The two largest teacher unions in the state join forces and tell lawmakers the proposed fifteen-hundred dollar pay raises aren’t enough. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Cleco is spreading the word on how you can save on your energy costs this summer. David Grubb has more…
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The state House passes a bill banning schools from giving COVID shots without parental approval. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Federation of Teachers joined forces at the state capitol in an effort to convey their disappointment with the proposed education pay increase for next year’s budget. The budget approved by Senate Finance sets aside $1,500 raises for teachers, instead of the original request of $2,000 by the governor. LFT President Larry Carter…
Support staff is set to receive a $750 pay raise instead of the requested $1,000 increase.
The average annual pay for public school teachers in Louisiana is $51,500. The teacher’s unions displayed a photo of a billboard recruiting teachers to Texas with a starting pay of more than $58,000.
And while Louisiana teachers have received raises totaling $3,300 in last four years, their pay ranks 12th among 16 other southern states and well below the southern regional average. LAE President Dr. Tia Mills says she would like to think lawmakers are concerned about the ongoing teacher and support staff shortage…
Carter says the less than anticipated raises in a time of record inflation will not go unnoticed. He says they plan to continue to lobby lawmakers for adequate raises in an effort to retain certified teachers.
Carter and Mills say neighboring states are taking advantage of the situation and luring educators away from the Bayou State.
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Cleco has been very proactive in finding ways to help its customers deal with rising fuel and energy costs. Their CARE program for low-income families is still accepting applicants through May 30, and now the energy provider has introduced the Watt Matters campaign says spokesperson Fran Phoenix…
The centerpiece of the campaign is teaching customers how to keep energy from escaping their homes through weatherization.
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A Power Wise assessment comes at no cost to Cleco customers, and some assistance can be provided on the spot.
Many of the things that customers can do to reduce their costs are relatively simple, like using LED lightbulbs and regularly replacing air conditioner filters. To register for an assessment or to see what strategies can help in your home, Phoenix says to visit Cleco-dot-com and click on Watt Matters.
Using energy-saving devices and practicing energy efficiency can reduce customer bills anywhere from 10 to 25 percent.
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The full House advances a bill that would prohibit giving COVID shots – or any other vaccines – at public schools unless parents give explicit permission. Terrebonne Parish Representative Beryl Amedee (BEAR-il AH-muh-day) says her bill would require schools obtain written permission to administer a shot, then follow that up with a verbal verification…:
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Amedee says she brought the bill because – during the height of the pandemic – there were some cases in Louisiana of kids forging a parental permission slip and getting the shot. She says some school administrators asked her to file the bill to help protect them from liability…:
Amedee’s HB 427 would prohibit schools from administering vaccines on school property without written and verbal parental approval. She urges lawmakers to vote “yes”…:
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The bill passed by a 65-to-31 vote, and now moves forward to the Senate.
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The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act bill will return to the Senate after passing through the House on a 72 to 21 vote with a minor amendment that will require Senate approval. This was the same legislation that was responsible for the historic veto session last year. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel presented the bill in the House.
She then referred to the transgender female swimmer that won an NCAA championship.
Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins spoke in opposition to the bill, saying the bill is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist in Louisiana. Jenkins says the bill is an attack on vulnerable transgender children.
Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, who spoke in favor of Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s legislation says that supporting the legislation does not make you a bully or anti-transgender.
The bill was amended to remove intramural sports from the legislation and restricted to competitive sports in Louisiana public schools, colleges and universities.
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Matt McMahon has completely remade the LSU basketball roster in a matter of weeks. After essentially having no players six weeks ago, he completed his 2022 class with the signing of 6-10 center, Shawn Phillips Jr., out of Arizona. McMahon’s class was ranked 17th nationally before the addition of Phillips, a four-star recruit. Advocate sportswriter Sheldon Mickles is impressed…
While the basketball program and the athletic department are still facing potentially harsh penalties from the NCAA, McMahon’s contract gives him security as he navigates this difficult period. Mickles points out that like any other coach McMahon would love to win now, but his eyes are on the future…
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