The 2023 legislative session ended with a wild finish as state lawmakers scrambled to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Even Governor John Bel Edwards does not know the specific details. But he knows the spending plan approved contains a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health…
Cut 10 (09) “…down stairs”
The 100-million dollar cut to LDH could multiply if what’s cut is tied to federal matching dollars.

Denham Springs Senator and former Livingston Parish School Superintendent Rogers Pope pleaded with his colleagues to reject the budget proposal because a two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise is not permanent and not enough…
Cut 13 (08) “…we need to do”
Despite Pope’s argument, the main budget bill passed overwhelmingly in both chambers.

Voting rights activists are encouraged by the U-S Supreme Court ordering the state of Alabam to redraw its congressional district map, because the nation’s highest court has determined that state should have two majority-minority districts…
cut 5 (06) “….in Louisiana”
Urban League of Louisiana Vice President of Policy Tyrone Walker is hopeful the U-S Supreme Court will also order Louisiana to redo its map. Republican lawmakers in Louisiana remain confident the map they drew passes constitutional muster.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is encouraging residents to take advantage of the annual Free Fishing weekend on Saturday and Sunday. It’s an opportunity to fish without the need of a license and L-D-W-F spokesperson Rene Lebreton says you also do not need a boat, there are plenty of places you can drive to and just drop a line…
cut 9 (10) “….interactive map”
Fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect this weekend.