The state Senate unanimously approves a bill that would make sure every TOPS recipient would receive at least part of their award, if the state is not able to fully fund the scholarship program. Under the current law, students with lower ACT scores or who do not have financial need would not get a scholarship at all. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says it isn’t fair to tell students for four years that they will get TOPS, then suddenly take it away because they cannot fund the program. He says lawmakers need to ensure that everyone who earns the scholarship gets something.
The cost of TOPS for the next fiscal year is about 300-million dollars.
Legislation that would expand the number of diseases that medical marijuana can be used to treat failed to get enough votes to pass out of the Senate. Under current law, once medical cannabis becomes available in Louisiana, it can only be used for three different diseases. But several senators expressed concerns with the legislation, claiming it would be a gateway to the complete legalization of marijuana.
The state’s budget problems were a popular topic on Governor John Bel Edwards first monthly radio call-in show. Jeff Palermo has the story…
The House approved the Pastor Protection Act, which would allow a minister or clergy member to refuse to perform a same-sex marriage. Opponents of the bill claim it is not necessary because pastors are already protected under the first amendment and some state legislation. Supporters say it just protects their fundamental right of conscience. The bill passed on an 80-18 vote.