By Katie Gagliano and Sarah Gamard
Baton Rouge’s rainy weather mirrored the gloom inside the Capitol Monday, as Gov. John Bel Edwards presented a 2019 doomsday budget with deep cuts in the popular TOPS college scholarship program and in state health services, saying he hopes they never go into effect.
By Ashley Wolf and Tryfon Boukouvidis
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposal to slash the TOPS college scholarship program by 80 percent to staunch an upcoming budget shortfall has raised concerns among both Republican and Democratic legislators and the nearly 49,000 students who rely on it.
Ready the story in gambit.
Manship School News Service Statehouse Bureau Alum Laryssa Bonacquisti won the title of Miss Louisiana June 24. NOLA.com/Times-Picayune reporter Doug MacCash profiles Bonacquisti and her work in the Louisiana Statehouse last Spring.
Read the story in NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune
By Caitie Burkes
In spite of Rep. Barry Ivey’s request for an 11-day leave of absence from the Louisiana Legislature, the Baton Rouge Republican made an appearance in the House chamber on Wednesday (June 14) for a vote on House Bill 1, the $28 billion operating budgetfor the upcoming fiscal year. But he might not stick it out.
Read the story in NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune
By Sarah Gamard
After news broke that U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot in the hip early this morning while practicing in a Virginia park for a charity baseball game later this week, the Louisiana Legislature and governor began their day gathered in prayer in the Capitol Rotunda.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times
By Caitie Burkes
Representative Barry Ivey is boycotting the Legislature’s current special session over frustration at the wasted time in the regular session, which ended without any progress on long-term fiscal reform –– or even an annual budget
Read the story in NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune
By Sarah Gamard
Louisiana Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee said Louisianans will “suffer and die” under the legislature’s proposed cuts to state health programs.
The House Appropriations Committee met to address House Bill 1, the state budget for next fiscal year and it starts through the enactment process for the second time.
Read the story in usatoday.com
By Matt Houston
The Louisiana Senate adopted, 25-11, last-minute amendments to a bill making juveniles sentenced to life in prison eligible for parole consideration 25 years after their sentences are imposed.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times
By Katie Gagliano
A bill to rename the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts, the session’s surprise fire starter, advanced favorably through the House Education Committee Wednesday in the face of determined opposition from the school’s alumni and students.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser
By Caitie Burkes
The House Judiciary Committee Monday favorably moved a bill to the full House that would exempt patients, pharmacists and lab personnel involved with the state-sponsored medical marijuana program from arrest and prosecution.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 