A Senate Committee approves legislation aimed at requiring the Governor to consult with the Legislature before extending public health emergencies. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he doesn’t expect GOP efforts in the special session to curb the Governor’s public health authority will be successful. Jeff Palermo spoke with the Democrat…
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A Senate committee approves Legislation by Senate President Page Cortez requiring the Governor to contact the Legislature before extending public health emergencies.
Cortez says his legislation would create a committee of legislative leaders who the Governor must speak with should he want to extend an expiring public health order.
The order would also change the petition process for ending a public health emergency or state of emergency, now requiring a majority of surviving members in both chambers to sign off, instead of just one chamber.
Cortez says the Governor would still maintain his constitutional authority to issue orders, this just gives lawmakers a seat at the table.
Under the proposal, the Chief Justice of the Louisiana State Supreme Court must also be informed of any decisions ahead of time.
Cortez says the legislation was inspired by the unprecedented nature of the ongoing pandemic.
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Two people are dead after deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office fatally shot a man they witnessed murder his girlfriend on Monday night. Sheriff Joe Lopinto says deputies arrived to find the couple in the street and arguing prior to the shooting.
Cut 6 (13) “…killing the suspect.”
Lopinto says authorities arrived at the Avondale home after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor indicating a male was beating a female.
Cut 7 (08) “…called into 911.”
Deputies attempted to render aid, but were unsuccessful. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The three deputies involved were unharmed.
Lopitino says it is not yet clear how many shots were fired.
The woman, identified as 54-year-old Louvenia Penwright. was shot and killed by her partner Willie Shropshire, 57.
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Democrats are pushing back against Republican efforts in the special session to restrict or change the Governor’s public health authority or require him to consult with the Legislature.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James doesn’t expect any of the GOP efforts to make it into law because most Democrats refuse to support the bills, which he says are hypocritical.
It’s likely any legislative changes to the Governor’s public health authority would be vetoed, and it’s unknown whether there is even majority support for any of the current proposals.
James says nearly all Democrats back the Governor’s pandemic decisions, and won’t support Republican efforts to interfere. He says there’s a difference between campaigning and governing.
Over the summer a legislative petition circulated that would end the public health emergency, but it did not get the majority votes it needed. Many GOP lawmakers appeared to agree with the sentiment but feared the potential loss of federal dollars if the action was taken.
James says instead of attacking the Governor’s authority Democrats will focus on pandemic financial relief. He says he’s likely to file legislation giving CARES Act money to bar owners and musicians…
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Legislators will take a look at ways to help Hurricane Laura-ravaged southwest Louisiana recover in the ongoing special session.
Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his first priority is securing funding for the region’s school districts. He says at the moment many students are scattered across the state leading to misleading school attendance rolls…
Johns says there’s also a series of laws on the books that state if a business is non-operational for a certain amount of time they lose their license.
John says they’re also considering tax credits, or tax and licensing suspensions to help out struggling businesses who’ve lost everything. He says the devastation has been heartbreaking.
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