In the closing minutes of the legislative session, lawmakers expressed their frustration over last-minute changes to the budget. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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State lawmakers failed to issue permanent pay raises for school teachers and staff in the legislative session that ended last week, and the state’s biggest teachers’ union is NOT happy. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A new Bankrate.com survey finds 66% of U.S. adults have a negative view about tipping and are forking over gratuities in smaller amounts. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 3 (31) “….I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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At the close of the regular legislative session, lawmakers say they had only 20 minutes to review and vote on the state budget. The final budget had a $100 million cut to the Department of Health and only one year appropriated for teacher pay raises. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the budget was drastically different when it returned from the House.
Cut 4 (08) “…either.’”
Luneau says the most frustrating cut was to LDH, without any testimony in committee if the money actually legitimately needed to be cut.
Cut 5 (06) “…in Louisiana.”
The final budget dedicated funding for $2,000 teacher pay raises but only for the next fiscal year. Luneau says if the state can’t bring teacher pay up to the southern regional average at a time when the state is flush with cash…
Cut 6 (09) “…southern average.”
Overall Luneau says the session went well and they were able to address several issues but it’s unfortunate how it ended with the budget.
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When the state legislature concluded its business last week, it avoided dealing out pay raises for teachers and school staff; opting instead to give one-time bonuses of $2000 per teacher, and $1000 for support workers. Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey says calling that “disappointing” is an understatement…:
Cut 7 (13) “…almost a crime.”
Back in 2007, Louisiana teacher salaries were raised to meet the Southern Regional Education Board average, but have trailed more and more behind those other states in the years since. The state also has a shortage of certified educators. Posey says Louisiana needs to prioritize education funding or face further losses. She says teachers feel disenfranchised…:
Cut 8 (12) “…in education period?’”
The House avoided a vote on a Senate resolution that would have funded the teacher pay raises; electing instead to give them another one-time stipend. Posey hopes lawmakers will see things differently next year…:
Cut 9 (06) “…and children first.”
Posey says investing in teachers and schools is investing in kids and Louisiana’s future.
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Service employees are seeing smaller tips or no tips at all according to a new Bankrate.com survey that shows 66% of people have a negative view of tipping. Senior Analyst Ted Rossman points out that gratuities are declining while annoyance with the request of tips is on the rise.
Cut 10 (13) “…lot more.”
Tipped workers receive a federal minimum wage of $2.13 per hour according to the U-S Department of Labor. In 2022, 65% of adults who dine at a sit-down restaurant tip their server which is down compared to 75% in 2021. Rossman says frequency tipping between gender and age was significant.
Cut 11 (12) “…tip better”
67% of Midwesterners are more likely to always tip at a sit-down restaurant compared to 48% of Southerners. The study shows nearly one in three adults are annoyed by tip suggestions on screens. Rossman believes people are stingier when confronted with invitations to tip on the screen.
Cut 12 (13) “…for it.”
Rossman suggests tipping 20 percent as a standard practice.
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LSU is heading back to Omaha as the Fighting Tigers topped Kentucky eight to three last night to win the Baton Rouge Super Regional Series which punched their ticket into the College World Series. Cade Beloso delivered a three-run homer in the third inning to snap a one-one tie…
Cut 13 (13) “…after that”
Coach Jay Johnson is leading his third different team to the College World Series, but this one means a lot…
Cut 14 (14) “pretty special.”
Johnson is leading LSU to the College World Series in just his second season in Tiger Town…
Cut 15 (09) “…so bad.”
Center fielder Dylan Crews is one of the best players in college baseball and now he gets an opportunity to play in the College World Series. Crews hit a screaming two-run double in the ninth inning in his final at-bat at Alex Box Stadium. The two-time SEC Player of the Year admits he was nervous…
Cut 16 (16) “…it was awesome.”
LSU will play the winner of today’s game between Tennessee and Southern Miss in the opening round of the College World Series. The game is expected to take place on Saturday.