Lawrence A. Bagley Jr. (born January 4, 1949),[1] known as Larry Bagley, is a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 7, which encompasses Caddo, DeSoto, and Sabine parishes in northwestern Louisiana. In January 2016, he succeeded outgoing Republican Representative Richard Burford, an unsuccessful candidate against the Conservative Democrat John Milkovich for the District 38 seat in the Louisiana State Senate in the general election held on November 21, 2015.
Lawrence A. "Larry" Bagley, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Representative for District 7 (Caddo, DeSoto, and Sabine parishes) | |
| Assumed office January 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Burford |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 4, 1949 Longstreet, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 7, including two foster sons |
| Parent(s) | Lawrence and Sally Bagley |
| Residence(s) | Logansport, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Baptist Christian College Stephen F. Austin State University |
| Occupation | Businessman; insurance agent retired educator |
Political life
editIn the primary election held on October 24, 2015, Bagley with 5,531 votes (52.8 percent) defeated two other Republicans, Robert S. "Steve" Casey, who received 2,775 votes (26.5 percent), and Perry D. McDaniel, who polled 2,170 votes (20.7 percent).[2]
In 2016, Bagley joined a House bipartisan majority to enact a one-cent increase in the state sales tax.[3]
Attempt to end automobile inspection stickers
editIn April 2017, Representative Bagley proposed legislation which would halt most automobile inspection stickers required annually since 1961 on all vehicles in Louisiana. Bagley's bill would limit inspections to student transportation and commercial vehicles and would not impact the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge, which are required under the Clean Air Act of 1963 to conduct specialized inspections for vehicle emissions, Displayed on windshields, the stickers are considered proof that the inspections was conducted.[4]
On May 15, 2017, the House Transportation Committee, citing skepticism for Bagley's legislation by the Louisiana State Police, tabled the bill. Bagley claimed that the legislation would end what he called a $6 million per year industry in fraudulent stickers. Representative Terry Landry, a former state police superintendent from Lafayette Parish, said that he thought ending inspections would be "sacrificing safety. I just fundamentally disagree with your bill."[5]
As the issue played out, lobbyists representing those who perform the inspections also lined up against Bagley's proposal. These businesses make nearly half of their overall income from the inspections. Bagley favored adding the inspection fee to one's motor vehicle registration. However, the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 places a cap on the amount of that fee. Hence the proposed change would require a constitutional amendment to adjust the vehicle registration fee structure. Bagley vowed, assuming that he is reelected in 2019, to bring back the matter in the 2021 economic session of the legislature. Bagley said that he wants to hire 150 new state troopers with money that the state spends on the inspections.[6]
Louisiana hence remains one of thirteen states with motor vehicle inspection laws.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Lawrence Bagley, January 1949". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved October 26, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- ^ "State House of Representatives Vote to Increase Sales Tax". KEEL. February 25, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
- ^ "No more vehicle inspection stickers, Louisiana lawmaker proposes". New Orleans Times-Picayune. April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- ^ a b Will Sentell (May 15, 2017). "Bid to repeal Louisiana's motor vehicle inspection law killed by House committee". The Baton Rouge Advocate. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ Erin McCarty (May 23, 2019). "Inspection Stickers Not Going Away in Louisiana". KEEL Radio in Shreveport. Retrieved May 26, 2019.