Governor John Bel Edwards proposed budget for next fiscal year calls for cuts to education funding, as a result of a 750-million dollar revenue shortfall. Michelle Southern has the story…
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
A bill that would require businesses to pay men and women the same for similar work passed in the Senate with a 28-10 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says studies show in Louisiana a woman makes on average 65-cents to every dollar a man earns. The measure now heads to the House, where it’s expected to face tough opposition.
A bill that allows clergy members to refuse to conduct a same-sex marriage passed in a Senate committee. Opponents are concerned about the potential for backlash as religious freedom bills approved in other states have received. But Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson says those bills are much broader than his proposal, which is strictly limited to churches and religious leaders.
The bill now moves to the House floor.
Another proposal would increase the age at which a person can be prosecuted as an adult form 17 to 18. A high school student went before the committee supporting the legislation because his friend was arrested at 17. He says the adult prison system is not a place for juveniles because his friend lost his pride and it couldn’t be restored.
The legislation heads to the full Senate.