Author: manshipxgr

By Katie Gagliano

The state’s domestic abuse laws will continue to exclude same-sex couples after a bill to extend the law’s protections failed in a 17-14 Senate vote. But the measure may not be dead.

Read the story in The Daily Advertiser

By Matt Houston

The state Senate Finance Committee, buttressed by warnings that any mandated increase in the state minimum wage could cost jobs, today killed a bill that would have raised the state’s minimum wage from the federal minimum of $7.25 to $8 in 2018, and to $8.50 in 2019. The vote was 7-3.

Read the story in bestofneworleans.com/Gambit

By Caitie Burkes

A proposed change to Louisiana law that would allow district attorneys to seek juvenile life without parole for first-degree murder, but not murder in the second-degree, passed the Louisiana House Tuesday, 82-3.

Read the story in The Daily Advertiser

By Caitie Burkes

With efficient swiftness, the Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee has amended the capital outlay plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1. It’s contained in House Bill 2, arguably the current legislative session‘s second most important bill, after the operating budget in House Bill 1, because it authorizes spending on brick and mortar projects throughout the state.

Read the story in NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune

By Sarah Gamard

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says he will be forced to cut several areas under his responsibility next year — including cultural events, state parks and museums — because of Louisiana’s revenue shortfall.

Read the story in bestofneworleans.com/Gambit

By Katie Gagliano and Caitie Burkes

The Senate Finance Committee braced against testimony from executive agency heads Friday as the potential effects of reductions under House Bill 1, the House GOP’s answer to Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposed budget, were again brought to light.

Read the story in The Daily Advertiser

By Caitie Burkes

No kids in Louisiana may be given — let alone shoot — a fully automatic gun, a state House committee has decided. House Bill 67, which made it to the full House for debate on a 7-6 committee vote Thursday (May 18), criminalizes “giving, selling, donating, providing, lending, delivering or otherwise transferring” a fully automatic gun to a child 12 or younger.

Read in NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune

By Sarah Gamard

The House passed 86-1 Thursday House Concurrent Resolution 15 by Rep. Kenny Cox, D-Natchitoches, officially recognizing the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana as a state Indian tribe. It now goes to the Senate.

Read the story in USA Today

By Katie Gagliano

A bill proposing improved water quality standards for the state left the House Health and Welfare Committee to the full House Wednesday, somewhat hobbled after contentious debate led to a face-off between representatives.

Read the story in The Opelousas Daily World

By Sarah Gamard

The Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday evening that aims to prevent young drivers from contentious interactions with traffic cops. The House did something similar earlier in the week.

Read the story in The Shreveport Times