Editorial: A Town Hall in Name Only

Published by CO₂ Chronicles

Today, we learned that legislators led by Phillip R. DeVillier and Mike Johnson have announced a “Legislative Update Town Hall” — scheduled for tomorrow, September 22, 2025, at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM.

Less than 24 hours’ notice.
 On a weekday.
 Smack in the middle of the workday.

Let’s ask the obvious questions:

• Why would lawmakers call something a “town hall” yet schedule it at a time when the vast majority of working citizens cannot attend?
  
  
• Why would they give barely a day’s notice? Was this meeting planned overnight — or have they been keeping it quiet until the last possible moment?
  
  
• Why Pineville? Why Louisiana Christian University? Is this location chosen to ensure convenience for the legislators and inconvenience for the citizens?
  
  
• Why hide the ball if this is truly about transparency and open conversation with the people they claim to represent?
  
  

The answer is staring us in the face: this isn’t about an honest exchange with Louisiana residents. This is about control. This is about checking a box. This is about being able to say, “We held a town hall,” without ever truly allowing the public to participate.

A real town hall invites debate. A real town hall seeks community voices. A real town hall is scheduled at a time and place that working families can actually attend.

This — whatever this is — is not that.

It reeks of a hidden agenda. When you rush a meeting, limit notice, and schedule it for when the people are at work, it is because you don’t want the people there.

So, Louisiana citizens, here is the call to action:

• If your legislator is on this list, demand answers immediately. Call. Email. Show up.
  
  
• If you can make it to Pineville tomorrow, go. Don’t go silent — go loaded with questions, with facts, with the power of being the people they serve.
  
  
• If you cannot attend, don’t let this slip by unnoticed. Spread the word. Make it clear that this charade of a “town hall” is unacceptable.
  
  

We should not have to beg for transparency. We should not have to hunt down our representatives to get straight answers. These men and women are elected to serve us — not deceive us.

And I say this with amazement, but not surprise: once again, the people of Louisiana are treated as an obstacle, not as the sovereign voice of this state.

Tomorrow is not just a meeting. It’s a test.
 Let’s see whether our legislators are ready to face the people — or whether this was always meant to be theater.

👉 At CO₂ Chronicles, we will keep shining light on these backdoor tactics and holding leaders accountable. If you believe Louisiana deserves transparency, subscribe and share our work. Together, we can make sure these stories are never buried.