The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping for a more productive gathering than the recent special session. Matt Doyle has more.
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The same divides that wrecked any hopes of a fiscal cliff solution could linger into the regular session that begins today. Kelley Ray has more.
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Governor John Bel Edwards supports a bill that rolls back the standard public school teachers need to achieve for tenure. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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The regular session kicks off today, and Governor John Bel Edwards is hoping the legislature gets more accomplished than the special session that ended without a clear solution to the fiscal cliff. The special session was notable for its stark partisan divides, which Edwards says were the worst he’s seen in a decade.
Legislators are not allowed to address revenue issues in this regular session, so the fiscal cliff will have to wait for another special session to be called afterwards.
Despite the tension, Edwards says he’s optimistic that the legislature will put aside their differences and come together for a productive regular session.
Edwards says he and House Speaker Taylor Barras had the framework for a fiscal cliff deal in place, only to see the speaker back away from the plan early into the special session. Edwards says going forward, legislators need to place more trust in each other’s good intentions.
To kick off the regular session, the governor released his legislative agenda to advance the well-being of Louisiana children and seniors, that includes legislation addressing teacher tenure, and abuse of individuals with infirmities.
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The regular session begins today less than a week after the special session crashed and burned. Fiscal cliff negotiations will be put on hold while a slew of other issues take center stage. There are several gun control bills filed. But Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin doesn’t see any of the measures to restrict who can purchase an assault rifle passing.
18 states raised their minimum wage this year, and a few major companies are following suite. Erwin says while the national landscape is tilting in favor of higher wages, he doesn’t see it happening in Louisiana.
Substantial changes to the state retirement system have been considered, but ultimately scrapped in past session, but Erwin says he sees support building for a fundamental overhaul of how new hired state employees receive their benefits.
Substantial changes to the state retirement system have been considered, but ultimately scrapped in past session, but Erwin says he sees support building for a fundamental overhaul of how new hired state employees receive their benefits.
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Governor John Bel Edwards released his legislative agenda aimed at improving the well-being of children and seniors. One of the bills included is West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman’s proposal to reduce the requirements necessary for public school teachers to obtain tenure. Hoffman says the current requirements are unfair to educators.
Currently, teachers must be rated “highly efficient” for five of six years to qualify. The bill would lower the requirement to “effective: proficient”.
Hoffman says only 20 percent of teachers in a given year qualify for “highly efficient” status. He says his bill makes the requirements for tenure more reasonable.
West Virginia teachers recently won a strike for higher pay and benefits, and reports showed Louisiana teachers are paid about 2,000 dollars less per year than the regional average. Hoffman says this is the kind of legislation that will make sure Louisiana can attract and retain quality instructors.
Hoffman is also proposing a bill that would alter the way the teacher evaluation system is weighed.
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With the onset of spring comes seasonal allergies and this year could be a very long season. For those who suffer from hay fever, it spells many weeks of sniffing, sneezing, watery eyes and post nasal drainage. Physician Dr. Peter Boggs says the allergy season started early due to record breaking warmth in February. But there is still a lot of pollen to go around…
Cut 13 (10) “pollen predominatly.”
There are differences between colds and allergies. Boggs says if you are wondering if it’s a cold or if it’s allergies, there’s an easy way to find out…
For allergy sufferers, there are some treatments that can help that don’t involve over the counter medicine. Boggs says he has treated many patients successfully with immunotherapy, but it involves a shot and visiting your doctor. Boggs says there are treatments you can do yourself…
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Spring football is underway LSU and so is the competition to be the Tigers starting quarterback in the fall. Head Coach Ed Orgeron says soon to be junior Justin McMillan made a good first impression on Sunday, the first practice of spring…
The LSU coaching staff is also looking for a featured running back to emerge in the spring. Orgeron says since there’s no Leonard Fournette or Derius Guice on the roster, they will be an offense that depends more on its passing game…
LSU enters spring thin at cornerback, with only five scholarship cornerbacks on the roster. Greedy Williams will start at one cornerback spot and Orgeron says they have candidates to start at the other spot and there’s a potential they can add to this position with a graduate transfer…
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After winning 10 in a row, the Pelicans have now lost two straight. Utah came into the Smoothie King Center yesterday and beat the Pels 116 to 99. During the 10 game win streak, New Orleans was averaging about 125 points a game, but in the last two, they’ve failed to 100. Head Coach Alvin Gentry….
The loss puts New Orleans into a tie for 4th place in the Western Conference. But just a game and a half ahead of Denver, who is in 9th place. Gentry sees why the Pelicans have lost their last two games…