A Senate Committee approves legislation mandating higher education staff properly report known cases of sexual misconduct, or be terminated. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Louisiana elected officials react to a jury convicting former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin of murder and manslaughter of George Floyd. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Legislation inspired by the LSU sexual misconduct scandal mandating higher ed employees properly report known incidents of “power-based violence” is headed to the Senate floor.
The sweeping bill also covers everything from mandatory awareness training to establishing what must be documented related to those cases. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow…
Power-based violence is defined as dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
Higher ed officials came out in support of the legislation. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed…
Among the many items included in the bill is a mandate that all suspected cases of power-based violence must be reported specifically to the school’s Title Nine Office, along with the establishment of “confidential advisors” who receive specialized training in the handling of those reports.
LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says this legislation is vital for restoring student trust.
Under the bill the chancellor of a Louisiana higher education institution must, each fall and spring semester, submit a detailed report on incidents of power-based violence to the Board of Supervisors, and post that report online. The report shall not identify any individuals involved.
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Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s thankful the criminal justice system dispensed justice against ex-Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin who was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says justice was done
Cell phone video showed Chauvin’s knee pressing on Floyd’s neck for nine and half minutes during an arrest. During that time Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Cassidy says he spoke to local law enforcement who tell him what Chauvin did is not taught in police training
Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus Ted James said on Talk Louisiana on WRKF he was expecting an acquittal….
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Many are saying justice was served, but James tells “Talk Louisiana” host Jim Engster he can’t go that far…
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Chauvin will be sentenced in two months and the most serious charge carries up to 40 years in prison.
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The Senate Education votes 5-1 in favor of a bill that would make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ bill would require all children to start school at the age of five. Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools Legal Director Sarah Vandergriff backs the legislation…
Homeschool Louisiana Government Affairs Jesse Leger spoke in opposition. She says five-year-olds should be outside playing, not limited to a classroom setting and this places another burden on families who homeschool.
Executive Director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Susan East Nelson supports the bill because research shows early education has a direct impact on learning and social skills.
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The bill advances to the Senate Floor but could be sent to the Senate Finance to address fiscal needs to provide kindergarten at all public schools.
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The House Ways and Means Committee advances a proposal that would eliminate the state’s income tax on residents and a tax on businesses known as the corporate franchise tax. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says to make up for an estimated four billion dollars in lost revenue, local governments can raise property and sales taxes
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A good portion of tax revenue the state collects is re-directed to local governments.
Nelson’s tax plan would also lower the homestead exemption from 75-to 25-thousand dollars and eliminate a major property tax break that large manufacturers can receive called I-TEP. The freshman lawmaker believes the public can get behind this proposal because it eliminates state income taxes
It’s unclear if Nelson’s tax reform plan has enough support to get the two-thirds vote needed to pass, but Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says it’s a proposal that should be looked at some more…