There are troubling signs that the nation’s vaccine campaign may be slowing down. Matt Doyle has more.
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The restaurant industry faces a critical shortage of workers, so they are having to pay more to attract employees and customers might have to pick up the tab. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Legislation allowing raw, smoke-able medical marijuana to be sold in Louisiana is headed to the House floor. Matt Doyle has more.
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There’s been an 11 percent decline in vaccination numbers nationwide this week, a trend that has health officials worried the campaign may be slowing down too early.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that trend is concerning because the longer the vaccine campaign takes, the greater the chance COVID variants could become a serious problem.
Cut 4 (09)“…experiencing that.”
As of Thursday, 1.45 million Louisianans have initiated their vaccine series, about 31 percent of the state. By age that’s 41 percent of those 18 and older and 74 percent of those 65 and older.
Kanter says initially there was a surge in vaccine interest, but now that that first group of vaccine enthusiasts has received a shot we need to focus on those who are on the fence…
Kanter says if you’ve been vaccinated, reach out to those around you who are hesitant and encourage them to get the shot. He says this next phase of the campaign will require grassroots work.
This week the state knocked on thousands of doors and left thousands of pro-vaccine pamphlets. This Monday over 100,000 letters will be mailed to Louisianans encouraging them to get a vaccine, and pointing them to where they can get one.
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The restaurant industry continues to face hurdles with the pandemic but instead of a lack of customers, it’s employees. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says members are having trouble finding enough workers.
A survey of association members indicates more than 60-percent of restaurants are having to pay significantly higher wages and 20-percent of those establishments are having to pay workers 15 to 20-percent more in wages than before the pandemic.
Harris says boosted unemployment benefits are hurting the industry.
Not only has the pandemic caused a worker shortage for restaurants, but Harris also says they are faced with paying more in wages, an increase in the cost of products, and…
Harris urges customers to be patient as restaurants continue to struggle.
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House Health and Welfare advances legislation expanding the state medical marijuana program to include smoke-able “raw” marijuana.
Bill author, Houma Representative, and Republican Tanner Magee says our neighbors in Mississippi and Arkansas have OK’d the sale, and we need to catch up or our state’s program could collapse…
Magee also notes the raw form of the treatment is much cheaper than the current processed versions being sold in the state.
Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says the current medical marijuana program has been a success, but it needs to be expanded…
A companion piece of legislation setting the tax for raw marijuana at the state sales tax rate of 4.45 percent would also need to be approved for this to take effect.
Chairman Larry Bagley says a poll of his rural northwest Louisiana district showed 65 percent in favor of expanding the program. He says that’s because the benefits are becoming obvious.
The final vote in committee was 12-1, and the bill now heads to the House floor. Governor Edwards says he is inclined to support the bill.
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A bill limiting the amount of time the state can keep someone behind bars before filing criminal charges narrowly escapes from House Criminal Justice. Bill sponsor, Representative Ted James says currently a person can remain in jail for up to 120 days for capital offenses, 60 days for felonies, and 45 days for misdemeanors.
Cut 13 (10) “…without charge.”
The bill would shorten the period to five days for most offenses and 30 for more serious charges.
Representative Tony Bacala countered after speaking with a District Attorney and he worries charges will be fined on everyone before the fifth day regardless before cases can be thoroughly investigated.
James says holding a possibly innocent person in jail for an extended period can be costly, not only to the state but to that person who could lose their job, home, or even custody of their children.
Representative Nicholas Muscarello says he likes the intent of the bill but needs to see changes.
Cut 16 (09) “…kind of change.”
The bill passed out of committee by a 5-4 vote.