An effort to raise the state’s minimum wage is still alive at the state capitol as the Senate Labor Committee approved a bill to raise the minimum wage to 10-dollars an hour next year, 12-dollars in 2026 and 14-dollars in 2028. Louisiana AFL-CIO’s Matt Wood spoke on behalf of the bill…
cut 7 (09) “…minimum wage”
Raising the minimum wage in Governor Edwards’ last year in office remains a longshot. A similar bill was defeated in the House Labor Committee.

An effort to add exceptions for rape and incest which would soften the state’s abortion ban is dead for this legislative session. Edwards says victims in those cases shouldn’t be forced to carry a child for both their physical and mental health…
cut 12 (07) “…..exceptions”
During committee debate, Heather Hobbs told lawmakers her daughter was conceived in a rape and says she’s not a child of a rapist, but a child of rape survivor.

A House-approved bill to extend the state’s $150-million annual film tax credit program clears a Senate committee, but with a big change.
Cut 1 (34) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The House Education Committee approves legislation that would require schools to establish safety policies for carpool and bus lines for K-through- 5th graders. Slidell Representative Robert Owen authored the bill in response to last year’s death of a six-year-old girl fatally struck by a truck in a school parking lot in Slidell.
Cut 7 (10) “…too many.”
Under Owen’s bill, students under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a school employee while walking to and from a vehicle.

The Louisiana House approves a bill that reduces the maximum number of weeks, 26 to 20, a person can receive unemployment benefits during a 12 month period. New Orleans Representative Wilford Carter says this legislation hurts the unemployed worker and the state
cut 13 (05) “….receiving benefits”
Supporters say this bill could result in the unemployed finding a job faster.

A new survey finds labor quality surpasses inflation as the number one problem facing small business owners. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says many small business owners are willing to pay higher wages to get better workers…
cut 26 (07) “….few months”

Mother’s Day is Sunday and it’s one of the most popular days for restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association spokesperson Wendy Waren says about 80 million people will take their mom’s out to eat for their special day in the US. And if you’re looking to avoid the crowds, she has some suggestions…
Cut 9 (10) “…a Sunday.”
And while the restaurant industry was among the hardest hit during the pandemic, Waren says they’ve adapted to changes and most are well prepared to make Mom’s Day special this year.

There was not a dry eye during a legislative hearing as Amy Savoie told the story of her six-year-old daughter who was killed when she was struck by a truck in the parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Slidell last year…
cut 30 (10) “…be protected”
The House Education Committee sent a bill to the House floor that requires elementary schools to establish carpool and bus line safety policies.

The House Education Committee also approved a bill mandating daily recess of at least 15 minutes for kindergarteners through fifth graders. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says her bill would impact eleven percent of the schools in the state. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris was surprised to hear the percentage was that high…
cut 12 (06) “…the day”
The bill moves to the House floor.

State Police has released the body camera video footage of the fatal officer-involved shooting of 33-year-old Joseph Taylor. Taylor was shot multiple times after he was pulled over for a traffic violation by Shreveport police on April 23rd. The video shows officers trying to get Taylor out of his vehicle, he’s then physically forced out and wrestled to the ground and that’s when officers discovered he’s armed with a gun…
cut 5 (11) “….(sound:painful groaning)
The Caddo District Attorney will determine if the shooting was justified.

A new survey finds labor quality surpasses inflation as the number one problem facing small business owners. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says many small business owners are willing to pay higher wages to get better workers…
cut 14 (07) “….few months”

The state’s largest hospital system, Ochsner Health, reportedly plans to lay off 770 employees across its 42 hospitals and 200 urgent care and health centers in Louisiana and Mississippi. The Advocate newspaper reports most of the cuts will occur in management, administrative jobs and clerical positions.

The House Education Committee approves a bill that mandates elementary schools implement safety measures where parents pick up and drop-off their children.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

Legislation to require public school students, K through five, to have at least 15 minutes of recess a day advances to the full House. Houma Representative Beryl Amadee says studies show the benefits of recess and quotes the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Cut 10 (09) “… unstructured play.”
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers expressed concern this could lead to longer school days and another requirement for teachers.

State Police release police bodycam footage from the April 23rd officer-involved shooting of 33-year-old Joseph Taylor. The initial investigation reports Shreveport Police Officer Anthony Visciotti stopped Taylor’s ’94 Chevy Caprice for swerving. The officer sought to determine if the driver was impaired. At first, Taylor refuses to get out of his car…:
Cut 4 (09) “…out of here quick.”
Visciotti is assisted by other officers who physically remove Taylor from the car. A struggle ensues on the ground san that’s when an officer saw Taylor was armed with a gun and Taylor was shot multiple times.

Finding qualified employees surpasses inflation as the top concern among small businesses.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Emotional testimony at the state capitol over a bill to add exceptions for rape and incest to the state’s abortion ban. Bill author, New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd…
cut 28 (05) “…with that”
Pro life advocate Woody Jenkins…
cut 29 (03) “…conception”
The bill to make changes to the state’s abortion ban failed.

There was not a dry eye during a legislative hearing as Amy Savoie told the story of her six-year-old daughter who was killed when she was struck by a truck in the parking lot of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Slidell last year…
cut 30 (10) “…be protected”
The House Education Committee sent a bill to the House floor that requires elementary schools to establish carpool and bus line safety policies.

House Education also approved a bill that requires daily recess of at least 15 minutes for public school students between kindergarten and fifth grade. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee says it’s good for a child’s physical and mental health…
cut 11 (11) “…classroom”
Amedee says some schools dropped recess because of the demand on achieving a certain number of hours of instructional time.