Multiple State Legislatures Conclude 2026 Sessions Amid Redistricting Fights and Budget Debates

Louisiana's Legislature adjourned its 2026 Regular Session after roughly 85 days, during which lawmakers considered more than 2,500 bills and sent over 900 to Governor Jeff Landry, including a $47 billion budget and a new congressional election map following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. The session opened in March with Landry urging judicial reform, particularly changes to the Orleans Parish court system. Separately, Minnesota's Legislature completed its work on time, meeting its constitutional deadline after Governor and legislative leaders reached a last-minute budget deal. In Louisiana, the budget reduced or eliminated $2,000 and $1,000 stipends for public school teachers and support staff after a constitutional amendment to fund them failed at the ballot, and lawmakers also weakened certain government transparency laws, according to one publisher; these specific claims were not independently corroborated by a second outlet. A House bill to impose two-term limits on Louisiana governors, sponsored by Rep. Mike Bayham, passed 74-23 after two earlier attempts failed, and would require voter approval in November if it clears the full Legislature. Lawmakers also advanced a tax rebate plan intended to attract aerospace companies with promised investments and at least 200 full-time jobs. Minnesota's budget deal included a minimum-wage exemption for minor-league baseball players and a 26-week extension of unemployment benefits for laid-off iron miners. In Indiana, Governor Mike Braun said he and his family were among several Republican officials who received threats, including swatting incidents, amid pressure from President Trump for the state to redraw its congressional maps; Indiana State Police said they were investigating alongside federal and local law enforcement, though no arrests or identified suspects have been confirmed. Braun's legislative session followed a contentious start tied to a December redistricting vote, and separate coverage noted former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard entering the Secretary of State race as an independent. Louisiana's congressional map changes stemming from the Callais decision and the status of its term-limits amendment on the November ballot remain pending final legislative and voter action, and the extent of the reported Louisiana transparency law changes remains unresolved.