Governor Edwards has signed legislation designed to control the cost of the TOPS program in future years. Starting in 2017, TOPS students will have to pay a portion of their tuition, if the legislature does not agree to raise the TOPS payment to match tuition hikes. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue, says this won’t solve all of the TOPS funding issues, but it’s a start…
cut 7 (05) “…we have”
Similar legislation was vetoed by former Governor Bobby Jindal.

A big vote on the House Floor is expected Wednesday over legislation that expands the number of the diseases that would be able to get a prescription for medical marijuana once the drug becomes legally available. Alan Pesch has a son that suffers from Crohn’s Disease and is encouraging the lower chamber to vote “yes”….
cut 11 (10) “…to Louisiana”
Sheriffs and district attorneys have raised concerns about the bill.

An attack on a police officer or firefighter would be considered a hate crime under a measure headed to the Senate floor for final legislative passage. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the hate crime law currently covers violence against people because of their race, gender, religion, age, disability or nationality — and this bill expands that…
cut 15 (07) “…or EMS”
The measure has been dubbed as the “Blue Lives Matter” bill.

Legislation that seeks to protect gays and transgender individuals from discrimination is heading to the Senate floor after barely getting enough votes to pass out of a committee. Author of the measure, New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says there shouldn’t be any discrimination….
cut 24 (10) “…treated fairly”
The Louisiana Family Forum and business groups oppose the measure.