5:30 LRN Newscast June 7

Governor Edwards is calling for a June 15th special session after a federal judge rejected the Congressional Redistricting Map the legislature passed before the regular session. Research Director with the Public Affairs Research Council Melinda Deslatte (Duh-Lot) says the judge issued a June 20th deadline for the new map that must have two majority-minority districts.

Cut 6  (06) “…different map.” 

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the 2022 legislative session that ended yesterday was a good one for education. He says lawmakers approved legislation to address the teacher shortage by allowing any resident who has a Master’s Degree in a particular content to teach at a local school in that area of expertise…

Cut 4  (08) “…other professions.”

Teachers also received a 15-hundred dollar pay raise.

One of the bills that passed the session was HB 1031, which adds an annual fee of $110 for all-electric vehicles and a $60 fee for hybrid owners to help offset the losses from gas tax collections. Transportation Secretary Sean Wilson says the legislation is about making sure everyone who uses the roads helps maintain them.

Cut 9 (12) “…average driver pays.”

Louisiana is receiving 176-million dollars to bring reliable internet service to rural areas. The governor’s office says it’s enough money to connect 88-thousand homes and businesses with high-speed internet. Executive Director of Louisiana Broadband and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar (Vuh-neeth Eye-IN-gar) says Louisiana is one of only four states to receive this money from the U-S Department of Treasury

Cut 12 (09) “…the most”