Lieutenant governors from around the nation are converging in New Orleans for a three-day summit. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart.“
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Governor Edward’s Administration is looking forward to what they say will be seven years of fiscal stability due to the passage of 4.45 percent sales tax. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (31) ” I’m Jeff Palermo”
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The Department of Corrections will have to eat some cuts as a result of the budget compromise, but DOC workers will have one thing to look forward to: a pay increase. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Lieutenant governors from around the nation are converging in New Orleans for a three day summit. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will welcome the annual 2018 meeting of the National Governors Association with opening remarks. Among the topics being discussed, Nungesser says he intends on bringing attention to the dangers of cheaper, imported seafood.
Cut 4 (10) “…across the country.”
Among the other items up for discussion, Nungesser says it’s his goal to figure out ways for states to work together in marketing themselves to international visitors.
Cut 5 (10) “…spend more money in America.”
With Louisiana’s history in the state’s handling of emergencies, Nungesser says he will be discussing the best practices in managing a crisis.
Cut 6 (13) “…be better prepared.”
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Since 2016, the state legislature has battled huge budget deficits, but the Edwards’ administration now says we can look forward to financial stability over the next seven years. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will give the state a stable revenue source.
Cut 7 (12) “going to look like”
Dardenne says the new state sales tax rate of 4.45% along with the other revenues the state gets, should remain consistent.
Many Republicans are concerned the state budget will keep growing because of the governor’s decision to expand the Medicaid program in 2016, but Dardenne says by having more people insured will result in better health outcomes, therefore reducing the overall cost of healthcare.
Dardenne says federal dollars are funding the first few years of the newly expanded Medicaid program.
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A Jonesville man is under arrested after allegedly running over a 14-year-old girl who was taking out the trash in front of her house. The incident left Cadance Parker dead, and 23-year-old Earl Hancock locked in the Catahoula Parish Detention Center. State Police Spokesperson Master Trooper Scott Moreau:
Moreau says Hancock lost control, because of severe impairment in his ability to drive due to drugs and alcohol.
The Master Trooper says Hancock has been charged with a litany of offenses.
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Most state agencies survived the special session without a cut, but the Department of Corrections was not so lucky. Construction and repair projects were put off once again, leading to concerns from department officials that the facilities used to house inmates could be running low on time. Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says they got hit pretty hard at the last second.
LeBlanc says the state has not provided funding for new facilities in over ten years, which he says is bound to catch up with Louisiana sooner than later.
But it wasn’t all bad news. The legislature OK’d 24 million dollars in pay raises for corrections workers, bringing average pay from 12 dollars an hour to 14. LeBlanc says they experienced a 52 percent turnover last year, and this help draw in prospects to fill the hundreds of vacant positions.