The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period.  Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.  Ballard says many lawmakers argue that they were doing legislative work during that period, even if it wasn’t at the Capitol.

Cut 7 (09) “.that time”

On a five to one vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a proposal to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says distracted driving causes numerous wrecks and the phone is what distracts most drivers

Cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”

McMath’s measure heads to the Senate floor, but similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions.

Notable musicians such as Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are just some of the recognizable names from Louisiana supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says Hayes is doing a performance later this month where proceeds will be donated toward the cause.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…now as well.”

Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Cut 9 (10) “…or early August.”

Feibus says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute.

Louisiana reports 41 new COVID-19 deaths and 253 new confirmed positive cases today, continuing this month’s trend in lower death rates and fewer new positive cases.

Those declining numbers are making some antsy to restart the economy before the Governor’s stay at home order ends May 15^th, and a resolution that would undo that order is getting closer to passage. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez’s resolution cleared a House Committee and would remove the Governor’s ability to enforce the order, and this Jefferson Parish business owner says she’s a fan of it…

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

Governor Edwards’ Executive Counsel Matthew Block says their team of medical experts advised against opening May 1^st because a premature relaxing of restrictions could be costly…

Cut 15 (11)“…nothing”

The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period. Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.

Cut 6 (07) “…term.”

Lawmakers receive the per diem on top of their 17,000 dollar annual base salary. Per diem payments to lawmakers for the regular session cost the state about two million dollars a year.

A House committee approves a Republican-led resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order. House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez of Erath is the author of the measure and argued local governments should establish COVID restrictions, not the Governor.
Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”
Democrats on the committee oppose the resolution. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…
Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”
Despite this argument, the panel sent the resolution to the House floor on a nine to seven vote. If Governor Edwards does not extend the stay at home order, Miguez says he will not push the resolution any further.

Notable names from around Louisiana are joining together to support “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for food banks. Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says 773,000 Louisiana residents struggle with food security under normal circumstances.
Cut 3 (12) “…especially providing food.”
Notable musicians Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are among those participating with the social media campaign.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and state health department will host a tele-town hall this afternoon called “COVID-19, Preparing for the next phase. L-D-H Deputy Director Earl Benjamin-Robinson says they’ll discuss a phased re-opening approach and answer questions from the community. It will start at four PM for the Greater Monroe area. For more info go to L-P-H-I-dot org.

A resolution aimed at ending the Governor’s statewide stay at home order advances to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And Edwards says it’s too early to predict whether Louisiana will be ready to enter phase one of re-opening the economy on May 16th.

The Senate Transportation Committee has begun their meeting. On the agenda is a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld telephone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the goal is for drivers to have their hands on the wheel and not on their phone…
cut 8 (08) “…your voice”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a lengthy and tense debate, a House committee approved Erath Republican Blake Miguez’s resolution that takes the teeth out of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order…
cut 29 (07) “…those rules”
House Concurrent Resolution 58 passed on a nine to seven vote and heads to the House floor for more debate. Here’s Governor Edwards’ reaction…
cut 11 (06) “…resolution”
But there are many business owners who are frustrated with the length of the economic shutdown, including this one from Jefferson Parish, who went before the panel…
cut 12 (08) “…fiasco”
Edwards said it’s too early to determine if the state will move to phase one of reopening on May 16th.

The number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana has surpassed 30-thousand and some of those cases include children. Kevin Barnhart has more on that…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The governor also said at his press briefing that the state has hired an additional 700 workers to staff call centers, under the supervision of epidemiologists, to assist in the state’s effort to conduct contact tracing. Edwards says he’ll release more details on the state’s plan for contact tracing tomorrow.

A Republican-led effort to prevent Governor Edwards from enforcing stay at home order restrictions won its first legislative battle yesterday when the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved the resolution. The proposal would give local governments the power to move forward with reopening based on guidance laid out by the federal government.

Many Republicans have criticized the governor’s decision to extend the Stay at Home order to May 15th, including Congressman Garret Graves, who accuses the governor of trying to derail the President’s re-election effort. …
cut 14 (12) “…being played”
But Edwards’ executive counsel Matthew Block says the President supported the extension and a premature easing of restrictions would be costly…
cut 15 (11) “….nothing”

The Senate Transportation Committee hears legislation today that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld phone while driving a vehicle. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his proposal would not prevent a driver from talking on the phone or answering a call….
cut 9 (07) “…your car”
Similiar bills such as this one have failed to receive legislative support.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and the Louisiana Department of Health are holding a series of regional tele-town halls on COVID-19. Earl Benjamin-Robinson says the goal of these informational sessions is to educate the community about COVID-19 response measures….
cut 6 (09) “…social distancing”
One of the tele-halls is today at 4 PM for Monroe area residents. Got to L-P-H-I-dot-org for more information.

A House committee approves a Republican-led resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order. House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez of Erath is the author of the measure and argued local governments should establish COVID restrictions, not the Governor.
Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”
Democrats on the committee oppose the resolution. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…
Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”
Despite this argument, the panel sent the resolution to the House floor on a nine to seven vote. If Governor Edwards does not extend the stay at home order, Miguez says he will not push the resolution any further.

Today at the Capitol, the Senate Transportation Committee hears a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld wireless telecommunications device while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his proposal would reduce crashes on Louisiana roadways…
cut 7 (12) “….a movie”
The meeting begins at 10 AM.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and state health department will host two tele-town halls today called “COVID-19, Preparing for the next phase. Earl Benjamin-Robinson is a deputy director with L-D-H and he says they’ll discuss a phased re-opening approach and answer questions from the community….
cut 5 (12) “…answer those questions”
A tele-town hall will start at 11 AM for the Baton Rouge Area and four PM for the Greater Monroe area. For more info go to L-P-H-I-dot org.

After a lengthy and tense debate, a House committee approved Erath Republican Blake Miguez’s resolution that takes the teeth out of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’s stay at home order…
cut 29 (07) “…those rules”
House Concurrent Resolution 58 passed on a nine to seven vote and heads to the House floor for more debate. Here’s Governor Edwards’ reaction…
cut 11 (06) “…resolution”
Edwards says his decision to extend the stay at home order to May 15th has the support of the White House. But Republican Congressman Garret Graves accused the governor on a Baton Rouge radio station (Mornings with Brian Haldane) of trying to derail the President’s re-election effort…
cut 14 (12) “…being played”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Deputy Director of LDH’s Office of Community Partnerships and Health Equity Earl Benjamin-Robinson will serve as a moderator and says the events will help calm uncertainties.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…where resources are.”
There will be a tele-town hall at 11 AM for Baton Rouge area residents and then another one for the Greater Monroe area at 4 PM. For a complete list of these town halls and how to participate go to L-P-H-I-dot-org.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_____________________________________

 A resolution aimed at ending the Governor’s statewide stay at home order advances to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

Governor Edwards showcases some of the impacts on children from COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Deputy Director of LDH’s Office of Community Partnerships and Health Equity Earl Benjamin-Robinson will serve as a moderator and says the events will help calm uncertainties.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…where resources are.”

The meetings will address COVID-19 response measures and the phased re-opening approach.  Benjamin-Robinson says there will also be time dedicated to addressing community concerns.

Cut 5 (12)  “…answer those questions..”

The events will also include local panelists including the region’s medical director, faith-based leaders, community advocates, and local elected officials.  Benjamin-Robinson says the events will continue to enforce the importance of mitigation efforts during the reopening.

Cut 6 (09) “…by social distancing.”

A list of the town halls can be found at LPHI.org.
_______________________________________

Covington Senator Patrick McMath will introduce a bill to prohibit the use of handheld devices when you’re behind the wheel in a Senate transportation committee today in an effort to reduce accidents on Louisiana’s roadways.

Cut 7 (12) “…a movie .”.

McMath says in 2018 and estimated 25 to 35 percent of serious crashes were caused by distracted drivers. McMath says states that have enacted similar legislation have seen a significant decrease in serious accidents as a result.  The goal of the bill is to have drivers keep their hands on the wheel and off their phones.

Cut 8 (08) “…your voice.”

McMath says the bill still allows you to talk on the phone by using the Bluetooth or wireless feature through your car or…

Cut 9 (07) “…your car”

Louisiana currently has a no texting and driving bill already in effect.

____________________________________

A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order.

The resolution was brought by House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez who says local governments should be establishing COVID restrictions, not the Governor.

Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”

Miguez says the resolution would not jeopardize federal disaster funding.

Governor Edwards called out Miguez by name at his Wednesday afternoon press conference and assailed the legislative effort.

Cut 11 (06) “…resolution.”

Edwards says any changes to the stay at home order will be announced next Monday and will be based on the recommendations of the administration’s healthcare experts.

The committee was a heated marathon that featured a few small business owners speaking out against the stay at home order, including this one from Jefferson Parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

The effort was opposed by Democrats on the committee, including New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…

Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”

Congressman Garret Graves weighed in, accusing Edwards of trying to undermine President Trump’s reelection effort by harming the economy.

Cut 14 (12) “…being played.”

But Edwards’ Executive Counsel Matthew Block says the stay at home extension to May 15^th was supported by the President and adds a premature lifting of restrictions could be costly…

Cut 15 (11)“…nothing”

The resolution heads to the House floor next. It would only need a simple majority of the House and Senate for passage and could not be vetoed by the Governor.

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