An effort to eliminate the death penalty took a major hit at the State Capitol today as such a proposal was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has a similar bill in the Senate, and made the argument the death penalty is costly and doesn’t reduce the state’s murder rate….
cut 14 (10) “…we do”
But New Iberia Representative Terry Landry’s bill to eliminate the death penalty died on an eight to nine vote. The mother of slain St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Deputy, Jeremy Triche, Edie Triche, says the death penalty isn’t about revenge, but justice
cut 16 (09) “…his state”
Claitor says after today’s vote, he will not bring his anti-death penalty bill to the Senate floor.

On four to two vote, the Senate Labor Committee approves a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 over the next two years. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and this measure would raise the minimum wage to $8.50 by 2019. In opposition, State Director of the National Federation for Independent Business, Dawn Starns says a rise in the minimum wage will create uncertainty for small businesses..:
Cut 3 (10) “in their budgeting”
Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying he was pleased the bill advanced, and it’s time to start valuing hard-working families.

A House approved measure that limits first time opioid prescriptions for acute conditions to a seven-day supply received approval from a Senate committee. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, testified in support….
cut 11 (07) “….our epidemic”
The measure now moves to the Senate floor.