The budget lawmakers sent to the governor’s desk contains 84-million dollars in early childhood education. David Grubb has the details on how it can pay off…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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Driving without a safety belt can cost you your life, or at the very least a $50 fine. David Grubb has more…
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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The recently passed state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st gets a big “thumbs up” from college and university leaders. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The Louisiana Legislature prioritized education funding during this year’s session, including $84-million for early childhood education. Libbie Sonnier, Executive Director of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, says this is a landmark moment for the state’s future.
Creating quality early childhood education opportunities has been a priority in Louisiana since the inception of the Cecil Picard LA-4 Early Childhood Program, but challenges caused by COVID and other factors have caused a dip in enrollment meaning a later start for many in acquiring needed skills. Sonnier says these programs ultimately pay for themselves…
The money will be split into two pots, $40-million will go to the Early Childhood Education Fund, which provides matching dollars for local school districts that invest in pre-K programs. The remaining dollars go to childcare assistance for low-income and working families and the LA-4 program. Sonnier is focused on ensuring this commitment lasts…
Cut 6 (12) “…people in Louisiana.”
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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and law enforcement agencies across the state begin their Click it or Ticket campaign today. Louisiana saw a 14 percent increase in traffic fatalities in 2020 and preliminary figures for last year show that tragic trend continuing. Spokesperson Mark Lambert says reckless behavior among drivers is on the rise…
Cut 7 (10) “…a dangerous combination.”
To help put extra officers out on the roads, the LHSC has provided grant money to Louisiana law enforcement agencies. According to the latest data, only 85.7 percent of drivers and passengers in the state wear a seat belt, well below the national average of better than 90 percent.
Cut 8 (09) “…their seatbelts.”
Almost 60 percent of those who died in vehicle crashes in 2020 were either not wearing a seat belt or were wearing it improperly. Lambert says the campaign is not about issuing tickets, but about saving lives.
A first-offense ticket will cost $50, with each subsequent ticket costing $75. Click it or Ticket runs through June 5.
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State higher education leaders are giving the “thumbs up” to the state budget passed last week at the Capitol. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says lawmakers did ‘amazing work” on crafting a budget that fully funds schools under his banner. He says there were a lot of fiscal resources available to legislators, but when you have a lot of available resources…:
Cut 10 (11) “…this investment.”
Henderson says there is enough funding in the budget for the fiscal year that starts in July to provide faculty pay raises and to expand nursing programs at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond and at Nicholls State in Thibodaux. He says there is also money needed for much-needed building updates and upkeep…:
Cut 11 (07) “…and research outcomes.”
Henderson says he’s pleased that the level of funding for colleges and universities is sustainable for future years, because lawmakers avoided using any of the tens of millions of one-time federal money to get it done…:
Henderson says this year’s operating and capital outlay budgets represent the largest investment to the U-L System in more than 15 years.
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A House-passed bill that would allow adults over 21 to carry a concealed weapon without a permit is scheduled for Senate Committee review tomorrow. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is the bill’s author. His bill passed in the House with 64 “yes” votes to 27 “no’s”. He says he expects it WILL pass committee muster…:
Cut 13 (10) “…have Constitutional Carry.”
McCormick stresses that passing the bill will not end Concealed Carry permitting and classes, but it will make that process an option…:
Cut 14 (11) “…legal right to carry.”
McCormick’s same bill made final passage last year, but was vetoed by the Governor. A veto override failed in the Senate last year.
Louisiana has reciprocity agreements in place with many other states, meaning Concealed Carry Permit holders from here may carry their weapons there. Under McCormick’s bill, a person electing to skip getting a CCP would NOT be entitled to carry out-of-state. He says the same bill passed the Senate Judiciary C Committee last year – and it made Senate floor passage, and he feels that’ll happen again…: