![Governor Edwards Attends Republican Hosted Retreat](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2015/11/Louisiana-State-Capitol-Photo-by-Chris-GraythenGetty-Images1.jpg?w=300&h=200&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Governor Edwards Attends Republican Hosted Retreat
It might sound surprising that Louisiana's new Governor, Democrat John Bel Edwards, spent time at a Republican hosted event in Lafayette. Then it always sound surprising to we the people when it appears that our elected officials are putting party preferences aside to actually discuss solutions that matter to the people of our state.
Yes, that is an opinion. Yes, I am cynical. Yes, I hope that these men and women will stop being Democrats and Republicans and remember that they are citizens of Louisiana elected to help all of the people of our state. Please stop thinking about power for your party and return the power to the people. Okay, I am off my soapbox.
The retreat, held in Lafayette on Monday, was supposed to be a gathering of learned men and women ready to discuss and entertain ideas for a solution to the budget crisis the state is currently in. University of Louisiana Political Science Professor Pearson Cross told the Louisiana Radio Network that this kind of bi-partisan gathering is really not that unusual.
The governor needs all the help he's going to get and there aren't enough Democrats to help him. So, he's got to go where the help is.
Cross said that in the Republican controlled legislature the only way for Edwards' plans to get the support they need is by enlisting the aid and support of GOP members of the House and Senate.
To get his proposals any air, he has to get some Republican votes and I think he knows that very clearly.
So, was there any big Earth shattering bi-partisan agreement reached at this retreat? We won't really know until later this month when the legislature is called into special session to deal with the budget crisis. Then we will know if Edwards' attempt to reach across the aisle actually made a difference.
Until it all starts to play out, in terms of legislation filed and so on, we're just not going to have much of an idea where it's really going to come out.
More From 97.3 The Dawg
![You’ll Soon Be Able to Purchase an LSU Women’s Basketball National Championship License Plate](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2023/08/attachment-Untitled-design2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Is Your Bed Pointing the Right Direction for a Good Night’s Sleep?](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2016/01/RS1697_64737-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Iowa Governor Pays Up on National Championship Bet, Sends 1,250 Pounds of Pork to Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-1479181587-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson Stepping Down Ahead of Expected Run for Governor](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/04/dotd_secretary_Shawn_Wilson-e1470780474384.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor John Bel Edwards’ Hometown Gets Roasted on Social Media Over New City Welcome Sign](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2023/02/attachment-Amite-City-Sign-.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Secretary of State Bans TikTok on Department-Issued Devices, Urges Governor Edwards to Do the Same](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2022/12/attachment-GettyImages-1227952185.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor Edwards Declares State of Emergency Following Devastating Storms](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2022/12/attachment-Untitled-design2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor Edwards Tests Positive for COVID-19](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2020/05/GettyImages-577085160.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Governor John Bel Edwards on Roe v. Wade](http://townsquare.media/site/34/files/2021/12/attachment-GettyImages-592215710.jpg?w=980&q=75)