By Joby Richard
A joint legislative subcommittee is looking to free up $152.5 million this year by eliminating 48 funds that are set by law and cannot be adjusted in the annual budget process.
The panel is trying to eliminate dedicated funding for some of the organizations and projects to keep budget cuts from falling disproportionately on higher education and medical care for the needy.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times.
By Tryfon Boukouvidis
A House committee on Wednesday voted 9-7 to reject a bill that would have authorized some elementary and high school teachers and administrators to carry concealed handguns on school property.
Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette, who sponsored the bill, said gun-free zones are “basically a welcome mat to criminals and crazies,” inviting them to “come slaughter our students.” He said the bill is “about taking off the welcome mat.”
Read the story in The News Star.
By Kaylee Poche and Ryan Noonan
Sen. Eric LaFleur on Tuesday withdrew one of the most talked-about bills of the legislative session–his proposal to allow 19- and 20-year-olds to drink legally–amid fears that the state could lose federal highway funds.
LaFleur, a Democrat from Ville Platte, said he thought his bill, which would have required parental consent and alcohol education courses, would have led to more responsible drinking.
Read the story in Fox 8/fox8live.com.
By Paul Braun
The Senate passed legislation that would establish a framework for temporarily transferring firearms from individuals targeted by a restraining order. The bill also would stiffen penalties for possessing firearms in violation of a protective order.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.
By Ryan Noonan and Devon Sanders
A bill to require criminal grand juries to review all shootings by police officers that kill or injure someone was proposed Tuesday by Rep. C. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge.
Read the story in The Daily World.
By Drew White
House lawmakers on Monday unanimously supported making hazing a felony.
The “Max Gruver Act,” named after the 18-year-old LSU fraternity pledge who died from coerced alcohol consumption last fall, would upgrade hazing from a misdemeanor to try to stop the worst abuses.
Read the story on Fox 8/fox8live.com.
By Devon Sanders
Nichola “Nicky” Muscarello Jr. was sworn into the Louisiana House of Representatives on Tuesday, taking the seat that opened up after former Rep. Chris Broadwater’s resignation.
Read the story in The Daily Star‘s print publication pictured below.
By Joby Richard
A bill unanimously advanced through the Senate Education Committee Thursday that would require each public school in Louisiana to display the national motto “In God We Trust.”
The bill, introduced by Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, would require each school district to display the national motto in each school by the 2019-20 school year.
Read the story in WWL-TV/wwltv.com.
By Martha Ramirez and Brianna Jones-Williams
Fortified schools, armed school workers and bulletproof backpacks are some of the answers that Louisiana legislators have in mind for protecting children as threats of school shootings grow.
Two state representatives and a senator have introduced controversial bills that would allow teachers and other school workers to carry firearms.
Read the story in wwltv.com.
By Devon Sanders
A House committee on Thursday approved a creative way to find an additional $10 million to try to eliminate waiting lists for children in need of subsidized child care.
Rep. Stephen F. Carter, R-Baton Rouge, authored the bill, which would take the money from an obscure fund that holds unclaimed property bonds.
Read the story in KALB/kalb.com.
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 