The House supports a bill to suspend child support payments for certain inmates. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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A measure that would give the film tax credit program a facelift nears final legislative passage as it received overwhelming support from the House. Emelie Gunn has more…
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Inmates paying child support would have their payments suspended under a House-approved measure by Gretna Representative Joe Marino. The measure suspends payments for inmates who’ve been incarcerated longer than 180 days and who have no other means of income. Some of the strongest opposition came from Albany Representative Sherman Mack.
Cut 3 (08) “their money anyway”
But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James disagrees. He says most good judges wouldn’t put someone back in jail for not paying child support, but some will. He adds it’s hard for inmates to walk out of jail and find a job, and this will give them a chance to get financially stable.
Cut 4 (10) “it doesn’t happen”
The measure would exclude inmates incarcerated for domestic abuse charges or for not paying child support in the first place. Marino says this proposal came out of the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force with a unanimous recommendation. He says more than 20 other states have similar laws on the books, and it also complies with federal law.
The measure passed the House on a 68-30. Marksville Representative Robert Johnson voted against and said that an offender made a choice to break the law, and therefore they are voluntarily under employed. Mack agrees and says this legislation does not support the children in these situations.
The proposal still needs Senate approval and the legislative session ends Thursday.
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A measure to revamp the film tax credit program is nearing final legislative passage as it heads back to the Senate for approval on changes made by the House. The lower chamber overwhelmingly supported this bill, as it passed on an 89-8 vote. But Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson thinks our priorities are not in the right place.
Under the measure, 180 million dollars in tax credits would go to producers each year, but would decrease to 150 million after three years. The legislation makes it easier for film makers to redeem these credits and Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan says that should help grow the industry.
Critics have said the return of investment isn’t there when it comes to the film tax credit program. But Coussan says the film industry creates jobs.
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A Covington lawmaker says he is disappointed his bill died in committee without a fair hearing. State Representative Paul Hollis sought to make it easier for large districts to recall an elected official. Hollis says he was only afforded seven minutes to discuss his bill in front of the panel.
Hollis says he is disappointed the measure was voted down without any discussion. He says no one in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee even expressed any concerns about the bill. He says he can’t understand why the bill failed on a 3-3 vote.
Hollis says that’s why he assumed it would fly through the Senate without any problems, but that didn’t happen. The proposal came up after the emotional debate over the controversial confederate monuments bill. He says every bill deserves a good debate and his proposal didn’t get one
Hollis says he plans to bring the legislation back next year.
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The Daily Advertiser editorial board is calling for Taylor Barras to step down as House Speaker over the fact not much has been accomplished in the current legislative session. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t think what’s happening at the Capitol is entirely Barras fault…:
The Republican from New Iberia is accused by his local publication of not being able to lead lawmakers effectively and address many of the state’s problems. Cross says there is a major anti-tax sentiment within the public and many legislators weren’t willing to go against their constituents…:
Cut 14 (08) “trust government”
The editorial says Louisiana’s problems will not come from this House in its present form with Barras at the helm and it’s time to “reboot.” Cross says it seems like the journalists are good government types…: