A new poll of Louisiana voters shows their biggest concern right now is with a crime. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A bill related to the use of corporal punishment in K-12 schools has been filed for the upcoming session. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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One of the biggest decisions lawmakers will address this session is over teacher pay raises. Brooke Thorington has more.
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A new poll shows crime is the Number One concern of Louisiana voters. The poll was conducted by JMC Analytics for Justice Action Network and shows 40 percent of respondents replied they are more worried about rising crime and criminal justice than issues like the economy, the environment, and public health. Pollster John Couvillon says on the surface that much seems obvious, but there is another takeaway in the polling results…:
Cut 4 (10) “…punishment is warranted.”
The poll indicates we are worried about crime, but think jail cells are for violent offenders. The JMC poll sampled over 600 Louisiana voters. 7-percent of respondents were white; 28 percent were black. The political party mix was 40 percent Democrat, 38 percent Republican and 22 percent Independent or other party. Couvillon says the SECOND largest concern for voters is the economy and inflation…:
Cut 5 (12) “…folks in the state.”
Coming in third among voter concerns was Education. Couvillon says the subject has many fiscal and socio-political nuances that may deserve further in-depth polling…:
Cut 6 (08) “…one word: education.”
You can read the entire poll report at “WinWithJMC.com”
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Among the bills filed for the upcoming session is one related to corporal punishment in elementary and secondary schools. Even though policies vary across individual school systems, Metairie Rep Stephanie Hilferty wants to incorporate a statewide rule for the matter.
Last year Hilferty sponsored legislation that would ban the practice across the board altogether and it narrowly missed passage. In this session she wants parents to make the decision if the school system can or cannot physically punish their child.
Even though Hilferty believes corporal punishment should be discontinued in public schools, she wants parents to chime in among the school systems that still allow for it.
Cut 9 (11) “…child’s behavior.”
According to the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents for the 2021-2022 school year, 19 school districts allowed corporal punishment.
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A new study by Tulane University researchers finds a link between how getting sick often may impact how quickly the brain ages and increase the risk of dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, Liz Engler-Chiurazzi says the study showed aging male mice who experienced sporadic colds or flu often had impaired cognition.
This study is the first to model intermittent infections in mice and examine the long-term consequences for brain function. Engler-Chirurazzi says in humans, cognitive impairments from a similar number of inflammations could have increasing effects that negatively impact the brain.
The findings may have implications on how infections are handled among the elderly and those at risk for dementia. Engler-Chirurazzi says if dementia is hereditary treatment should be rendered in a way to mitigate those effects.
Cut 12 (08) “…more aggressively”
Engler-Chiuarazzi says in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to stay healthy and infection-free as possible.
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For his final year in office, Governor Edwards has proposed a $2,000 annual teacher pay raise and if the Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes additional funds, he wants a $3,000 pay increase instead. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin on the one hand lawmakers want to give teachers an increase in pay…
Last year Edwards pushed for a $2,000 raise and lawmakers agreed to a $1,500 increase. Erwin says once again, lawmakers are concerned that once a sales tax is repealed the raises won’t be sustainable.
Erwin believes the larger school districts are more likely to be able to budget for pay raises as opposed to smaller districts that have less revenue.
In his two terms, Edwards has pushed for teacher pay to reach the southern regional average which is $56,000. Erwin says Louisiana ranks 12th out of the 16 states in the southern region with an average pay of $53,000.
Cut 15 (07) “…southern average.”
Erwin says schools across the state and country continue to be plagued with staffing shortages.
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LSU celebrated its first national championship in basketball with a parade through campus that ended in the Maravich Center and the celebration continued in the PMAC as several players, Coach Kim Mulkey and dignitaries spoke in front of some grateful fans. The seniors had a chance to speak, including Alexis Morris
It was just two years ago when Tickfaw native Kim Mulkey was introduced in the PMAC as the new head coch of the Lady Tigers. Mulkey says the goal was to win a national title…
Mulkey spoke for a few minutes and left the stage with this message…