In his State of the State speech to begin the legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his priorities for lawmakers to address. In addition to giving teachers at least a 15-hundred dollar pay raise, Edwards also wants to give a $100-a-month pay hike to first responders; like law enforcement officers and firefighters.
Cut 7 (14) “…the public deserves it.”

Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds has filed legislation to address the state’s public school teacher shortage. Edmonds is proposing that retired teachers can earn up to 50-percent of their annual pension, up from the current cap of 25-percent…
cut 12 (10) “….that way”
Edmonds’ legislation is waiting for discussion in the House Retirement Committee.

Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell has legislation that would prevent students from accessing pornography or sexually explicit content on their personal phones or computers while connected to a university’s wifi network or internet service provider. Mizell says she’s received pushback from groups who say her bill violates the first amendment…
cut 14 (12) “…taxpayer money”
The bill will be discussed in the regular session.

State Police has hired the Bowman Group for one-point-five million dollars to perform a comprehensive independent external review and assessment of the agency’s policies, procedures, practices, culture and training of troopers. Trooper Dustin Dwight says the Bowman Group is the right choice for the job…
cut 6 (08) “….assessment”
When the assessment is concluded LSP will share the recommendations with the public.

A recent state report showed that nearly 50-thousand students go without their regular teacher each day, and roughly 25 percent of teachers in the classroom are either uncertified or teaching outside of their field. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the crisis is only getting worse.
Cut 10 (07) “…anytime soon.”
To help plug the hole in the dyke, Edmonds wants to create inducements to bring retired educators back to school. The Republican has a bill that would raise the cap on how much a retired teacher could receive from their pension if they returned to the classroom.

During his state of the state address, Governor John Bel Edwards urged lawmakers to give teachers at least a 15-hundred dollar pay raise. The governor also says it’s important to replenish the state’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund by using federal pandemic relief dollars…
cut 9 (13) “…right now”

Previous legislation to ban access to sexually explicit content on state-issued phones and computers gave universities an exception to the rule under the guise of research. Brooke Thorington has more on legislation to remove the exception.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An emotional weekend for the LSU men’s basketball program concludes with the Tigers getting an invite to the NCAA tournament.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The 2022 regular legislative session begins at noon. Legislators will spend the next three months determining how to spend two-point-eight billion dollars in revenues as a result of coronavirus pandemic aid and state surplus dollars. Redistricting, anti-transgender bills, abortion legislation, and allowing for the carrying of a concealed handgun without a permit are other issues.

Insurance reform will be a big topic during the course of the three-month long legislative session that begins today. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the package of the bills will improve the overall picture for all involved…
cut 12 (12) “….yet insurer-friendly”
One of the bills filed would require insurance companies to pay for expenses if the policyholder is forced to evacuate due to an approaching storm.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown appeared before the State Police Oversight Committee and told the panel he recommended the firing of one of the troopers involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene. Brown was also asked about the slow release of body camera footage but he couldn’t give more information because the case is under federal investigation…
cut 14 (04) “….be investigated”

The 2022 Legislative regular session begins today and even though it’s not a fiscal session, money will dominate the discussion over the next three months. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says lawmakers have two-point-eight billion dollars in one-time revenue to spend
Cut 4 (08) “…highways.”
The extra cash on hand is the result of federal pandemic aid and leftover money from previous state budgets.

There are many LSU fans who are in disbelief that Will Wade is no longer the men’s basketball coach. Wade was fired on Saturday over alleged recruiting violations and assistant Kevin Nickelberry has been named interim head coach. Nickelberry says the players were heartbroken when they learned of Wade’s firing, they’ll be ready to play Iowa State on Friday in the NCAA Tournament…
cut 8 (11) “…..with character”

A package of property insurance bills filed for the legislative session that starts today aim to benefit those affected by big storms. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Recently elected Lake Charles Senator Jeremy Stine is authoring the storm victims’ insurance reform package. The proposals call for stiffer penalties for insurance companies who fail to provide payment in a timely basis and doubling the fine a company could receive if the Insurance Commissioner determines they are acting in bad faith.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police Oversight committee that he recommended one of the troopers involved in the fatal Ronald Greene arrest should be fired, but his immediate supervisor did not follow his advice. Brown made that revelation as he was questioned by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson…
Cut 13 (07) “…Greene incident.”
Greene died in 2019 in State Police custody. Body camera video shows he was beaten and tased before his death. A federal investigation is ongoing, but no charges have been handed down.

The LSU men’s basketball team is a six seed in the NCAA Tournament but will prepare for Friday’s game against Iowa State without head coach Will Wade, who was fired over the weekend for alleged recruiting violations. Assistant Kevin Nickelberry serves as interim head coach…
cut 7 (12) “…be here”

The 2022 regular legislative session gets underway today and legislation that was hotly debated last year is back this year. Including the anti-transgender bill that would prevent biological males from competing on female sports teams. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican legislators are determined to pass this bill this year and the governor may not veto it this time…
cut 5 (10) “….doing that”
Insurance reform will be a big topic during this legislative session. Many hurricane victims have complained about having to deal with multiple adjusters. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says he’s filed a bill known as the Three Adjuster Rule…
cut 11 (11) “…the process from scratch”

Today is the start of the 2022 legislative session. Don Molino looks at the issues that legislators will discuss over the next three months…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino”

Governor John Bel Edwards will deliver his State of the State speech at 1 PM inside the House chambers. The governor’s office says Edwards will tell lawmakers about the historic opportunity in front of them, because of the over two-billion dollars in one-time revenues they can spend. The governor is also expected to make another push for raising the minimum wage.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is supporting a Senate Bill which clarifies that policyholders can collect additional living expense benefits when they evacuate…
Cut 10 (12) “…additional living expenses.”
Many people evacuated from Hurricane Ida last year, but State Farm refused to pay policyholders for expenses because an official evacuation order was not called.

State Police Lt. Johnny Brown told the State Police oversight committee that he recommended to his supervisor one of the troopers involved in the fatal arrest of Ronald Greene in 2019 should be fired, but the recommendation fell on deaf ears. Senator Cleo Fields hopes Lt. Brown’s testimony doesn’t cost him his job…
cut 15 (13) “…agitates me”

The 2022 legislative session begins Monday and it’s expected to provide a lot of spirited debate. Last year the governor vetoed an anti-transgender bill that would have prevented biological males from competing on female sports teams. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Republican legislators are determined to pass this bill and the governor may not veto it this year
Cut 5 (10) “…doing that.”
Also back for the 2022 session is the bill that would have allowed the carrying of concealed handguns without needing a permit, safety training, and background check. The governor vetoed this legislation last year.

Even though there are no more statewide COVID restrictions in place, Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says legislation has been filed to restrict future governors from imposing similar restrictions…
cut 14 (09) “…politically charged session”
The session must end on June 6th.

Louisiana staple Tony Chachere’s has spiced up meals for 50 years now. Brooke Thorington has more on how they’re celebrating the milestone.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A light dusting of snow blanketed North Louisiana this morning, but it will not last long as temperatures are slowly warming. Be prepared for a windy day today and below-freezing temperatures for much of the state tomorrow morning. There’s a slight risk for severe weather for northwest Louisiana Monday afternoon and night.