The Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence is urging lawmakers to pour dollars into domestic violence shelters. Teiko Foxx has more…
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The absence of any teacher pay raises, and big cuts to Early Childhood Education programs in the state’s next budget bill has some up-in-arms. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Even though qualifying is three months away, campaign ads for the gubernatorial election are kicking off. Brooke Thorington.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Domestic violence advocates are encouraging legislators to support funding for domestic violence shelters in the state budget. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says HB1 that passed the House last week did not contain any funding ….
Cut 4 (13) “… necessary funding.”
Louisiana ranked 5th in the nation for femicide and 81% of female homicides in Louisiana are committed by a partner or ex-partner. Unlike other states, only 10% of domestic violence funding comes from state sources. Wineski believes funding is needed to address the obvious needs.
Wineski says a 2021 audit by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor highlighted multiple issues when it comes to helping domestic violence victims — including gaps in service, insufficient funding, lack of oversight for intervention programs, and more.
The coalition is requesting $15 million be added to the family violence program housed at the Department of Children and Family Services – the main oversight and funding source for domestic violence shelters.
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The state’s $45.7-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts this summer has passed the House, but not without some anger and controversy. One issue is the cuts made to Early Childhood Education programs for the next year. Libby Sonnier is executive director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children. She says the House Bill 1 that passed the house cuts funding by about $51-million…:
Cut 7 (12) “…thoughout the state.”
The Governor’s proposed budget added $51-million for Early Childhood, but that was NOT included in the House budget bill. Early Childhood program in Louisiana provide pre-kindergarten education, Head Start programs and privately contracted childcare. Sonnier says, under the House cuts, there will be nearly 8-thousand fewer available slots within the Early Childhood system…:
Cut 8 (06) “…or go to school.”
The budget also came out of the House with NO funding for teacher pay raises, when Governor Edwards asked for at least $2000 per teacher. Members said the raises were “unsustainable.” Cynthia Posey with the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, says they budgeted their own pay raises, $150-million in film tax incentives, plus numerous other tax breaks and expenditures that cut into the bottom line…:
Cut 9 (13) “…choices we’re making.”
The House chose instead to put surplus money toward paying down the teachers’ retirement system’s debt; freeing up money for local school districts to affect teacher raises. Posey says LFT finds the House budget bill – in its current posture – to be very disappointing. She does not expect good outcomes from the House plan…:
HB1 is now in the Senate for committee review.
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Legislation to require parental consent for the use of corporal punishment in Louisiana elementary and secondary schools is scheduled for debate on the House floor today. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty says her bill will clarify language in the current law.
In the past, Hilferty has filed legislation to prohibit the use of corporal punishment altogether and her bill fell short only a few votes from passing. For this session, she changed the language in her bill.
Cut 12 (07) “…of legislation.”
While some school systems allow corporal punishment, others do not, Hilferty says there’s no rhyme or reason why one parish allows it, and another doesn’t it.
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Gubernatorial candidates are already taking to the airwaves. Treasurer John Schroder and AG Jeff Landry have TV ads running and this week ads from the political action committee known as Reboot Louisiana, supporting Stephen Waguespack begin today. La-Politics.com Publisher, Jeremy Alford…
And in the next four weeks, Alford says you can expect to see ads for Independent Hunter Lundy begin. Alford says the Lafayette attorney has the support from two groups you wouldn’t necessarily see paired together.
Cut 15 (10) “…pulling it off.”
Alford says Landry, who leads the pack as far as campaign funding goes, even has tailored ads running. He says will several Republicans in the race, their supporters are eager to have ads airing sooner than later to build name recognition.
As for the lone Democrat, and former Transportation Secretary, Shawn Wilson, Alford says it’s not as critical to have ads running at this point and he believes Wilson will make the runoff due to his strong base. Qualifying is in August and the primary is on October 14th.