District 36 Senator Ryan Gatti has spent the past several weeks visiting schools and meeting with constituents in preparation for 2018.
“Our teachers are feeling the stress and weight of heavy testing and constant change from the state as one of the biggest obstacles in the classroom,” said Gatti, who, at the very beginning of his term, promised to visit every school in his district — 37 total — within his first two years of taking office.
He was able to keep that promise, visiting students and teachers on their own turf to answer questions and talk about the concerns for the future of Louisiana’s educational system.
“It was important to me to visit and speak with teachers, face to face,” said Gatti. “To really get a firm grasp on the struggles that they, as teachers, go through on a daily basis in their classrooms, especially with all the changes happening in the state.”
Gatti also talked with his youngest constituents about the importance of representative democracy, consensus and compromise, and what it’s like to be a state legislator. He engaged students in a participatory program about the legislature and presented each school with a Louisiana State Flag, as well as an American Flag.
Before his second anniversary in office, Gatti held 29 town hall meetings throughout his district, attended police jury meetings in Bossier Parish, Webster Parish, Claiborne Parish, and Bienville Parish, and visited schools as part of his effort to spread awareness about the legislature and issues of import to the region.
“When I ran for this office, I made a promise to my district that I would hold town hall meetings on a regular basis, hear concerns and answer questions, but most of all to be held accountable,” said Senator Gatti. “These meetings and visits with my constituents are part of that promise.”
At his town hall meetings and various police jury meetings, Senator Gatti discussed the ongoing budget issues, recapped the 2017 legislative sessions, and provided an outlook for our state’s—and our community’s—future.
“I look forward to these town halls with members of the community,” said Senator Gatti. “I always encourage my constituents to let me know their opinions on what is happening down in Baton Rouge and ideas on proposed legislation. I remind them that I am their employee—they are the boss.”
He went on to say, “The 2017 legislative sessions were some of the most contentious in Louisiana’s history and the budget picture going forward is not looking any less complicated. I value each individual’s input as I continue to work in the best interests of Senate District 36.”
If your school, VFW post or church needs a new Louisiana State Flag or American Flag, please call Senator Gatti’s office at 318-746-0861.