In response to Senator-elect John Kennedy’s comment that the governor hasn’t done enough to secure federal flood aid, Governor John Bel Edwards sent a letter to Kennedy, bringing him up to speed. The Governor’s Communications Director Richard Carbo says the first round of aid was approved with unprecedented speed, but they understand Kennedy is new to this.
Cut 7 (10) “flood recovery”
Carbo says the letter outlined the efforts made by the administration, as well as the process by which federal funds are approved.
Former Governor Edwin Edwards is in the hospital with another bout of pneumonia. His wife Trina says the 89-year-old has been having trouble with this infection for a while. She says it seems every winter about this time Edwards comes down with it.
Cut 12 (07) “it was”
The state’s income forecasting panel has decided to delay the state’s reduced budget outlook for this fiscal year. The income projections were expected to be dismal, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the delay is irresponsible.
Cut 15 (11) “to cut”
The latest estimates show the state is facing a shortfall of more than $600 million. Dardenne says the wait gives agencies less time to deal with inevitable cuts.
The mental healthcare reform bill by US Senator Bill Cassidy has been signed into law by the president. The 21st Century Cures Act seeks to give mentally ill individuals more access to treatment, as well as giving family members more access to their loved ones doctors. Cassidy says this new law marks the beginning of serious mental health reform and it will help millions of people affected by mental illness become whole.