By Justin DiCharia
BATON ROUGE — State Treasurer John Kennedy’s inquisition of state contracts paid off Wednesday as a proposed legislation by Rep. Jay Morris’, R-Monroe, requiring private entities contracted by the state to file documents in a newly established database with the Legislative Auditor’s office passed the House Committee on House and Government Affairs and moved to the full House for consideration.
By Samuel Carter Karlin
The House Education Committee is scheduled to hear 10 TOPS-related bills Wednesday as legislators begin looking for more than $200 million to fully fund the popular scholarship program for the fall and spring semesters of the 2016-17 academic year.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has thrown his support to a measure that would decouple TOPS award amounts from tuition costs so students would have to pay the difference between their TOPS money and the actual tuition figure if tuition is increased further.
By Tierra Smith
Kanye West said it 11 years ago: “I know somebody paying child support for one of his kids… And on her 18th birthday he found out it wasn’t his.”
The House Committee on Civil Law and Procedure attempted Monday to enact legislation that would expand the time frame for men who are identified as the father to disavow the child and support payments.
By Quint Forgey
BATON ROUGE — Lawmakers on the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee on Monday unanimously approved the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s budget for the coming fiscal year.
It details a nearly $1.5 billion, three-year effort to pay for and execute coastal protection and restoration efforts.
Read the story in StMaryNow.com/Banner-Tribune & Daily-Review
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE — The Senate Judiciary Committee on criminal matters unanimously passed Senate Bill 33, criminalizing the sale and related handling of aborted baby organs or body parts. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
By D.B. Narveson
By Justin DiCharia
BATON ROUGE — Critics, including State Treasurer John Kennedy, have claimed Louisiana can substantially reduce its budget deficit by targeting “waste” in dedicated funds and state contracts, but the numbers don’t support his claim.
Implicit in these complaints are there is sufficient savings, if diverted, to take care of education and healthcare needs, which are nearly always targeted when budget cuts become necessary.
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE —The John J. Hainkel Senate committee room was awash in red clothing Thursday where the Labor and Industrial Relations Committee approved on split votes bills that increase the state’s minimum wage and expand the equal pay for equal work law and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
Read the story in The Town Talk
By Samuel Carter Karlin
BATON ROUGE — The head of the Louisiana Revenue Estimating Conference, who is serving on a task force dedicated to systemic changes in the state’s tax code, warns that income taxes may have be on the table in 2017 if the Legislature is serious about fiscal reform.
By Quint Forgey
BATON ROUGE — The House Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill Wednesday increasing the mandatory waiting period before receiving an abortion from one day to three days.
House Bill 386 requires women seeking an abortion to undergo required pre-abortion procedures — including an ultrasound and the receipt of various informational materials — 72 hours prior to the operation.
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 