Governor Edwards has the final say on whether voters will decide if they want sports betting legalized in their parish. Jeff Palermo has more…
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A Senate Committee approves legislation allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring a gun in a house of worship with the pastor’s permission, but without having to inform the congregation. Matt Doyle has more.
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Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that will ask voters on November 3rd if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a parish approves the referendum, then lawmakers will vote next year on the regulation and taxation of sports wagering, which will be controversial
An effort to legalize sports betting failed in the legislature last year. Henry says by putting the issue before the voters, lawmakers can then decide how they should vote when the sports betting and taxation bills come before them in 2021…
Supporters say sports betting is already happening and if it was legal than the state can tax the activity to generate revenue. Opponents say legal sports betting will produce more problem gamblers, which ends up costing taxpayers.
Henry says the ballot question will ask voters if sports wagering activities and operations should be permitted in your parish. He says lawmakers will determine next year where sports bets can be taken
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A bill that removes many restrictions on who can be prescribed medical marijuana is nearing final legislative passage. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the treatment has helped many, including former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Mills says Blanco’s daughter said the medical cannabis gave her mom a few more good days before she died…
On a 28-to-six vote, the Senate approved the measure that would allow a state-licensed doctor to recommend the treatment for any debilitating health conditions. Mills assured the Senate this was not an effort to legalize recreational marijuana…
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Under current law, cannabis can only be used to treat a specific list of diseases or disorders that includes cancer, seizures, Parkinson’s, and PTSD. Mills says this legislation removes those restrictions…
Before the bill goes to the governor’s desk, the House will need to approve Senate changes to the measure.
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Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraged by the state’s recent COVID-19 numbers, but as for a decision on Phase Two reopening that will have to wait. Edwards says the data is still being analyzed, but it’s encouraging to see the number of hospitalizations has fallen below 800
He hopes to make the announcement on June 1st on possible movement to Phase Two, Phase One is currently in effect until June 5th.
The number of patients who are hospitalized dropped by another 37 on Thursday to 761.
Edwards says based on the number of positive cases of those who have been tested and the fact that you can be an asymptomatic carrier it is so important that we all wear masks.
Edwards says the state has made great progress going from number two in the country to number nine of COVID-19 cases per capita because so many have cooperated with guidelines, but we must continue to do so.
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A House-approved bill allowing a concealed handgun permit holder to bring a gun into a church without informing the congregation heads to the Senate floor for final passage.
Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham began the hearing by addressing one of most commonly cited concerns related to the bill…
The legislation still requires a concealed carrier to ask the pastor or other leader of the house of worship for permission to carry while on the premises.
Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka says it will make churches a safer place.
Churches can currently allow concealed carry, but the congregation must be informed who is carrying. Bill sponsor Representative Bryan Fontenot says that requirement made carriers a target.
Church Attorney Andrew Wilson spoke against the bill. He says the measure would call for anti-carry churches to post large “no gun signs”, ruining church atmospheres.
Wilson also cited scripture quoting Jesus as saying weapons should not be deployed to protect his followers.
Reverend John David Andrew, speaking on behalf of the Episcopal Dioceses of Louisiana, says this bill endangers the safety of students going to schools attached to churches…
The Senate Judiciary C reported the bill to the floor on a 4-1 vote.