Lawmakers are looking at proposed budget cuts ahead of next week’s deficit eliminating special session. Halen Doughty has more…
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Southeast Louisiana dealt with several tornado touchdowns today as a storm system ripped through the Deep South. Michelle Southern reports..:
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Lawmakers are looking over the Governor’s proposal to eliminate a $304 million midyear deficit, ahead of next week’s special session to debate the plan. Statewide elected officials would see budget reductions, but higher education would be spared. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says it’s important no stone is left unturned when it comes to spending reductions, but he doesn’t want students to be impacted again.
The governor’s plan also includes using $119 million in the rainy day fund to minimize cuts to state agencies. But Harris says we need to look at what the state is spending annually and address the real problem.
Once the special session begins on Monday, the House will begin discussions on what cuts will be made and they’ll send their plan to the Senate. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says he’s not opposed to using rainy day dollars to prevent cuts that will really hit home with residents.
Franklin Senator Bret Allain says he’s glad the governor spread the cuts around in his plan, and that he did not seek any additional revenue. But he says he is concerned that Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office would take a combined almost $6 million hit.
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Officials in Livingston Parish say at least two tornadoes touched down in Killian today, damaging homes and injuring two people. Mark Harrell, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says they know of several residences impacted:
Harrell says two people that were inside their home when the twister hit were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. He says the police chief in Killian witnessed the tornadoes with his own eyes…:
Another twister was reported in the Ascension Parish town of Donaldsonville where officials say some damage was sustained and debris widespread.
The path of damage and destruction also went through parts of New Orleans East, causing damage to homes and businesses, overturned vehicles and downed power lines and trees. This man describes what he witnessed of the tornado touchdown in New Orleans East..:
There was also damage reported at the NASA facility in the Michoud area of New Orleans. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says they are dealing with a substantial situation…:
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Louisiana U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy were among the 51 who voted to confirm Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education today. President of the Louisiana Federation for Children, Ann Duplessis, says as a proponent of school choice and vouchers for low-income students DeVos will bring a welcomed change to the education system.
The voucher program uses taxpayer dollars so students zoned for poorly performing schools can attend charter or private schools at cost. Duplessis says DeVos wants to provide the right opportunities for our children. She says the people who are against the appointment are entrenched in special interests.
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One of the state’s largest teacher unions has been an opponent of school vouchers. Louisiana Federation of Teachers spokesperson Les Landon says DeVos’ longtime support of vouchers is a concern to them.
LFT President Larry Carter says DeVos lacks experience as an educator. Landon says they would prefer an Education Secretary who was a strong supporter of public schools.
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There’s extensive tornado damage in New Orleans east after a large twister ripped through the area around 11 o’ clock this morning. Craig Smith was working at New Orleans East Hospital when he saw the menacing tornado…
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has told the public not to come to New Orleans east as it’s totally shut down because of gas leaks and the large number of first responders. Smith says it’s bit of a chaotic scene…