The Legislature returned to work Monday after convening last Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Delta and the House discussed a bill that would allow the Legislature to strip local governments of state construction funding should they reduce their police budget by more than ten percent.
Alexandria Representative Lance Harris brought the bill and has previously mentioned his effort is a response to the “Defund the Police” movement but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says…
Cut 11 (10) “…these issues” PM
Harris responded to James’ argument by telling the House this bill will make a city or parish think twice before defunding its police department
Harris’ measure passed and heads to the Senate for more discussion.
House Labor Committee members considered but ultimately rejected a proposal to increase state unemployment benefits from 247 dollars a week to 347 dollars a week.
The hearing saw emotional testimony from members of the public who’ve lost their jobs due to the pandemic. These two New Orleans tourism industry veterans spoke about their struggles to meet their basic needs at only 247 dollars a week.
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The legislation came as the state is having to borrow money from the feds to keep the unemployment trust fund afloat. Jim Patterson, vice president of governmental relations at Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says we can’t afford this right now.
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Without federal intervention, it is likely that payroll taxes will be hiked on businesses starting next year to replenish the fund.