Lawmakers were paid their 161 dollar daily per diem during the 49 days the Capitol was closed due to COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A proposal to make it illegal for drivers to handle their cell phones while behind the wheel is headed to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Notable names from Louisiana are supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says 773,000 Louisiana residents struggle with food security under normal circumstances.

Cut 3 (12)  “…especially providing food.”  

Feeding Louisiana estimates and additional 233,000 Louisiana residents will experience food insecurity this year because of COVID-19, which is about 21% of the population.

Notable musicians such as Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are part of the campaign.  Patty says Hayes is doing a performance later this month where proceeds will be donated toward the cause.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…now as well.”

Patty says food banks have the ability to make monetary donations go a long way.

Cut 5 (11)  “…food banks have.”

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The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period.

Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.

Cut 6 (07) “…term.”

Lawmakers receive the per diem on top of their 17,000 dollar annual base salary.

Ballard says many lawmakers argue that they were doing legislative work during that period, even if it wasn’t at the Capitol.

Cut 7 (09) “.that time”

Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget by July 1^st, and the regular session ends June 1^st. Ballard says if a June special session must be called…

Cut 8 (04) “…happen”

Per diem payments to lawmakers for the regular session cost the state about two million dollars a year.

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Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Cut 9 (10) “…or early August.”

Feibus says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute.

Cut 10 (06) “…masks a week.”

Feibus says Vidalia Mills has also deployed twenty high-speed weaving looms to make lightweight cotton fabrics for the medical gowns and consumer face masks.

Cut 11 (05) “…locally sourced cotton.”

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 On a five to one vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a proposal to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says distracted driving causes numerous wrecks and the phone is what distracts most drivers

Cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”

McMath’s measure heads to the Senate floor, but similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions. The legislation has the support of the Department of Insurance. Warren Byrd spoke on behalf of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon…

Cut 13 (10) “…is in favor of” 

McMath says 19 states already have a handheld cell phone ban for drivers and statistics show the number of accidents has decreased in those states.

Richard Brown, the president of a civic group called Citizens for a Better Kenner, testified against the legislation. Brown says the bill does not target the real culprit behind distracted driving…

Cut 14 (10) “…the conversation”

The coronavirus pandemic led to a 49-day suspension of the legislative session, but state lawmakers still received their 161-dollar daily per diem. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Today at the state capitol, the House Labor Committee rejected a bill requiring most businesses to provide paid sick leave for all of their employees. Abita Springs Republican Larry Frieman voted against it…
cut 30 (05) “….provide this”

A proposal that makes it illegal for a driver to hold or handle a cell phone while driving is heading to the Senate Floor. The Senate Transportation Committee voted five to one in favor of the measure. The legislation has the support of the Department of Insurance. Warren Byrd spoke on behalf of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon…
cut 13 (10) “….is in favor of”
Similiar legislation has failed to pass in previous this session.

A textile mill in Concordia Parish will soon be producing masks and gowns for front line health care workers. Managing partner for Vidalia Mills Dan Feibus says they’ve purchased an automated surgical grade mask-making machine, along with two automatic N-95 high-protection mask making machines. He says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute…
cut 10 (06) “…masks a week”
Feibus says they’re also using 20 high-speed looms to make fabric for gowns.

The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period.  Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.  Ballard says many lawmakers argue that they were doing legislative work during that period, even if it wasn’t at the Capitol.

Cut 7 (09) “.that time”

On a five to one vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a proposal to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says distracted driving causes numerous wrecks and the phone is what distracts most drivers

Cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”

McMath’s measure heads to the Senate floor, but similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions.

Notable musicians such as Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are just some of the recognizable names from Louisiana supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says Hayes is doing a performance later this month where proceeds will be donated toward the cause.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…now as well.”

Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Cut 9 (10) “…or early August.”

Feibus says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute.

Louisiana reports 41 new COVID-19 deaths and 253 new confirmed positive cases today, continuing this month’s trend in lower death rates and fewer new positive cases.

Those declining numbers are making some antsy to restart the economy before the Governor’s stay at home order ends May 15^th, and a resolution that would undo that order is getting closer to passage. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez’s resolution cleared a House Committee and would remove the Governor’s ability to enforce the order, and this Jefferson Parish business owner says she’s a fan of it…

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

Governor Edwards’ Executive Counsel Matthew Block says their team of medical experts advised against opening May 1^st because a premature relaxing of restrictions could be costly…

Cut 15 (11)“…nothing”

The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period. Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.

Cut 6 (07) “…term.”

Lawmakers receive the per diem on top of their 17,000 dollar annual base salary. Per diem payments to lawmakers for the regular session cost the state about two million dollars a year.

A House committee approves a Republican-led resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order. House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez of Erath is the author of the measure and argued local governments should establish COVID restrictions, not the Governor.
Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”
Democrats on the committee oppose the resolution. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…
Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”
Despite this argument, the panel sent the resolution to the House floor on a nine to seven vote. If Governor Edwards does not extend the stay at home order, Miguez says he will not push the resolution any further.

Notable names from around Louisiana are joining together to support “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for food banks. Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says 773,000 Louisiana residents struggle with food security under normal circumstances.
Cut 3 (12) “…especially providing food.”
Notable musicians Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are among those participating with the social media campaign.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and state health department will host a tele-town hall this afternoon called “COVID-19, Preparing for the next phase. L-D-H Deputy Director Earl Benjamin-Robinson says they’ll discuss a phased re-opening approach and answer questions from the community. It will start at four PM for the Greater Monroe area. For more info go to L-P-H-I-dot org.

A resolution aimed at ending the Governor’s statewide stay at home order advances to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And Edwards says it’s too early to predict whether Louisiana will be ready to enter phase one of re-opening the economy on May 16th.

The Senate Transportation Committee has begun their meeting. On the agenda is a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld telephone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the goal is for drivers to have their hands on the wheel and not on their phone…
cut 8 (08) “…your voice”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a lengthy and tense debate, a House committee approved Erath Republican Blake Miguez’s resolution that takes the teeth out of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order…
cut 29 (07) “…those rules”
House Concurrent Resolution 58 passed on a nine to seven vote and heads to the House floor for more debate. Here’s Governor Edwards’ reaction…
cut 11 (06) “…resolution”
But there are many business owners who are frustrated with the length of the economic shutdown, including this one from Jefferson Parish, who went before the panel…
cut 12 (08) “…fiasco”
Edwards said it’s too early to determine if the state will move to phase one of reopening on May 16th.

The number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana has surpassed 30-thousand and some of those cases include children. Kevin Barnhart has more on that…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The governor also said at his press briefing that the state has hired an additional 700 workers to staff call centers, under the supervision of epidemiologists, to assist in the state’s effort to conduct contact tracing. Edwards says he’ll release more details on the state’s plan for contact tracing tomorrow.

A Republican-led effort to prevent Governor Edwards from enforcing stay at home order restrictions won its first legislative battle yesterday when the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved the resolution. The proposal would give local governments the power to move forward with reopening based on guidance laid out by the federal government.

Many Republicans have criticized the governor’s decision to extend the Stay at Home order to May 15th, including Congressman Garret Graves, who accuses the governor of trying to derail the President’s re-election effort. …
cut 14 (12) “…being played”
But Edwards’ executive counsel Matthew Block says the President supported the extension and a premature easing of restrictions would be costly…
cut 15 (11) “….nothing”

The Senate Transportation Committee hears legislation today that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld phone while driving a vehicle. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his proposal would not prevent a driver from talking on the phone or answering a call….
cut 9 (07) “…your car”
Similiar bills such as this one have failed to receive legislative support.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and the Louisiana Department of Health are holding a series of regional tele-town halls on COVID-19. Earl Benjamin-Robinson says the goal of these informational sessions is to educate the community about COVID-19 response measures….
cut 6 (09) “…social distancing”
One of the tele-halls is today at 4 PM for Monroe area residents. Got to L-P-H-I-dot-org for more information.

A House committee approves a Republican-led resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order. House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez of Erath is the author of the measure and argued local governments should establish COVID restrictions, not the Governor.
Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”
Democrats on the committee oppose the resolution. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…
Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”
Despite this argument, the panel sent the resolution to the House floor on a nine to seven vote. If Governor Edwards does not extend the stay at home order, Miguez says he will not push the resolution any further.

Today at the Capitol, the Senate Transportation Committee hears a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld wireless telecommunications device while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his proposal would reduce crashes on Louisiana roadways…
cut 7 (12) “….a movie”
The meeting begins at 10 AM.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and state health department will host two tele-town halls today called “COVID-19, Preparing for the next phase. Earl Benjamin-Robinson is a deputy director with L-D-H and he says they’ll discuss a phased re-opening approach and answer questions from the community….
cut 5 (12) “…answer those questions”
A tele-town hall will start at 11 AM for the Baton Rouge Area and four PM for the Greater Monroe area. For more info go to L-P-H-I-dot org.