Governor Edwards deploys 23 State Fire Marshal personnel to Puerto Rico to assist in the recovery from recent earthquakes. Kevin Barnhart has the story
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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A new organization headed up by a former Governor Edwards campaign staffer says Republican TORT reform efforts will not lead to lower insurance rates. Matt Doyle has more…
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About two-dozen Louisiana state fire marshal employees left for Puerto Rico today to assist with earthquake recovery efforts. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they’ll inspect thousands of damaged buildings and determine what repairs are needed so they can be safely reoccupied
Browning says this is the first time the State Fire Marsha’s office has been asked to respond to an earthquake…
Browning says the Caribbean Island has seen its share of natural disasters lately…
Cut 5 (10) “…caused significant damage.”
23 deputies and personnel are on the deployment that’s expected to last 16 days.
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Lawsuit reform and car insurance rate arguments are set to dominate the upcoming session, and a new group has been formed to push back against leading Republican proposals for TORT reform.
Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl, a former Governor Edwards campaign staffer opposes the Republican-crafted omnibus TORT reform bill he says is a giveaway to big business.
HB 9 is being brought by Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo, who believes the legislation will lower auto rates in two to three years.
Holl says a nearly identical bill was brought last session and number crunchers from the insurance industry…
Holl adds under oath last session insurance industry executives could not guarantee the legislation would actually lower rates.
Instead of lowering jury trial thresholds, Holl recommends focusing on insurance policy that discriminates against the working class in favor of the rich.
Proponents of HB9 argue reducing the number of jury trials will save insurance companies money that they will then pass down to customers.
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Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces the rollout of the Small Business Protection Act, helping business owners stay aware of proposed regulations that could impact their business operations. Ardoin says the goal is to protect businesses from overregulation.
Ardoin says businesses that sign up at smallbiz.sos.la.gov will get updates so that they are not blindsided by regulation changes.
The Act passed in the 2019 Legislative session and went into effect February 1st. Ardoin says depending on the nature of the business, there can be plenty of regulation to impact operations.
Cut 11 (12) “…interest for this.”
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LSU is still seeking it’s next President and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne spoke with Talk Louisiana about his interest in the job earlier today.
Dardenne says he is interested in the job. He noted what a wonderful time it is to be a leader at the school.
There are reports LSU is considering splitting the job up for future hires between the leader of the flagship campus, and someone who would run the system. Dardenne buys both arguments.
If he gets the job, Dardenne would be the first former board member to ever hold the position. He was elected Student Body President while attending.
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