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
By Matt Houston
A Senate judiciary committee, in essence, killed, 3-2, House Concurrent Resolution 15 that would have formally recognized the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana as an Indian tribe.
Read the story in The News Star
By Katie Gagliano
Louisiana legislators took steps to broaden and strengthen the state’s domestic violence and protection laws Sunday okaying two Senate amended measures, House Bills 223 and 509. The bills will now move to Governor John Bel Edwards’ desk for his expected signature.
Read the story in The Shreveport Times
Doctors would have access to more transparent pricing information when prescribing drugs to patients under a bill passed by the Legislature.
The Senate voted unanimously Friday to give final legislative approval to House Bill 436 by Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge. It now heads to Gov. John Bel Edwards, who will decide whether to sign it into law.
Read the story in houmatoday.com/The Courier
By Katie Gagliano
One of the last major tax reform packages of the session, one that overhauls the state’s tax code, likely is dead in the House after a core piece of Baton Rouge Republican Barry Ivey’s legislation was shot down Tuesday evening.
Read the story in The Daily Advertiser
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 