We’re officially in session as lawmakers begin three months in Baton Rouge amidst growing uncertainty over collapsing oil prices and the state’s first presumptive case of COVID-19.
The Governor’s budget calls for a combined 64 million in new spending for early childhood education, and K-12. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the oil collapse could impact those priorities…
Cut 14 (09) “…of that.” (Cut down)
Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson is concerned the uncertainty could result in the legislature having to wait longer than usual for a consensus from the Revenue Estimating Conference.
Cut 15 (12) “…yet.” (Cut down)
Without that they can’t craft a final budget.
Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says it’s not good news, but…
Cut 16 (09) the budget” (Cut down)
COVID fears, tort reform, and oil prices may be dominating the conversation but Governor Edwards says he’s not going to be deterred from pursuing his goal of raising the minimum wage, and ending pay secrecy, which the governor says will close the state’s highest in the nation gender pay gap.
Edwards is upping the ante this year, backing a larger increase in the state’s 7.25 an hour minimum than he did in his first term.
National Federation of Independent Business state director Dawn Starns says it’s disappointing and frustrating to hear Governor Edwards double down on pressing forward with minimum wage increases and equal pay legislation. Starns says the Governor’s attempt to fulfill a campaign promise will only result in lost jobs.