Gov. Edwards Opposes Incorporation Of St. George, New SE School District

When then-Rep. John Bel Edwards was running for governor in October 2015, he agreed to answer a number of policy questions posed by the Central City News. Two of those questions dealt with the proposed City of St. George and the proposed Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System.

Regarding the proposed Southeast Baton Rouge Community School System, Edwards was clear and forthright: He opposes it.

With respect to the proposed City of St. George, his answer was nuanced. He said he supports the right of voters in St. George to vote on whether to incorporate “as long as the requirements of law are met.”

As governor, he received the certified petitions from the Secretary of State’s office and had the obligation to call the election on incorporation. The governor took the position that his staff needed to review all the petitions, instead of simply accepting the certification from the Secretary of State. As a result, he delayed calling the election for several weeks. Nevertheless, he did eventually call the election for Oct. 12.

Earlier this year, at the behest of East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, Gov. Edwards formally came out and announced his opposition to St. George becoming a city.

If voters approve the incorporation of the City of St. George, Edwards will have the responsibility of appointing the first officials from among those nominated by legislators representing St. George. They will serve about six months until a special election can be called.