Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking legislative approval for his plan on how to spend 123 million dollars in surplus dollars from the last fiscal year. The funds can’t be dumped straight into the impending one billion dollar budget deficit. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says one time money is not a long term fix.
Edwards’ plans for spending surplus money will be contained in a supplemental appropriations bill that will be debated during the regular session.
Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor’s bill that allows for higher civil penalties when someone dies as a result of hazing has received Senate approval. Claitor says if his bill is approved, it would deter hazing related behavior, resulting in deaths. He says the criminal charges already in place haven’t done enough to curb this dangerous behavior…
There may be information released from an internal investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department in connection with the death of Alton Sterling. It could also lead to a termination of the officer who fired the weapon, Blane Salamoni. Legal analyst Franz Borghart says video shows the officers yelling obscenities at Sterling, holding Sterling down on the ground and Salamoni firing six gunshots…
Cut 5 (10) “inappropriate behaivor.”
NOLA.com is reporting that the state has settled a sexual harassment suit against former Governor Edwards’ deputy chief of staff for programs and planning, Johnny Anderson. The victim who brought the suit is collecting 85-thousand-dollars. In signing the agreement, neither party is admitting any wrongdoing. Anderson resigned in late November and the victim did a week later.