Governor Edwards wants to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots to attend public schools K-12 and higher education. But opponents to such a move voiced their concerns at today’s House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
______________________________________
A special committee made up of state senators began hearings today on the use of force policies that State Police has in place. Jeff Palermo has the story…
______________________________________
Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools and higher education. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year because it’s only FDA-approved for that age group.
The move is opposed by mostly GOP lawmakers who are gathering today for an oversight hearing to stop the proposal.
Edwards says because it’s been approved by the FDA for those 16 and older, the public needs to be reminded in order to receive such approval it’s been thoroughly tested.
Cut 4 (10) “…these populations.”
Edwards says but it’s also part of a larger effort to battle the pandemic.
__________________________________
Hurricane victims from 2020 and 2021 continue to struggle with insurance companies on getting paid for their storm damage claims. Houma Senator Mike Fesi says many of his constituents can’t even a call back. Fesi says he’s told insurance providers a little communication is better than no communication at all…
Cut 6 (11) “..biggest complaint.”
Fesi says expects a lot of legislation will be considered in the 2022 regular session on how they can force insurance companies to provide timely claims. But he says they have to be careful, because if you put too many regulations on insurance companies they won’t do business in Louisiana anymore…
Fesi says his best advice for the time being for frustrated policyholders is to call the Louisiana Department of Insurance and voice your complaints…
Cut 8 (09) “…better satisfaction.”
______________________________________________________
UPDATE: House Health and Welfare vote 13-2 to reject a rule to add COVID vaccines to the state’s immunization schedule.
A House Health And Welfare Committee meeting is underway, receiving public input from the governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder voiced his opposition to adding the COVID vaccine to attend schools.
Attorney General Jeff Landy says the proposal of adding the vaccine to the shot schedule is an overreach of the Department of Health because they are also dictating who can attend K-12 public schools.
Anti-vaccine activist and attorney Bobby Kennedy Jr, a guest of Landy attended the hearing and told the committee instead of a four-year study, the Pfizer vaccine trial ended at six months and was given authorization by the FDA.
Dr. Kanter stated that’s Kennedy’s presentation of deaths and side effects of the vaccine was a gross misinterpretation of the truth.
______________________________________________
The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight held its first meeting today. The senators are reviewing L-S-P’s use of force policies as the state agency has come under fire after several documented cases of Troopers beating up Black motorists. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says 99-percent of the state’s Troopers do their job well, while one-percent do not
Colonel Lamar Davis was named the new Superintendent of State Police 13 months ago. He says several changes have been made since his appointment, but unfortunately some of the changes can’t take place over night…
Information gathered from this State Police Oversight Committee is expected to produce legislation that will be considered in the 2022 regular session. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux…
Several high-ranking LSP officials were also on hand to testify. Boudreaux asked Lt. Colonel Doug Cain about how L-S-P leadership is attempting to change the culture within the department. Cain says they are educating Troopers that everyone has a different life background and consider that when dealing with the public…