LRN News | LRN PM Newscall June 13th

House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is looking at shuffling some budget money around to fill the TOPS gap. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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40 million dollars in federal money is being sent to the state to help more parents pay for childcare. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Cut 3 (11) “they need”

The Metairie Republican says LDH has 110 million dollars in funded vacant positions, which are jobs that have money allocated, but are not currently filled. The Representative says it would take roughly 90 million dollars to fund the remainder of TOPS. Henry says the legislature could also consider taking away state workers’ pay raises to fill part of the budget gap.

Cut 4 (09) “next year”

The half-cent sales tax that came close to passage last session had a six year sunset, which Henry says would lead to another fiscal cliff crisis in the early 2020s. Henry recommended a gradual fade out of whatever taxes are passed to lead to more manageable budget situation.

Cut 5 (09) “dollar amount”

The session starts Monday

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It’s a disciplinary action that has been around for years, but now a study involving Tulane University researchers finds that about three out of four pediatricians are saying spankings are no longer recommended. Tulane associate professor Catherine Taylor says that the widely accepted punishment can have a negative outcome on a child.

Cut 6 (07) “…than good for kids.”

So what ill effect can spankings have with kids? Taylor says there are increased risks in multiple unfavorable behaviors later in life.

Cut 7 (09) “…risks are raised.”

But Taylor says it’s important to remember that even though spankings are no longer recommended, discipline in a child’s life is still crucial.

cut 8 (09) “…it always has been.”

Taylor recommends consulting with your pediatrician for advice at to see what the best disciplinary actions are for your child.

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The feds are pumping 40 million dollars into the state’s Childcare Assistance Program, that helps working and middle class parents pay for child care services. That means 4,000 more families will get help finding a safe environment for their pre-kindergarten age children while they’re at work. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says that’s big for working parents.

Cut 9 (08) “great need”

Bronfin says helping working families figure out what to do with their children is not only good for the kids, but great for the economy.

Cut 10 (11) “kindergarten”

The program has had to cut back dramatically in the last decade, as the state cut off all funds for Childcare Assistance after years of budget cuts. Bronfin says those cuts kicked 25 thousand families out of the program.

Cut 11 (12) “years ago”

The program provides, on average, three to four thousand dollars in assistance. the average cost for childcare can run 6,000 dollars.

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US Senator John Kennedy is weighing in on President Donald Trump’s historic summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He says it took a certain kind of person to break through the Hermit kingdom’s tough outer shell, after decades of failed attempts.

Cut 12 (09) “baby step.”

Kennedy, presumably talking about former President Barack Obama, says past threats were laughed off, and with Trump, threats of military action against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are being taken seriously.

Cut 13 (11) “in Syria.”

Bashar Al Assad is the current President of Syria, who has sustained his military rule through nearly a decade of civil war.

The Republican says if the talks do not lead to a firm commitment to allow inspectors to verify the 70-year-old regime’s nuclear and missile sites have been destroyed, then he hopes President Trump would respond accordingly.

Cut 14 (08) “have tried”