The debate over whether New Orleans should receive a 39-million dollar line of credit for a flood protection project because city leaders oppose the state’s abortion ban is over.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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The state-run property insurer of last resort requests a rate hike of over 60 percent. Kevin Gallagher has the story…:
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Well, there’s good news and bad news on how Louisiana fared in 2021 financial wise according to the Census. Brooke Thorington has more.
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After failing on two previous occasions, the Bond Commission approved a 39-million dollar future line of credit for a new power plant for New Orleans drainage pumps. Attorney General Jeff Landry pushed to delay the funding, because he says New Orleans officials pledged not to enforce the state’s abortion ban. Angelique Freel, Civil Director of the Louisiana Department of Justice, spoke on Landry’s behalf…
But New Orleans City Attorney Donesia Turner told the Bond Commission that the mayor, the city council or the police superintendent never said they would not enforce the state’s abortion ban, but it would not be a high priority…
Cut 5 (08) “…be priority.” (2x)
After a spirited discussion, the Bond Commission voted to approve the future line of credit. It’s money the city will not see for a future year, but Franklin Senator Bret Allain says if they keep delaying a vote on this project, it will impact other projects….
Landry has been accused of playing politics by leading the effort to withhold this future line of credit. Landry is expected to run for governor next year, another potential candidate, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser said it’s time to approve the line of credit…
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The Federal Highway Administration approved the state’s Electric Vehicle infrastructure plan which will result in $73 million in federal funding over the next five years.
Louisiana was one of the first states to submit and be approved. Louisiana Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, says this money will be distributed to private companies that will own, install, and operate EV charging stations.
Cut 8 (10) “…the requirements.”
The state won’t own the infrastructure but will be responsible for inspections. Wilson says they expect private sectors to be responsive.
Wilson says Louisiana’s EV charging network is relatively low compared to our neighboring states
Funds are estimated to disburse by summer 2023.
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The state-run property insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens, requests permission to raise rates by over 60 percent. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Citizens requested a 63-percent hike, but he and staff have not gone over it yet. He says the answer is to offer new insurers incentives to come to Louisiana and take on some of those Citizens policies, at much less cost to homeowners…:
Donelon’s plan had measurable success in shrinking Citizens book of business after it ballooned following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. In the past year, six companies have left Louisiana due to the ravages of hurricanes in 2020 and ’21. Donelon says a great many of those displaced customers had to go to Citizens…:
Cut 12 (14) “…114-thousand now.”
Because of the cost of covering all those new policies, Citizens is requesting the rate increase, which Donelon says he’ll go over thoroughly with his staff. If approved it will take effect on January 1st…:
Cut 13 (06) “…what they submitted.”
Donelon says the incentive plan to get new insurers worked before and he’s confident it will work again; bringing needed relief to south Louisiana homeowners.
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Census Bureau data indicates how the Bayou State fared during the pandemic. Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project, Jan Moller says there’s good news and bad news when you look at the numbers. Among the bad is the state’s poverty rate.
Cut 14 (11) “…in the country.”
But Moller is quick to point out that when you look at the Supplemental Poverty Measurement, the financial situation for Louisianans improved during the pandemic. He says in addition to income, it looks at benefits like SNAP and enhanced unemployment and that measure shows the poverty rate decreased.
Moller says national data shows poverty, especially among children fell to historic lows when the expanded Child Tax Credit was available.
In addition to the state’s poverty rate Census data indicated an improvement when it comes to health insurance coverage. Moller says in 2021 those without health insurance fell to an all-time low and approximately 92% of Louisianans had some form of health coverage.
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Data also indicates the median household income dropped from $54,000 in 2019 to $52,000 annually in 2021.
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The Saints welcome Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Ceasars Superdome on Sunday for New Orleans home opener. Brady is 0-4 against the Saints in the regular season since arriving in Tampa. The future Hall of Famer on why the Black and Gold have been their nemesis…
Saints quarterback Jameis Winston gets to face his old team and it’s the opponent he tore his ACL against last October. But Winston is not putting any added significance on this game…
Kick-off on Sunday is at noon.
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The Ragin Cajuns will try to extend the nation’s longest active winning streak to 15 games when they visit the Rice Owls. U-L Lafayette has yet to really get its running game going and Coach Michael Desormeaux says that will be a key in Houston…
Cut 19 (19) “…when you need it”
K-C Ossai has emerged on the Cajuns defense. He has 12 tackles and a forced fumble through two games after just five tackles last season. Desormeaux says there’s a lot to like about the sophomore linebacker from Texas