Updated campaign finance totals are out for the major candidates in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Andrew Greenstein has the analysis.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Inmates released from prison will have Medicaid as part of a plan the state and the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services are working to put in place. Joe Gallinaro has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”
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The first quarter campaign finance reports are released; and in the race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, Bill Cassidy has by far the most cash on hand with more than seven-million dollars in his war chest. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s not surprising, given the fact that Cassidy is an incumbent running for re-election.
Cut 3 (10) “…is still unclear.”
Julia Letlow’s campaign reports more than 2.275-million dollars cash on hand, while John Fleming’s campaign reports just under 2.2-million. Fleming’s total, however, is exceeded by more than 3.6-million in debts still owed, after Fleming loaned his own campaign more than ten-million dollars. Cross says self-funding his campaign may be part of his strategy.
Cut 4 (10) “…more a contender.”
Cross says no one is in danger of running out of money between now and May 16th, after which date things will heat up ahead of the June 27th runoff.
While Cassidy has almost twice as much cash on hand than Fleming and Letlow combined, polls indicate that it’s unclear which of the three will end up being the odd one out after May 16th,
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Louisiana is partnering with the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services on a program that would allow soon-to-be released inmates to receive health insurance through Medicaid. Governor Jeff Landry says this proactive approach helps offenders successfully transition back into their communities and rebuild their lives.
Cut 6 (09) “…member of society.”
Under this new policy, inmates would be approved for Medicaid up to 90 days before they are released from prison or jail. Landry says the initiative gives inmates a continuity of care, particularly for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.
Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says by beginning medical services for substance abuse treatment and mental health disorders while in prison and providing a 30-day supply of prescription drugs, these people are much less likely to go back to jail after they’re released.
Cut 8 (08) “…once they leave.”
Officials are aiming to have the program operating in the summer.
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Another whooping crane is shot to death in Evangeline Parish. Biologists reported a lost signal on the whooping crane’s collar on March 19th, and Wildlife and Fisheries agents found the dead bird the next day. LDWF Corporal Tib Guillory says 49-year-old Michael Alaniz of Chicago admitted to killing the bird.
Cut 9 (08) “…harvesting the bird.”
Corporal Guillory says agents found the whooping crane on a crawfish farm near Highway 106.
Whooping cranes are an endangered species; and, as such, Guillory says it is illegal to shoot one.
Cut 11 (09) “…population going forward.”
Alaniz is charged with violating the migratory bird treaty act and faces a fine of up to 950 dollars and up to 120 days in jail. He will also be assessed civil restitution of up to 15-thousand dollars for the replacement value of the bird.
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Before Louisiana lawmakers left for the weekend, the state House approved a 47-billion-dollar budget proposal. House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland says the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st makes critical investments in public school classrooms and workforce training.
Cut 12 (11) “…high-impact jobs program.”
The House’s budget proposal contains the funding Governor Landry is seeking for the LA GATOR Scholarship program. But Senate leaders oppose Landry’s proposal to double the funding for the program that provides taxpayer dollars to pay for private school tuition and other education expenses.
McFarland says this budget proposal will not raise taxes and speeds up investments in better classrooms and more high-paying jobs.
Cut 13 (11) “…for our citizens.”
McFarland says for the first time since 2009, there is an increase in per-student funding for school districts.
Cut 14 (11) “…local school districts.”
The expenses include fuel, insurance, utilities and retirement costs.
The Senate will put together its own budget proposal, and that will take several weeks to do.