Just two weeks are left in the regular session, and the budget is still the biggest issue for lawmakers. Jeremy Alford with LaPolitics.com says legislators are trying to fund priorities like TOPS and safety net hospitals with a $600 million budget shortfall.
Alford says legislators are working on funding all of the public-private hospitals that care for the poor, and parents of TOPS students are also paying close attention to the debate over the funding for the scholarship program.
According to state officials, Governor Edwards hopes to have some tax proposals for a planned June special session ready for lawmakers by the end of the week. Edwards wants to call another special session so lawmakers can raise more revenues to close the budget deficit and stave off deep cuts to vital state services, because lawmakers cannot raise taxes during this regular session that ends June 6.
Between one representative’s not-so-funny joke about strippers and the legislature shooting down a proposal to get equal pay for men and women, it hasn’t been a good week for women in Louisiana. One state lawmaker hopes to change that with a new campaign for women’s rights called “It’s No Joke.” New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says she started this campaign to combat gender inequality.
Cut 13 (12) “significant changes”
Moreno says she wants to work towards ending sexism and inequality. She says this online petition, using the hashtag #ItsNoJoke, is raising awareness about women’s issues. More information about the #ItsNoJoke campaign is available at morenocampaign.com.