The debate in the House Governmental Affairs Committee over a congressional map with one majority-minority district has been going on all day. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ measure would most likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives, upsetting Black lawmakers who want two majority-minority districts.
Baton Rouge Senator Denise Marcelle asked Morris why should Republicans have such a huge advantage in determining who represents the state in Congress when only a third of the registered voters are registered Republican.
The map was amended, so it would need to go back to the Senate once approved by the House.
A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.
But Womack says the K-through-12 education funding formula is fully funded and there is 420-million dollars for early childhood education.
The end of inspection stickers in Louisiana is now just Governor Landry’s expected signature away from becoming official. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, who authored House Bill 1085, says that ten-dollar inspection sticker will be replaced with a six-dollar QR code that you place on your windshield.
Cut 10 (05) “…color, I think.”
And that information can only be read by special equipment available to law enforcement.