A CDC report reveals Louisiana has seen a massive spike in suicides since 1999. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Connor Ferrill”
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The man in charge of the state’s prison system says over 10-thousand inmates could be released unless additional revenue is not raised. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m I’m Jeff Palermo”
Cut 6 (08) “to deliver”
Leblanc says without the proper facilities and professionals to take care of Louisiana patients with mental illnesses, they often end up treating the symptoms of their disease at places that aren’t equipped to handle them.
Cut 7 (10) “to that”
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US Congressman Garret Graves says they’re one step closer to a massive reform of the way the feds handle flooding and hurricane protection projects. The 2018 Water Resources and Development Act would allow local governments to take over funds for the execution of protection projects from the Corps of Engineers. Graves says this could help knock out the 100 billion dollar backlog of protection projects.
cut 8 (11) “for decades.”
Graves says local governments might be better equipped to tackle many of the decades old flood control projects than the large, and at times unwieldy Corps of Engineers.
Cut 9 (08) “be efficient”
Graves is also considering moving the Corps of Engineers out of the Department of Defense.
Flood control and protection projects can take years to get approval, between environment surveys and federal approval. Graves says passing this bill would speed up construction of some desperately needed hurricane protection and coastal restoration plans.
Cut 10 (10) “river region”
The bill passed the House with overwhelming support and now needs Senate approval.
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The Louisiana Department of Corrections is warning that unless additional tax revenue is raised by June 30th, thousands of inmates will be released. Those released would be non-sexual and nonviolent offenders. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says that’s because the department would have to cut payments to local sheriffs who house state prisoners
Cut 11 (07) “with them”
The current budget, without additional funds, would require a 30 percent cut to TOPS, 96 million in higher ed cuts, and a nearly 63-million dollar cut to corrections, along with funding reductions across the board to other state agencies.
LeBlanc says they can’t absorb that kind of budget cut, because it’s not like corrections can cut back on staff.
Cut 12 (08) “look at”
LeBlanc says there’s no more fat to trim, and any more budget cuts would mean cutting into bone.
Cut 13 (11) “four prisons”