— QUALIFYING TIME: The time for speculation, rumors and “I’m seriously considering it” ends this week, as candidates officially declare their intentions and qualify for the November ballot. Congress, a seat on the state Supreme Court, a spot on the Public Service Commission, and a plethora of judgeships and local offices will be on the line. State candidates qualify at the Louisiana State Archives on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, while local candidates qualify with the clerk of court in the parish where they are registered to vote. 

— CON-CON PUSH CONTINUES: Lane Grigsby is not giving up on his effort to convince the Legislature (more specifically the Senate) to launch a constitutional “refresh” in time for the November ballot. The retired construction magnate and prominent Republican donor told the Baton Rouge Press Club on Monday that most voters don’t understand the constitutional amendments they’re asked to consider each year, but he nonetheless argued that the largest electorate possible should vote on potential changes. He said he disagreed with Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson’s proposal to hold a special session focused only on Article VII, which he called an “inappropriate way to run a business.” Constitutional provisions that he said should be moved into a “super-statute” lawmakers can change with a two-thirds vote include those protecting retirement funding (which he said legislators wouldn’t want to take away anyway), the homestead exemption (which he argued locals should be able to tweak) and civil service (which he said is necessary but should not apply to the highest salaried workers). 

— LLA RAPS BOGALUSA: The Louisiana Legislative Auditor has reported several issues with the finances of Bogalusa’s city government, including former Mayor Wendy O’Quin Perrette’s decision to use $468,125 in American Rescue Plan funds to pay what the LLA says appear to be improper bonuses to city employees and officials. Current Mayor Tyrin Truong blamed the alleged problems—which also include possible violations of the Local Government Act and city charter, improper donations and leave payments, a flawed request for proposals process and a host of other matters—on the previous administration. “We will correct the previous administration’s deficiencies; however, we will not accept responsibility for their causation,” Truong wrote in response to the report. 

— NEW PODCAST: A fourth-time delegate to the Republican National Convention this week, state Rep. Mike Bayham is the guest for episode 67 of the LaPolitics Report podcast. (Spotify/Apple) While he’s backing former President Donald Trump this go around, Bayham on three other occasions supported candidates who weren’t the front-runners. “Oh, we got a lot of pressure,” Bayham said, reflecting on efforts to get him and others to switch sides. Bayham also covered convention basics, from how delegates were selected to exactly how much money it costs to be part of a party convention, and shared memories of two late elected officials that defined his St. Bernard Parish: state Sen. Lynn Dean and Parish President Junior Rodriguez. Plus, in our regular history segment, we hear the 1976 “Challenge” speech delivered by Ronald Reagan at that year’s Republican National Convention. Listen now on Spotify and Apple. 

— CONVENTIONS THROUGH THE YEARS: Woody Jenkins, who directs governmental affairs and external relations for Treasurer John Fleming, talks about attending his first Republican National Convention in 1964, and how the experience changed over the years, in an exclusive column for Wednesday’s edition of the Beltway Beat. The op-ed is part of our coverage from this year’s RNC in Milwaukee. 

— THE WEEK AHEAD: The Louisiana Tax Commission, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drone Advisory Committee are scheduled to meet on Wednesday. The Legislative Audit Advisory Council and the Gaming Control Board have meetings set for Thursday.