A proposed increase to the state’s minimum wage has won the approval of the Senate Labor Committee. Michelle Southern has more…
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Opponents and supporters of the removal of the statue of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard watched as crews took down the monument in New Orleans last night. Emelie Gunn has more…
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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 create a state minimum wage at $8.00 by 2018 and increase to $8.50 by 2019. State Director of the National Federation for Independent Business, Dawn Starns opposes the measure because she says it will create uncertainty for small businesses.
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But New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says raising the minimum wage would actually help businesses. He says the turnover rate for low wage employees is very high. He says giving workers a decent wage would boost morale and lower turnover rates.
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry also opposes the measure. Jim Patterson with LABI says minimum wage is a starting hourly rate and not intended to be a living wage. He adds that once employees making minimum wage start making more, other workers will want better compensation too.
But Carter says the world doesn’t come to an end when you treat people fairly. He says not only will better wages make for better work environments, it will also help the community.
The bill was passed on a 4 to 2 vote. It will go to the Senate floor, but first it could be sent to the Senate Finance Committee, where it was killed last year.
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The statue of P.G.T. Beauregard was hauled away in New Orleans by a masked crew last night. Workers took down the monument of the Confederate General as opponents of the removal watched while waving Confederate battle flags and singing the National Anthem.
It took crews seven hours to get the equestrian statue off its base. Supporters of the removal threw a party just feet away from the opponents. One onlooker explained why this statue and all Confederate Monuments need to be taken down.
The next monument to go will be Robert E. Lee. One opponent present at the removal spoke out about why it’s important to keep these monuments up.
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A proposal that aims to resolve Louisiana’s opioid epidemic is heading to the Senate floor. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill would limit first time opioid prescriptions for acute conditions to a 7 day supply, in the hopes of keeping the pain pills away from addicts. She says 4 out of 5 heroin users say they started with painkillers.
Another component of the bill requires doctors to tell their patients about the risks associated with taking pain pills. It also allow pharmacists to fill less than the prescribed amount at the patient’s request. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner Dr. beau Clark testified in support of the bill.
The measure does allow for doctors to prescribe more pills if they feel the patient needs them. It also specifies that opioids can be given to those with chronic conditions. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor made sure that patients who need them would have access to painkillers.
The House approved bill was unanimously approved and heads to the Senate floor.
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The House Criminal Justice Committee rejects a proposal to that sought to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Speaking in favor of the bill was Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Shelton Shelton Fabre, who says every human life is sacred. He says an execution cannot bring back a loved one or heal terrible wounds.
Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor, who has a similar measure in the Senate, says the death penalty costs our state millions of dollars, which is important given our state’s massive budget deficit. He also adds the death penalty doesn’t make Louisiana any safer.
But the proposal failed on an eight to nine vote. Hugo Holland with the Louisiana District Attorneys Association defended the need for the death penalty…
Mother of slain St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Triche, Edie Triche, says the death penalty isn’t about revenge, but justice. She says the murder of law enforcement officers deserves the protections that come with first degree murder.
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