The legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. Andrew Greenstein reports that represents a small overall portion of the fund.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overworked. Jeff Palermo reports.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A Leesville man has been charged with second-degree cruelty to a juvenile after a shooting incident involving young children. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report of a three-year-old being shot at 35-year-old Fernando Mejia’s home. Chief Detective Rhonda Jordan says once investigators arrived at the residence they found a 40-caliber gun in the bedroom….
Cut 3 (08) “…children were playing.”
Investigators determined that the injured child was playing with Mejia’s three-year-old, who found a loaded .40-caliber handgun hidden under a pillow. The gun discharged, striking the visiting child in the shoulder and chest. Jordan says the child is in stable condition.
Mejia was charged for failing to properly secure the firearm. He is currently being held in the Vernon Parish Jail and is also subject to a detainer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sheriff Sam Craft says gun safety should be practiced at all times.
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The Louisiana Legislature is expected to withdraw about 1.2-billion dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to pay for various projects. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says that includes about 709-million dollars for shovel-ready road projects that will be completed within one year.
Cut 6 (11) “…falling in line.”
McFarland says it also includes money for water sector improvements for local water systems.
McFarland says the legislature will be putting forth a significant portion of the 110-million dollars it will take to update the severely outdated OMV computer system.
That 1.2-billion represents less than a third of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. Even after the withdrawal, it will still have 2.7-billion dollars left in it.
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A bill clarifying Louisiana’s concealed carry law that allows spectators at parades or demonstrations to carry concealed weapons, while maintaining the ban for participants in such events is awaiting Governor Landry’s signature. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka on why the legislation is necessary.
The legislation does not alter existing law but enhances clarity for citizens and law enforcement. New Orleans Representative Alonzo Knox had concerns about public safety due to the potential for armed bystanders, particularly in crowded or alcohol-involved settings.
Cut 10 (10) “…than be defenseless.”
The bill applies to all government-permitted parades or demonstrations, and Zelenka noted the original concealed carry law already prohibits parade participants from carrying a gun.
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A new audit shows that DCFS workers continue to be overburdened with their caseloads. Julie Floyd, a senior performance auditor at the Louisiana legislator’s office, says there has been an increase in recent years in vacancies, especially in front-line case workers.
Cut 12 (08) “…to increase salaries.”
Floyd says due to these vacancies, the workers at DCFS have seen their caseloads increase substantially.
Cut 13 (10) “…cases each month.”
Floyd says despite the added workload for the DCFS workers still with the agency, there hasn’t been a big turnover rate at the agency.
Cut 14 (08) “…around 15-percent.”
Floyd says DCFS and the state have implemented special pay mechanisms to encourage employees to stay. However, a staffing and salary analysis showed that it’s inconclusive as to whether those special mechanisms were leading employees to stay.