The 2020 US Census is in its final months, but the Bayou State is in danger of being undercounted due to lack of response. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Local governments across the state are suffering big budget shortfalls and the Louisiana Municipal Association says cities and towns are going to need more federal aid before the end of the year. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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Governor Edwards feels the latest metrics are encouraging, indicating the state is trending in the right direction in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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As the deadline to complete the 2020 Census looms, the Bayou State is falling short in responses, which could put the state in danger of losing future funding and possible representation in Congress. U-S Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says the national response rate to the Census is 64-percent and Louisiana is at 58-percent.
Cut 4 (12)“ ..ten years.”
Ross says if your community is 5-percent undercounted it could be a loss of $15 million over the next decade.
Being undercounted could adversely affect funding for schools, roads, and hospitals and Ross says it could also affect Congressional representation.
Cut 5 (09) “…that seat.”
You are required by law to answer the Census and Ross says the questionnaire takes 10 minutes to complete, if you do not, you will be personally visited by a Census worker.
Cut 6 (12) “…send it in.”
Census enumerators take a lifelong oath of office and it is a Federal Offense to reveal any personal information obtained during the Census.
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Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin gave emotional and at times teary-eyed testimony at a Senate Committee Thursday over his controversial fall election plan that rolls back the summer’s mail-in balloting options.
Governor Edwards has outright rejected the plan on public health grounds. Ardoin says his plan needs Legislative and Executive support to be implemented or it will head to the courts…
Cut 7 (08) “…this plan.”
Under Ardoin’s the only COVID-related reason for requesting an absentee ballot is if you test positive for the virus during early voting or before Election Day. Edwards says that makes no consideration for those susceptible to the virus, or those ordered to quarantine.
Ardoin says he wishes the Legislature and Governor would agree to a compromise and accept another plan, but until then he feels this proposal has the best chance to be implemented.
Cut 8 (07) “…passed”
There are 74 days until the November Presidential Election and Ardoin says the state can’t afford a protracted partisan dispute over election rules.
Cut 9 (13) “my state”
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The Louisiana Municipal Association calls on Congress to include aid to struggling local governments in the next pandemic relief package.
Ruston Mayor Ronny Walker says they’ve been hammered by dual disasters in last year’s tornado and the pandemic. To survive this period they need federal aid.
Cut 10 (10) “…this.”
The National League of Cities estimates 90 percent of municipalities will not be able to meet their budgets. Preliminary figures show a 20-30 percent loss of sales tax revenue nationwide and a 13 percent decline in overall revenue for the current fiscal year.
Woodworth Mayor David Butler says small towns like his are already are tight budgets with little room to cut. They’ve seen a 10-12 percent drop in sales tax revenue, and declining franchise fees.
Cut 11 (10) “…already”
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter expects sales tax revenue to be down 6-12 percent, and gaming revenue, which makes up a large portion of the budget, to be down by up to 15 percent.
Cut 12 (07) “…Lake Charles.”
In Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn says he’s worried about a 20 million dollar shortfall they are facing. He says it is largely due to declining sales tax revenue which makes up 70 percent of the budget.
Cut 13 (12) “badly”
The Louisiana Legislative Auditor in May estimated 1.1 billion dollars in lost local sales tax revenue.
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Governor Edwards feels the latest metrics are showing the state is trending in the right direction in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. The state overall has seen its daily percentage of positive tests drop below 10 percent. Broken down by region, Edwards says four out of nine are testing below that mark.
Cut 14 (11) “…of the state”
On Thursday, the state reported the largest single-day drop in COVID hospitalizations in three months as the total falls to 1,087, down by 73, and marks the first time since July 9th it has been below 1100. Edwards says the state has come a long way since the peak hospitalization of 1600 in the last week of July.
Cut 15 (11) “…we currently do”
With colleges now open across the state, Edwards says it is vital to be transparent and as timely as possible with the accurate reporting of COVID data.
Cut 16 (06) “…by those institutions.”
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Saints Safety Malcom Jenkins is trying to win his third Super Bowl ring as he begins his second stint with the Black and Gold. New Orleans drafted Jenkins in 2009 and he won a Super Bowl to cap off his rookie season. He also won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia in 2017. Jenkins says there’s enough talent on this Saints team to win the Lombardi Trophy
cut 17 (21) “…and grow”
The chemistry of the Saints was challenged in the offseason when Quarterback Drew Brees said he could never agree with anyone who did not stand for the national anthem. Brees later apologized for those comments and Jenkins, who originally said he was hurt by Brees’ comments, says his discussions with Brees brought the team closer
Cut 18 (15) “…no exception”
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After watching the Big 10 and PAC 12 suspend football to the fall, LSU safety Jacoby Stevens is cherishing the opportunity to play. Stevens credits Shelly Mullenix, LSU’s Health and Wellness Coordinator for putting a plan in place so the Tigers can take the field next month…
cut 19 (15) “…their system”
Stevens says he’s been impressed with rookie tight end Arik Gilbert, who was the nation’s number one tight end coming out of high school
cut 20 (20) “ at you”