Superstar LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey calls on lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to sell their image and receive compensation for selling their likeness. Matt Doyle has more.
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Efforts to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana are halted by the bill’s author after a lengthy debate in House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Teachers would get an 800 dollar pay raise under a budget approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Legislation that would have outlawed the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana schools is defeated on the House floor.
Pollock Representative Gabe Firment debated the merits with bill author and New Orleans Representative Stephanie Hilferty…
29 school districts still allow the use of corporal punishment.
Plaquemine Representative Chad Brown asked Hilferty about one of the primary reasons for the bill.
The final vote was 50-47 against.
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New LSU Women’s Basketball head coach Kim Mulkey implored lawmakers to pass legislation allowing student-athletes to receive compensation for their image and likeness.
Mulkey says this legislation would allow those student-athletes to do things that are transformative in their lives.
Cut 6 (10) “…everybody’s life.”
The legislation by Senator Patrick Connick would allow students to sell their likeness and appear in advertisements or endorsements without having their status or student benefits impacted. The bill awaits a hearing in Senate Finance.
Mulkey says this bill will make the lives of all student-athletes better, even ones from small schools.
Mulkey, a hall of fame coach with three titles from her time in Baylor, was hired last month by LSU to revive the struggling women’s basketball program. Since her hire 3,000 deposits have been paid for season tickets.
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After close to three hours of testimony in House Criminal Justice, New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry pulled her bill to decriminalize prostitution. Gloria Blankenship with Purchase Not for Sale, an organization to assist victims of sexual exploitation, says while she agrees with the intent of the bill, she’s unable to support it in its current form.
Other opponents disapproved of the bill on moral grounds.
Supporters say the government should not be involved with the sexual activities of consenting adults. Lakeesha Harris representing Women With a Vision and a former sex worker says the profession is unfairly judged and policed.
After lengthy testimony on both sides of the issue, Landry decided to shelve the bill.
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House Appropriations approves a 36 billion dollar budget plan that includes an 800 dollar pay raise for K-12 teachers and a 400 dollar pay raise for support staff.
The Governor’s initial budget only called for a 400 dollar teacher pay raise. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says teachers needed more than that…
An initial proposal by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder called for a 1,000 dollar raise. That’s still a possibility, pending a revenue projection by the Revenue Estimating Conference.
Posey says without this raise and raises in the coming years we risked seeing even more teachers head across state lines, or even give up on the professional altogether.
Posey says this raise is a boost to local economies because the money will stay in the community, particularly rural areas that have trouble retaining educators.
Cut 13 (06) “…children there.”
The increase is being paid for in part by the influx of one-time federal dollars the state got from the Biden Administration. Some Republican lawmakers raised concerns about how the raise will be financed in future years once the federal funds run out.
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Governor John Bel Edwards encourages owners of restaurants, bars and other food-related establishments to register with the Small Business Administration’s new Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says $28-billion has been set aside to fund the program.
Cut 14 (11) “… disadvantaged businesses.”
Harris says the funding is part of the American Rescue Plan and there’s a portal to preregister your business at SBA.gov. He says owners should do so ASAP and so far 110-thousand have signed up.
Cut 15 (09)“…run on the funds.”
Unlike previous assistance with PPP loans, Harris says Revitalization funding is based on the value of your lost revenue.
Cut 16 (13) “…you’ve received.”
Harris says this is another lifeline to help the industry and highly encourages owners to register.