Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is down under sharing Louisiana’s flavor in an effort to get to Aussies to visit the Sportsman’s Paradise. Teiko Foxx has the story.
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The Governor signs into law a bill requiring all high school kids to take and pass a financial literacy course. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has been in the land down under for a little over a week to promote international travel to the Bayou State. Nungesser says the mission is to build relationships to get Aussies to see what we have to offer.
In 2019 prior to the pandemic, more than 38,000 people from Australia generated over $62 million in visitor spending. Australia is a top 15 market of origin for people coming to visit Louisiana. Nungesser says this opens a door to promote the state internationally.
He met with The All-Black Team – New Zealand’s most successful rugby team – about Louisiana being a host state for the Rugby World Cup which will be held in the U.S. in 2031 and 2033. Nungesser says the visit isn’t just about tourism.
Louisiana is one of three states to receive a grant for $300,000 for the next three years from the International Commerce Department to market international travel to the U-S. Nungesser along with representatives from New Orleans and Lafayette will return on Saturday.
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Governor Edwards has signed into law a bill that will require that all Louisiana high school juniors and seniors take and pass a financial literacy course. The bill was authored by Tangipahoa Parish Rep. Nicholas Muscarello, who says it’s a good step forward for kids, who are Louisiana’s future…:
Cut 6 (09) “…in financial litaracy.”
Louisiana will now become the 22nd state to institute such a financial literacy program for students. Muscarello says our state ranks dead last for financial literacy, so the idea is to get young people schooled up on skills they will definitely need as they move into adult life…:
Cut 7 (10) “…what that entails.”
Muscarello’s HB 103, now Act 267 of state statutes, requires students to take and pass the one-unit course; either in their 11th-grade or 12th-grade year. Under the new law, students who do not pass the course will not be able to graduate and will be ineligible for TOPS college tuition grants. Muscarello explains why…:
Cut 8 (08) “…financial literacy.”
The new law goes into effect at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year.
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Governor Edwards has signed legislation to create an office to advocate on behalf of children under the care of the Department of Children and Family Services and the Office of Juvenile Justice. Bill author Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says the Office of State Child Ombudsman will be an independent office serving under the Legislative Auditor’s Office.
Cut 9 (07) “…intended it to be.”
Both agencies have been under fire after three children died despite warnings to DCFS and multiple escapes from the OJJ. Barrow says the bill received unanimous support and Louisiana joins 38 other states that have such an office.
Barrow says the office will also assist parents or individuals who are facing accusations of child abuse or endangerment. The Child Ombudsman Office will help those parents navigate the system.
Cut 11 (11) “…falsely accused.”
Barrow says several child advocacy groups assisted with the legislation and the office is expected to be in effect in a few months.
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Louisiana Department of Health officials provided lawmakers with information on what a 100-million dollar cut in state funding will mean to the state agency. L-D-H Secretary Stephen Russo told the Senate Health and Welfare Committee says he left the capitol on the final day of the session believing his state agency was in good financial shape
Cut 12 (08) “…honest with you”
As part of a budget compromise between the House and Senate, legislative leaders decided to cut 100-million dollars from the budget. Russo says the cut could be deeper than 100-million dollars when you figure in matching dollars from the federal government…
L-D-H provided legislators a list of programs that would be impacted by the cuts. It includes a 31-million dollar cut to community behavioral health services. Assistant Secretary of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says thousands of Medicaid recipients would lose outpatient treatment for mental health and substance abuse, which could be detrimental…
It’s expected Governor Edwards will restore the funding through the use of his line item veto authority.