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Update, 1:30 p.m.:

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Reynolds, of Minden, announced to his colleagues Monday that he plans to step down from his position as leader of the chamber's minority party.

"I have another life. I have so many things at home that that's where I need to be," Reynolds told The Advocate. The head of the caucus is required to travel the state, help out fellow Democratic officials, and find candidates for races.

Reynolds said his announcement was more of an early warning as he plans to serve as chairman for the 41-member caucus in the 105-member House through the end of this session and a special session, if called.

Reynolds was criticized for not voting on the controversial bill that would have blocked the removal of Confederate monuments. But he said those wounds have healed and Democrats have rallied around the need to get a reasonable state spending plan passed and to get better representation for moderates on the two House money committees.

He doesn't know if any other representative is interested in taking over the caucus duties.

Original story:

Democrats in the state House are continuing to try to block a must-pass construction spending bill to gain leverage with the Republican majority over other issues.

Democrats have stopped passage of House Bill 3, which authorizes the state Bond Commission to sell the bonds needed to finance the construction projects. The Legislature normally passes HB3 without fuss because it includes projects in so many members districts.

HB3 requires at least 70 votes, which gives the 41-member Democratic caucus leverage in the 105-member House. Democrats are asking for better representation on the Appropriations Committee which writes the first version of the budget and Ways and Means which handles tax measures. Democrats want 40 percent of the seats on the two committees, in line with their 40 percent representation in the House.

House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, indicated Monday that the House Republican leadership plans to try to sidestep the Democrats by amending HB3 onto House Bill 2, which lists the projects to be funded. Democrats question whether the Constitution allows such a maneuver.

Four senior Democrats met with Barras on Friday morning to present their requests. Later that day, Barras told reporters that he was noncommittal about what the Democrats are seeking.

Reynolds said that view was inaccurate. He is seeking a commitment from the GOP House leadership to allow more Democrats and more moderate Republicans a place on House Appropriations and House Ways & Means committees. Both panels are stacked with very conservative Republicans who routinely oppose any legislation that would raise revenues.

"How are we ever going to do tax reform if we never get any of those bills out of committee," Reynolds said. "We've got to stop this madness. We've got to get something done."

The Democrats also want more spending on government services.

Democrats in the state House blocked a must-pass spending bill Wednesday in an attempt to fo

The House is expected today to take up the Senates version of House Bill 1, the general spending bill for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. The House already passed its version of HB1 that the Senate has amended. The House will be deciding whether to approve or reject the Senates version, which takes the $206 million that the House Republican majority kept in reserve and spends it on education, public health care, prisons and pay raises for state employees.

Reynolds said House Democrats want the House to approve the Senates version, which would require at least 53 votes in the 105-member House.

If the House rejects HB1, House and Senate leaders will have to meet to try to settle on a final version that both sides can accept. Failure to reach a deal on HB1 and HB3 by 6 p.m. Thursday, when the regular legislative session ends, would force a special session that would begin 30 minutes later.

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Scholarships from the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students appears to be safe from cuts i

Follow Tyler Bridges on Twitter, @tegbridges.

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House Democrats seek leverage on spending, make-up of money committees - The Advocate