St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills received widespread criticism from members of his own party when he voted against a bill to ban gender-affirming care. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A Senate-approved bill in response to the death of LSU student Madison Brooks in January fails to get approval from the House Judiciary Committee. Jeff Palermo has more….
Cut 2 (36) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Republican Senator Fred Mills from St. Martin Parish says he has no regrets about voting against a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth despite the criticism he’s receiving from conservatives. The pharmacist says the legislation restricted a physician from prescribing certain FDA-approved hormonal medications…
Cut 3 (09) “…to me.”
Mills also had issue if a physician did in a rare instance prescribe hormonal care for minors, their livelihood would be in jeopardy.
Cut 4 (05) “…like that.”
Another reason Mills says he voted against the legislation was after reading findings from a study on transgender-affirming care in the state by the Louisiana Department of Health. The study found that the standard of care already doesn’t allow a physician to alter parts of the body of a patient until the age of 18.
The study also indicated that only 52 children in 2021 have ever had hormonal treatment in Louisiana. He says the bill would deny those children accessibility because the bill would have banned their ongoing care.
Cut 5 (10) “…that decision.”
The bill failed in Senate Health and Welfare when Mills sided with Democrats on the committee and voted against the bill to break a tie.
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Legislation in response to the death of 19-year-old LSU student Madison Brooks fails to get out of the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate approved bill would hold bars liable if an underage person consumes alcohol at their establishment and then injures themselves or others. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh voted against the measure because it protects a person who breaks the law…
Cut 6 (13) “…with that”
In January, Brooks consumed several drinks at a Tigerland bar near LSU’s campus. After leaving the establishment, she was allegedly raped inside a vehicle and then killed while crossing a road in the middle of the night. Her mother, Ashley Baustert, pleaded with the committee to pass this bill…
Cut 7 (11) “…in place”
Seabaugh and other lawmakers who voted against the legislation had compassion for Brooks’ family, but they did not want to pass a law that protects an individual who breaks the law by purchasing drinks when under the age of 21…
Cut 8 (06) “…not it”
The vote in House Judiciary was 6 to 6, so the panel could still take up the measure again. But with less than two weeks left in the session, it doesn’t look like this legislation will reach the governor’s desk for his signature.
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State lawmakers have approved the 2023 coastal master plan, which is the state’s vision for the long-term sustainability of South Louisiana. The chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, Chip Kline, says the plan was developed utilizing the best available science and engineering, as well as public input
Cut 9 (10) “…master plan”
State lawmakers also approved a financial annual plan for coastal restoration projects. Kline says one-point-six billion dollars will be used to fund 147 projects across the coast…
Cut 10 (12) “…new land.”
It’s estimated that an investment in our coast at this level will create nearly nine-thousand jobs.
Kline says before the legislative session ends, lawmakers have the opportunity to appropriate another 157-million dollars in surplus money for flood protection projects. But he says at this point legislators have yet to agree to do this
Cut 11 (14) “…that opportunity”
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During the LSU Lady Tigers’ visit to the White House this afternoon, Freshman backup forward Smyah Smith collapsed while President Biden was giving his remarks. Shortly beforehand Biden praised the team and coach Kim Mulkey, who’s been to the White House five times now representing a championship team.
Cut 12 (12) “…laughter.”
Biden also pointed out their National Championship game was the most-watched game in woman’s basketball. The President also said he wasn’t surprised when Angel Reese was named the most outstanding player, but he also blamed her for the recent inflation on the hard pines.
Cut 13 (09) “…then times.”
Biden also got a round of applause when he pointed out that ticket prices for the women’s basketball team cost more than the men’s team. He thanked them for the example they’ve set for young women across the country and the kindness they’ve extended to their fans.
Cut 14 (12) “…it matters.”
Smith fainted during the visit while standing behind the President on the risers with her teammates. The ceremony was briefly halted and Smith is reportedly back on her feet.