Plan for 13th Metro Council Member Draws Opposition

A series of public meetings is being held across East Baton Rouge Parish to gauge voters’ reaction to far-ranging proposed changes in the City-Parish Plan of Government.

So far, one of the most significant changes — adding a 13th Metro councilman elected parishwide — doesn’t seem to be getting much traction.

Metro Councilman Dwight Hudson told the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon that support for the proposal is lukewarm at best among Metro Council members.

At present, voters elect 12 Metro Council members from 12 single-member districts.  The council has a 7 to 5 Republican majority, although members don’t follow a party line.  The 13th council member would be elected parishwide, which would be contrary to one-man, one-vote.  Hudson said the dominant group parishwide would choose this new Super Council member, thereby giving the dominant group an extra vote.