Every student would be guaranteed that at least part of their TOPS scholarship would be funded if lawmakers have to make some cuts to the program, under a bill nearing final passage. Hammond Representative Chris Broadwater says it would be better to reduce the award for all than to cut some 13-thousand students out of the program…
CUT 5 (12) “this year”
The bill has one more stop in the Senate before heading to the governor’s desk.

Governor Edwards has signed the Blue Lives Matter Bill into law, which makes Louisiana the first in the nation to expand its hate crime laws to protect police, firefighters and EMS crews. The new law allows prosecutors to seek tougher penalties against individuals who intentionally target first responders because of their profession.

A Senate-approved measure that would let patients see physical therapists without a doctor’s referral receives the support of the House as it nears final passage. But West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says patients should see a doctor before seeing physical therapists, because doctors have more medical training. He says if physical therapists missed something in a diagnosis, they could seriously injure that person.
cut 10 (05) “real problem”
But Ville Platte Representative Harvey LeBas aruged physical therapists have the necessary training…
cut 12 (08) “…disease states”
The measure passed on a 65-33 vote in the House and heads back to the Senate for concurrrence on House Language.

The House has approved a bill that would require cursive writing to be taught in public schools. The Senate still has to agree to House changes. Under the proposed law, the cursive writing requirement would go in effect for the 2017-18 school year.