Governor John Bel Edwards punched back against lawmakers who criticized his decision to mail nursing home eviction warnings resulting from a potential Medicaid cut, and who are stalling on approving the 648 million dollars in revenue needed to fund healthcare and TOPS. But Edwards says they do not need to renew all of the expiring taxes.
Cut 15 (12) “talking about”
Edwards says he supports renewing a portion of the expiring penny sales tax to close the budget gap.

Two bills that would make medical marijuana availbable to more diseases and disorders are close to final passage after receiving approval from the Senate. One bill would add intractable pain, PTSD and Parkinson’s to the already existing list of diseases medical marijuana is eligible to treat, and the other would add autism patients.

It will be easier to recall an elected official in Louisiana, if the Governor signs a bill into law that has cleared the legislature. A 31-1 senate vote sent HB 54 by Mandeville Representative Paul Hollis to the governor’s desk. The bill lowers the threshold on how many signatures are needed to have a recall election held.
Cut 3 (11) “and 1/3rd”
A similar bill failed to get legislative approval last year.

A bill strengthening laws against animal sexual abuse passed the House unanimously and heads back to the Senate for final passage. Conservative Christian groups oppose it, because they say it could undermine Louisiana’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy law. Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan weighed in, with commentary from Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey.
Cut 6 (08) “the state”