Reaction is starting to come in on the just-concluded legislative session. The organization that advocates for small businesses in Louisiana is generally pleased with how the legislative session went. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says one of the bills the organization is happy that got passed creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or BayouWorks.

Cut 3 (11) “…earn industry certificates.”

Another bill modernizes the state’s workers comp system and helps reduce costs for small businesses. 

We’ll see more proposed constitutional amendments as a result of this session, including one that prohibits governors from serving more than two terms during their lifetimes. Political reporter for the Advocate Tyler Bridges says it only impacts three people right now.

Cut 15 (07) “…two terms lifetime.”

Students who assault teachers will soon face stiffer punishments, both at the school and in the legal system. A pair of bills toughening those penalties are awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Nikita Drummond-Clark taught for more than 30 years and told the House Education Committee she was forced to retire due to an injury she had suffered at the hands of a student.

Cut 8 (14) “…happened to me.”

Entergy is two years into executing a 1.9-billion-dollar resilience plan to fortify structures and upgrade distribution and transmission lines. Nyka Scott, the vice president of customer service, says the upgrades were put in place after Grand Isle was hit hard by Hurricane Ida.

Cut 5 (08) “…didn’t lose power.”

Scott says similar infrastructure is being built across the state.