The idea of holding a constitutional convention before the current session ends isn’t gaining much traction among some lawmakers. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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After last night’s season ending loss, LSU’s Angel Reese opens up about the hate she’s received since winning the national championship. Beau Gaspard has more…
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A new 20-foot by 30-foot pavilion at Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson Parish has opened. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the North Central Baptist Association paid for and constructed the new facility.
Cut 3 (08) “…church services.”
Located near the park’s campground, the pavilion accommodates around 50 people.
Nungesser says the NCBA has used the smaller pavilion for other activities including summer day camps. He hopes this project sparks interest among other church organizations to partner with state parks.
Cut 4 (12) “…around Louisiana.”
Nungesser says its local partnerships that benefit state parks and the local community. He hopes community events attract Louisianans of all ages to state parks especially the youth.
To learn more about Louisiana State Parks, visit LaStateParks.com.
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There is pushback to ending the regular session early so a constitutional convention can be held. A bill has been filed to begin the constitutional convention on May 20th, but the regular session is not scheduled to end until June 3rd. Senate President Cameron Henry says there are a lot of unknowns.
Henry says Governor Jeff Landry wants a streamlined state constitution that can be approved by voters in November. Henry says ending the current session early will be difficult because there are significant budget problems.
Lawmakers have been in Baton Rouge since January, with two back-to-back special sessions and the regular one that began on March 11th and is scheduled to end on June 3rd. Henry says the idea of extending that to mid-July is a bit daunting.
Cut 8 (12) “…their districts.”
House Bill 800 to hold a constitutional convention is pending House referral in the legislature.
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The House Appropriations Committee has approved a proposal that would provide thousands of dollars to a family to pay for private school tuition or other education expenses. Once the program gets fully implemented it will cost the state an estimated 500-million dollars annually. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is hearing concerns about taking money away from public schools…
The measure passed on a 13 to 8 vote, Bagley was one of two Republicans to vote against it.
There’s also a concern the Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program will result in students leaving high performing schools so they can attend a private school, further lowering the amount of money public schools receive. The bill author’s Julie Emerson pushes back against that idea…
Cut 10 (10) “…paying to educate “
Fourteen other states have implemented education savings account programs like the one her bill proposes to create. Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter says the E-S-A program in Arizona has turned out to be more costly than projected and there’s fraud too…
Cut 11 (10) “…beauty supplies”
Emerson says they’ve learned from other states’ mistakes and there are provisions in the proposed legislation that makes sure the dollars made available through the Gator Scholarship Program goes to education…
Cut 12 (08) “…implemented this”
The Educational saving account would award families from higher incomes with 51-hundred dollars a year, 75-hundred dollars for lower income families and 15-thousand dollars for students with special needs.
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Governor Landry is displeased the LSU Lady Tigers were not on the court for the national anthem prior to the game against Iowa. Landry says he respects coach Kim Mulkey, but there should be a deep respect for those who serve to protect and unite us under one flag. Mulkey says she didn’t know when the anthem was played….
Cut 13 (13) “..intentionally done.”
In a post on social media, Landry says he wants the Board of Regents to put a policy in place that requires student athletes be present for the national anthem or risk their athletic scholarship. The governor says it’s a matter of respect that all collegiate coaches should instill.
During home LSU women’s basketball games, both teams are in the locker room during the national anthem.