Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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After a catastrophic computer systems failure, the state Office of Motor Vehicles remains closed statewide today. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (29)  “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Legislation that would require public schools statewide to schedule at least 15 minutes of supervised, unstructured free play time of recess for grades kindergarten through fifth was approved by the House in a 66 to 28 vote. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says under this legislation no special accommodations are required.

Cut 3 (12) “…funded mandate.”

A recent study finds 89 percent of schools in Louisiana currently have recess and 56 percent offer more than 15 minutes of recess for students according to The Status of Health and Physical Education in Louisiana Public. Amedee says the numbers are encouraging, however…

Cut 4 (08)  “…of schools.” 

The bill would allow recess not to be counted toward the minimum of 360 instructional minutes required each school day. Amedee says recess time would be beneficial for their social and emotional well-being.

Cut 5 (08) “…learn better.”

The bill heads to the Senate.

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Legislation to set minimum bail amounts for crimes of violence and or the use of a firearm advances from House Criminal Justice. Crowley Representative John Stefanski’s bill would set a minimum bail of $50,000 for a violent crime and $100,000 for one that involves the use of a firearm.

Cut 6 (10)  “…did that.” 

Michael Calhoun with the Promise of Justice Initiative spoke in opposition to the bill. He says it’s often family members of the accused who have to pay the bond or place their homes or assets at risk so the accused can prepare for trial.

Cut 7 (09)  “…their income.” 

Stefanski says the majority of the time Judges set bonds accordingly, but this is his attempt to make Louisiana safer.

Cut 8 (11)  “…the crime.” 

The bill passed favorably in committee heads to the House floor.

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Louisiana ranks the fourth unhealthiest state for adults 65 and older for the second year according to the United Health Foundation’s 11^th America’s Health Rankings Senior Report. Chief Medical Officer for the Medicare and Retirement Division Dr. Phillip Painter says there are a number of challenges that weigh against seniors living in the Bayou State.

Cut 9 (12) “…should be”

The report covers 52 measures providing insights into many of the strengths and areas of improvement in the health of seniors nationally and state-wide. Poverty among seniors statewide rose by 14 percent from 12 percent to 14 percent between 2018 – 2021. Painter says additional funding from the local government could help raise the state ranking.

Cut 10 (10) “…stay healthy.”

Access to healthcare, physical environment, social and economic factors, and healthy behaviors play a vital role in the ranking. Painter says there’s still hope for improvement for Louisiana seniors.

Cut 11 (12)  “…or exercise”

Louisiana falls below Mississippi which is the unhealthiest state in the nation.

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A bill to ban social media platforms from allowing minors to have their own account without parental consent passed in the Senate but it would only go into effect if funds are allocated for enforcement.  Bill author, Covington Senator Patrick McMath…

Cut 12 (11) “…health crisis.” 

Minors in the bill are defined as ages 15 and younger.

If enacted, McMath says the Attorney General’s Office would be tasked with investigating and enforcing Senate Bill 162, and…

Cut 13 (12) “…this law” 

McMath says Utah and Arkansas have passed similar legislation and so far it appears that some of the larger social media outlets are agreeable to such changes.

Cut 14 (08)  “…is going.”

The Senate passed the bill on a 37-0 vote and it advances to the lower chamber.

On his monthly radio program, Governor Edwards wouldn’t say if he plans to veto any legislation this year similar to what he vetoed two years ago. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Congressman Clay Higgins is seen on video physically removing an activist away from a press conference. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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On his monthly radio show Ask the Governor, Governor John Bel Edwards was questioned about anti-LGBTQ legislation making its way through the legislature and if he plans to veto any of them. The governor wouldn’t say if he plans to or not, only…

Cut 3 (09) “…unfortunate.”

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton’s bill that passed in the House on a 67 to 28 vote prohibits discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. Governor Edwards brought up the example of when the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015.

Cut 4 (11)  “…exactly none.” 

Two years ago, the governor vetoed anti-transgender legislation and a bill to allow for concealed carry. Lawmakers failed to reach a two-thirds majority to override the vetoes. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick often refers to his bill as “Constitutional Carry.”  Edwards says he still believes in training and background checks for guns.

Cut 5 (11) “…conceal carry.”

The session ends three-weeks from today.

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Legislation that would provide access to free menstrual products to female students in public schools was passed by the House in a 79 to 17 vote. State Policy for Alliance for Period Supplies Manager Lacey Gero says this is a positive step towards removing embarrassment for female students across the state.

Cut 6 (12)  “…education met.” 

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman reintroduced her bill after it stalled last year on the Senate floor. One in four students – particularly from lower-income or rural areas – will suffer from period poverty according to a survey by PERIOD and Thinx. Gero says under the legislation the products would be in an easily accessible location at no cost to students.

Cut 7 (10)  “…would be.” 

The cost of the menstrual products will vary by school depending on the number of dispensers. Funding would come from the state’s general fund. Gero hopes lawmakers will keep female students in mind when casting their votes.

Cut 8 (06)  “…those issues.” 

Eleven states already have bills requiring schools to provide menstrual products, and at least 20 states have eliminated the tax on menstrual products.

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Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is seen on video physically moving an activist away from a news conference on Capitol Hill. The activist asked Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert about her divorce from her husband and that’s when Higgins ushered him away

Cut 9 (10) “…stand by”

The activist, identified as a Jake Burdett, says Higgins assaulted him as he physically removed him from the press conference. Higgins, a former sheriff’s deputy, says the activist was mentally disturbed and threatening and he was escorted out and turned over to Capitol Police…

Cut 10 (07) “…get off me.”  (4x)

Burdett complained on his Twitter account that he was detained by the cops, while Higgins was not…

Cut 11 (10)  “…was attacked”

Video shows Burdett asking Congresswoman Boebert if her divorce was the result of customers complaining about food poisoning at her now closed restaurant Shooters Grill. Boebert says the restaurant closed because the landlord decided not to renew their lease and the decision was not political.

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Louisiana’s budget surplus grew larger today as the Revenue Estimating Conference increased the amount of available dollars to spend by 323-million for this fiscal year and 483-million for next fiscal year. But Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the House is taking a conservative approach but the Senate is ready to spend this money on infrastructure projects…

Cut 12 (11) “…some debt.” 

In order to spend all this cash, the House and Senate have to agree by a two-thirds vote to break the spending cap…

Cut 13 (10) “…stalemate” 

With the new revenue projections, the Edwards administration is asking the Legislature to provide a three-thousand dollar raise for teachers, increase early childhood education funding and put more dollars towards new bridges in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge. Pinsonat says the House is fearful of a decline in state revenues in a couple of years, so there’s a stalemate

Cut 14 (08)  “…last hour.”

The regular session must conclude on Thursday June 8th.