Louisiana has a budget, but it cost more to get it
It took a costly special session, but Louisiana will enter the new fiscal year on July 1 with a budget in place.
Section Legislative Report
Lawmakers pass state budget in special session
A $28 billion-plus Louisiana operating budget won final legislative passage Friday, a week later than expected, after a stalemate in the spending negotiations forced lawmakers into a special session.
JBE to sign criminal justice overhaul into law
In a legislative session mired by budget feuds, tax disagreements and a divisive debate over Confederate monuments, Gov. John Bel Edwards had one major achievement: He convinced legislators to overhaul Louisiana’s criminal sentencing laws and its approach to prisoner rehabilitation.
State budget inches toward finish line
It would appropriate all forecasted revenue for fiscal year 2018, but instruct state agencies to refrain from spending a combined $60 million as a precaution against midyear shortfalls.
House GOP makes budget offer in special session
House Republican leaders made their initial offer Tuesday for a $28 billion-plus Louisiana operating budget, calling it a good-faith effort to broker a compromise in the limited days of the special session.
Signings turn bills into laws as special session begins
Bills by Coussan, Miguez signed by Edwards. Justice Reinvestment signings set for Wednesday
Special session is technically under way but no work starts until Monday
With four money bills left to address, the House will begin work on Monday. The Senate won’t return to work until Wednesday.
House leaders force special session by running out the clock
Speaker Taylor Barras said he was working as quickly as he could. If so, it was the worst display of clock management in Baton Rouge since Les Miles prowled the sidelines at Tiger Stadium.
Budget deal remains elusive in session’s final hours
A budget compromise offered on Thursday morning by Speaker Taylor Barras to Senate leaders offers hope for a budget agreement but it remains to be seen as to whether Barras can deliver the votes in his chamber to get the deal done.
Juvenile life sentence compromise passes House on second try
SB16 leaves Louisiana in violation of Supreme Court rulings on juvenile life but not as blatantly
Campus ‘free speech’ bill goes to JBE
House Bill 269, authored by Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, requires state institutes of higher education to state their support for the First Amendment and create a system of disciplinary sanctions for students who interfere with freedom of speech.
House rejects Senate changes to budget and construction bills. Differences few, but stark.
Resolution authorizes study of 15th JDC breakup
Sen. Dan Morrish’s SCR116 would authorize the Judicial Council to study the feasibility of splitting up one of the last three-parish JDCs in the state.
LSMSA, braiding bills face votes on Monday afternoon
Bills to rename the state’s premier high school and to deregulate natural hair braiding have stirred passions in the session. Both face key votes on Monday afternoon.
State money issues undecided with four days left in session
Defining ’irresponsible’ could decide budget, other money bills’ fate
’Scrip transparency bill heads to governor
The bill requires the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to create a website listing transparent pricing information for prescription drugs.
Senate rejects House changes in juvenile life without parole bill
House amendments in the SB16 would allow prosecutors to continue to seek life without parole sentences for juvenile offenders, leaving the state exposed to further court fights
Budget battle lines drawn as Senate Finance restores funding
Senate Finance Committee members voted to use 100 percent of the state’s projected revenue next year to restore funding cuts made by the House
Mills’ opioid bill clears final hurdle after Senate concurrence
Emerson hair braiding bill faces Senate amendments while Coussan’s LITE Center bill awaits governor’s signature
Special session looms as Senate Finance moves to amend HB1
With seven days remaining in the session, the Senate Finance Committee will begin taking votes on changes in HB1 on Thursday
Calendar now appears biggest foe of criminal justice reforms
Justice Reinvestment reform bills are slogging toward passage, but time is tight
Senate Finance agenda changes delay HB1 consideration
More than a dozen items were added to the committee’s agenda Tuesday evening, pushing back action on HB1 until Thursday
Schroder’s domestic violence bills win Senate approval
Stalking bill heads to governor for signature. House concurrence needed on protective order amendment.
Senate Finance to make HB1 changes on Wednesday, setting up Thursday Senate vote
After two weeks of hearings on the state budget bill approved by the House, the Senate Finance Committee will recommend its changes to the bill on Wednesday
Bill to rename LSMSA could be decided in House Education Committee on Wednesday
Local LSMSA alums join the fight over an attempt to rename the state’s premier public high school
Senate committee to consider two Confederate monuments bills on Wednesday
HB71 and SB198 will be considered by Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee.
The ghost of budget practices past
Senate Finance’s HB1 hearings reveal how much Bobby Jindal changed Louisiana’s budget priorities
‘Pro-Israel’ bill targeting investments gutted
The bill was part of a national conservative counter movement to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign working to boycott Israel for its actions toward Palestinians.
LDH: House cuts amount to $920 million
LDH says HB1 cuts would be irresponsible. Senate Finance will let public have its say on Saturday.
Juvenile life sentencing fix could actually make matters worse
House amendments to SB16 could lead to more suits over the state’s failure to comply with SCOTUS ruling on juvenile life sentences
Pierre’s higher ed ’ban the box’ bill wins House approval
HB688 cleared the House on Thursday somehow escaping Republican threats to kill all Justice Reinvestment task force bills in a dispute with Democrats
Bills that alter driver license acquisition advance
The Senate Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works moved three bills changing aspects of how one obtains a driver’s license in Louisiana, including how to deal with traffic cops, online courses and an additional fee.
This week in unnecessary: driver versus operator
The House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill that changes Louisiana’s legal definition of “school bus driver” to “school bus operator.”
Bill would make flood control a state priority
HB691 would create the Floodplain Evaluation and Management Commission to manage flood control efforts in the state
Repeal of tax credits for private school families falters
Private school families may be breathing a sigh of relief after legislation to repeal income tax credits and deductions for families with children attending nonpublic schools hit a roadblock in the House Ways and Means Committee.
Mills’ drug-pricing bill advances
The bill would require the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy to create a website that contains transparent pricing information for prescription drugs.
State police: Public safety threatened by cuts
A spokesman said state police will be forced to reduce overtime, which means fewer troopers on roads to respond to accidents and general crime.
Police training bill passes House
The bill's author hopes it will prevent unwanted interactions between police officers and arrestees, such as what occurred in Baton Rouge last July.
Campus ‘free speech’ bill falters
House Bill 269 would have required state institutions of higher learning to state their support for the First Amendment and create a system of disciplinary sanctions for students who interfere with invited speakers.
School assessment measure clears House
House Bill 517 by Rep. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, requires the state superintendent of education to annually submit a written report to the House and Senate education committees on every public and charter school for the next five years.
Senate Finance wades through details of HB1
The committee will meet on Sunday to continue the process that began on Tuesday
LSMSA alumni are fighting bid to rename their school after one of its founders
Shreveport Rep. Cedric Glover voluntarily withdrew his bill Thursday that would have prevented state colleges or universities from affixing their names or logos to an alcoholic beverage after having some fun in front of the House Education Committee.
Duson sales tax cap hike passes House committee
Mayor intends to seek voter approval for a penny for road improvements if bill becomes law
With three weeks left, Legislature breaks into a trot
The pace of activity in both chambers picked up this week as the time for action has shortened.
Bills upping minimum wage, protecting LGBTQ advance
Channeling the spirit of workplace reform, a Senate committee on Wednesday favorably moved two bills — one to ultimately increase the state’s minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, the other to enact a non-discrimination policy for Louisiana employees who identify as LGBTQ.
Senate prepares to approve Coastal Master Plan as funding questions linger
The CPRA’s plan carries a $50 billion price tag over 50 years. The state can only count on about $19 billion right now.
Pierre’s higher ed ’ban the box’ bill clears House Education Committee
HB122 would prohibit colleges and universities from asking about criminal backgrounds on initial applications
Justice Reinvestment bills advance after Edwards announces compromise with DAs
Focus shifts to House committee, floor votes today
Confederate monuments bill unlikely to have impact in Lafayette
HB71 unleashed a heated debate and a firestorm of criticism in Baton Rouge, but even if it becomes law, it will not likely affect Alfred Mouton’s statue
Civil Service bill raises questions about local bills and notifications
A bill by a north Louisiana legislator could affect Lafayette Fire Department seniority rules. The required public notice for the was paid for by the leader of the state’s firefighters’ association.
SB1 would rename LSMSA after school’s ’father’
SB1 by Sen. Francis Thompson would attach Jimmy D. Long, Sr.’s name to school
House committee countenances constitutional convention
The convention would offer proposals on government revenue and spending, and which areas should remain off-limits from cuts.
Agreement in principle reached on Justice Reinvestment legislation
Bills to reform Louisiana’s criminal justice system had mixed success last week, but that could change this week.
Senate Finance Committee to focus on HB1 beginning Tuesday
Sen. Eric Lafleur says committee will work through the weekend on state budget bill
Where’s Joel Robideaux when a governor needs him?
Rep. Cameron Henry believes Jindal and Edwards tax reform efforts failed due to rushed process, lack of clarity on how taxes would work.
The latest master plan, which is updated every five years, includes 124 projects that proponents say will build 802 square miles of land and reduce flood-related damage by $150 billion over 50 years.
La. House adds dating partners to domestic abuse law
Currently, state law only applies such cases of domestic abuse to family and household members.
Cameron Henry: Former outcast now shapes state budget
Bobby Jindal once ousted him from Appropriations Committee, Henry now clashes on budget issues with his former fiscal ally Governor Edwards
House votes to eliminate hardship driver’s license without ignition device
HB677 by Rep. Valerie Hodges would require ignition devices be used in order to get a hardship license after OWI arrest
Deregulation and delicensing of natural hair braiding wins House approval
Rep. Julie Emerson’s HB468 approved by large margin after lengthy debate
BESE targets ‘severely impacted’ school districts
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously moved Thursday to incorporate $18 million of legislative suggestions into its funding formula for Louisiana’s public schools next year, but not at the expense of other programs.
Bill to ’ban the box’ on college apps stumbles in House Education Committee
HB122 by Rep. Vincent Pierre was pulled without a vote. He hopes to bring the bill back before the committee next week.
Drug price transparency bill wins Senate approval
SB59 by Sen. Fred Mills would give healthcare providers direct access to wholesale drug prices
Bill would require warning signs ahead of all speed cams — including mobile units
SB154 by Sen. Troy Carter of New Orleans would require drivers be warned of presence of mobile speed camera units
Charter transparency bill nixed in House
The House Education Committee Wednesday rejected 9-3 a proposal that would allow parents of children in public charter school to know what educational experiments in their schools are working and which aren’t.
Technicality sinks ’sanctuary city’ bill
The Louisiana House of Representatives Tuesday narrowly killed a controversial bill that would have imposed penalties on so-called sanctuary cities, primarily New Orleans.
Death penalty bill, other criminal justice reforms face action on Wednesday
SB16 up for Senate debate, House committees to consider six Justice Reinvestment bills
House committee kills bill that would have eliminated need for concealed carry permit
Rep. Barry Ivey’s HB68 was involuntarily deferred by the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice on Wednesday morning
Lawmakers looking into prescription drug pricing
A set of bills moving through the state Legislature’s ongoing regular session would create new layers of disclosure in regard to prescription drug pricing in Louisiana.
House advances change to La. law that kept man from marrying
A bill that would amend Louisiana’s marriage law to allow foreign-born applicants to obtain a marriage license without producing a birth certificate has cleared its first legislative hurdle.
Child exploitation: when conscience meets budgets
A Senate bill to fight child exploitation is on a collision course with the budget passed last week by the House.
A funny thing happened on the way to the Senate
Effort to reform state’s film tax credit program rocked by communications issues
Speed cam prohibition fails in committee
A retired police chief representing the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police said the cameras do in fact slow traffic and lessen speed-related accidents by 80 percent.
HB444: Economic development tool or tax giveaway?
A proposed constitutional amendment by Rep. Alan Seabaugh would allow local governments to negotiate deals with private entities that would provide early access to revenue but reduce local government income once exemptions expire. Seabaugh calls it a tool
With HB1 approved, House attention turns to taxes and revenue
House Ways and Means Committee faces a long list of tax bills as it begins the week
Cortez’s SB57 would amend constitution to ban LSP funding with road dollars
Practice of using Transportation Trust Fund money to fund Louisiana State Police would end with voter approval
State VA says cuts could bury new vet cemeteries
Budget cuts to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs could lead to the closure of state-funded veterans’ cemeteries in Leesville and Rayville.
Edwards administration forecasts healthcare calamity if House LDH cuts stick
Cutting $234 million in LDH funding could lead to deep cuts in programs
Justice Reinvestment advocates dismayed, but undaunted by handling of amendments
LDAA amendments negotiated behind closed doors in contrast to Task Force’s year of transparent work.
Needle exchange bill clears House
Currently, state law prohibits any transaction involving drug paraphernalia, but gives an exception to products made for scientific research, medical or clinical use.
Confederate sympathizers descend on Capitol
Most demonstrators waved various Confederate and American flags and hailed from northern and central Louisiana.
Flood relief money for EBR diversion project stripped from HB1
House votes to strip attempt to spend HUD disaster relief money from state budget
The budget, the whole budget and nothing but the budget
With the Senate adjourned for the week, the House will debate and vote on seven funding bills today, including HB1.
Bishop pulls his tax election bill from consideration
Bill would have limited time between tax elections following voter rejections.
Senate committee amendments narrow focus of criminal reform bills to non-violent offenders
Changes reflect changes sought by district attorneys. Package still
DeVillier bill scrapping school lunch program as poverty indicator advances
HB130 would define and set
Gas tax hike still on session agenda
Some Republicans, with an eye to 2019, don’t want to give Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards the benefit of having orange barrels all over the state’s highways when he runs for re-election.
HB205 would also allow lifers who have been denied pardon to reapply after three years, instead of five.
Bills on stalking and protective orders face House votes on Monday
Rep. John Schroder’s HB499 and HB509 address aspects of Louisiana’s domestic violence problem
Bishop’s HB98 would increase funding for oilfield cleanup fund
Stuart Bishop’s bill would close severance tax exemption loophole in funding for Oilfield Site Restoration Fund
Appropriations Committee approves LDH cuts, leaves specifics to administration
Flood disaster relief for homeowners shifted to flood control project near Baton Rouge
Senate committee looks at return on investment among programs
The Senate Finance Committee discussed a bill Monday that aims to help states decide, based on objective data, which state programs deliver the best bang for the buck.
Solons consider spreading pain of budget cuts
The bill before the Senate Finance Committee removing the statutory mandate that state funds go to itemized state and local programs was held to allow the author additional time to build her case.
Rep. Emerson seeks to keep natural hair braiding unregulated
HB468 would keep state and local regulators our of natural braiders’ hair
State budget hits the House fast track today
HB1 slated for swift action in House Appropriations Committee today
Action! Bills seek to refocus film tax credits on supporting homegrown industry
Sen. Morrell’s bills would direct tax credits to Louisiana production companies and artists. Production outside of New Orleans also encouraged.
Quandary: What to do with animals abandoned after a natural disaster?
The House Committee on Agriculture Thursday moved a bill to the full House for debate that regulates how abandoned animals become wards of the state after declared emergencies.
Senate committee agrees to jettison some state museums
The Senate Education Committee on Thursday favorably reported to the full Senate a bill that would transfer five state museums — from New Orleans to Shreveport — to local jurisdictions, including one that never existed.
House OKs sunscreen for students
The Louisiana House overwhelmingly has agreed that public school students should be able to carry sunblock without a doctor's permission or their school's blessing.
Ethics exemption for top cop’s son wins House OK
Under the proposal, Louisiana's anti-nepotism laws would be rewritten to let the son of Col. Kevin Reeves continue working as a state trooper even though he hadn't been with the agency for a full year as required by ethics law.
Third week of fiscal-only session ends with no budget action
HB1 hits Appropriations on Monday, House floor by Thursday GOP leader says
Senate passes measure on juvie lifers
The bill makes juveniles convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole eligible for parole consideration 25 years after conviction.
“There are more prescriptions for opioids in Louisiana than there are people.”
LaFleur’s museum bill gets committee hearing Thursday
SB230 would remove five museums from control of Secretary of State
Perry bill would allow Duson to exceed sales tax limit
Mayor Johnny Thibodeaux says town would seek vote to dedicate revenue to street improvements
Three criminal justice reform bills slated for floor votes on Thursday
House to consider Rep. Terry Landry’s HB615. Senate to consider bills to kill death penalty and to reform of habitual offender law.
Raft of bills floated to aid TOPS
Everything from post-graduate residency requirements to increased GPA requirements to eliminating its dedicated funding have been offered.
Irreconcilable House defeats divorce bill
The Louisiana House of Representatives Tuesday defeated 44-52 a bill to shorten waiting periods for couples seeking a no-fault divorce.
Plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons to square off over Cortez bill
SB194 positioned as free speech issue while the real fight is over money and turf
Miguez, Cortez bills up for floor debate in House and Senate today
Legislators moving non-controversial legislation in advance of budget fight
Bill would merge school retirement systems
Senate Retirement Committee Monday favorably sent to the full Senate a bill that would incorporate the Louisiana School Employees’ Retirement System into the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana.
Cortez wants LPSS to use sales tax revenue to access USDA funds
Bill would enable LPSS to use sales tax revenue to access USDA school funding.
Rep. Emerson’s bill aims to create Acadiana High prestige license plate
HB28 one of five prestige license plate-related bills to be considered today.
Senate approves Mills’ opioids, LDH professional boards bills
Sen. Fred Mills’ SB55 and SB75 head to the House for consideration.
Coussan’s bill to transfer LITE to UL wins unanimous House approval
Bill to transfer LITE ownership and control to UL Lafayette heads to the Senate.
Criminal justice reform package delayed
Justice Reinvestment bills will not be considered by Senate Judiciary C on Tuesday. Death penalty elimination bill will be considered.
Coussan’s LITE bill due for House consideration Monday
Bill abolishes governing board and transfers ownership to UL Lafayette
House Republicans seeking no-growth budget
House Republican leaders may propose a budget for the coming year. that would hold funding at current levels, according to reports. What that budget would look like and what cuts it would entail should begin to emerge today.
Vermilion, West Cote Blanche bays projects added to coastal Master Plan
Shoreline protection projects added in response to public input
Brew-haha erupts over university-branded beers
A contentious proposal in the Louisiana House of Representatives by a Shreveport lawmaker would prohibit a state institution of higher learning from allowing its name or symbol to be affixed to an alcoholic beverage.
Basinkeeper: CRPA plans benefit a few millionaires
From 1932 to 2000, nearly 2.5 billion cubic centimeters of sediment have piled up in the Atchafalaya River Basin, as shown here at the base of a cypress tree.Photo by Dean Wilson Mere hours befor
With federal funds flowing, Restore Louisiana Task Force meets Friday
Funding from HUD to help homeowners cover a portion of their costs of recovering from the 2016 floods has arrived. The process for distributing it is in place.
Computer science as … science?
A resolution asking the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to allow computer science courses to count as science credits has moved on to full House debate.
Proposed gas tax hike set at 17 cents
By increasing the gas tax by 17 cents, the additional cost to the average Louisiana driver would be approximately $113 per year — less than $10 a month.
Public pushes for programs at cash-strapped Capitol
The House Committee on Appropriations Tuesday was filled with stories of hardship and passion as advocates for disability services and health care programs dominated the first day of open testimony on Gov. John Bel Edwards’ executive budget.
Senate committees focus on flood response and Ethics Board nominations
The Senate Select Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee will meet separately Wednesday in sessions available via streaming video.
Rep. Mike Huval’s insurance bills set for hearings
Three bills by the Breaux Bridge insurance agent will be heard by the House Insurance Committee Wednesday.
Miguez’s HB75 seeks to contain costs of small estate successions
Rep. Blake Miguez of Erath wants to lower the cost of accessing death certificates for those involved in estate succession valued at under $75,000.
2017 Coastal Master Plan: deciding who gets left behind
South Louisiana’s existential crisis collided with the inexorable math Tuesday afternoon in a Senate committee.
It would dissolve Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise’s governing commission and hand ownership and operating responsibilities to UL Lafayette.
JBE’s CAT bill hits as budget hearings begin
Can a Louisiana Democrat restore fiscal stability using Ohio Republicans' plan?
Slate of bills would chip away at state tax breaks
The Louisiana Senate will consider proposals to whittle away at Louisiana's tax break programs to keep more money in the state treasury for spending.
Measure aims to expand definition of ‘auto-injector’
Intent is to make epinephrine more accessible to families of modest means after pharma company jacked up price of its EpiPen — the only such delivery means available to Louisianans.
Bill would nix hunting gear, ATVs from special tax break
Several types of hunting equipment – including ATVs, apparel and accessories – may no longer be tax-free during the Annual Louisiana Second Amendment Weekend Holiday
Perry’s SB86 gets a hearing today
Could this be a way to allow Vermilion Parish governments to sever their ties with 15th JDC District Attorney Keith Stutes?
Session off to slow start; here’s your preview
Legislators return to Baton Rouge for the first full week of the 2017 regular session after the Easter break, but don’t expect them to plunge into the heavy lifting of budget writing just yet.
Edwards goes on defensive against GOP tax pushback
Battling strong sentiment against his tax package, Gov. John Bel Edwards wants to intensify the heat on his Republican critics about the need for tax reform to stabilize Louisiana’s budget.
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