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Lawmakers ignore, twist facts in COVID proposals
It’s bad enough when bills are based on bad information. When their authors won’t stand behind them, that’s even worse.
Cable, internet providers could have to provide refunds automatically after disasters
Customers typically have to call for refunds, but a proposal that advanced Wednesday in the Louisiana Legislature would make them automatic if cable or internet outages last more than 24 hours because of a state-declared emergency.
Proposals highlight growing pains for Louisiana’s medical marijuana industry
High prices and a lack of access for patients in need have been the chief growing pains for Louisiana’s fledgling medical marijuana industry. State lawmakers want to address these problems, but backers of medicinal weed say proposed changes won’t come close to meeting demand that they describe as critical.
Legislature jumps into New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board fray
Exorbitant water bills, frequent boil advisories and storm flooding are the norm for Sewerage & Water Board customers, said state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans. She has sponsored House Bill 652 to make the utility answerable to the city council.
How much does Louisiana lose on big business incentives? Report 2 years overdue
Without this information, the governor and lawmakers might not be able to determine the effectiveness of state incentives, the auditor’s report said.
Business-backed charter schools wouldn’t answer to local school boards under proposal
The bill would remove oversight of such charter schools from local school boards and put them under the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Louisiana State Police leader could be placed under civilian oversight
The head of Louisiana State Police has for nearly four decades served as an unofficial member of the governor's cabinet, answerable only to the state's chief executive.
Louisiana can’t afford to be oil and gas exclusive
Fears of an all-green outlook for Louisiana are misguided, as the state will always be oil and gas reliant to a great extent
Karen Carter Peterson resigns abruptly from the Louisiana Senate
Karen Carter Peterson, a Democrat from New Orleans who has held a seat in the Louisiana Legislature for 23 years, abruptly announced her resignation Friday. In a message posted on social media, she said she was leaving to focus on "self-care."
Louisiana House backs bill to make smoking marijuana in a vehicle illegal
You're not allowed to possess non-medical marijuana while in a car in Louisiana, and it's illegal to be under its influence while driving. But there's no actual prohibition again smoking weed behind the wheel.
Louisiana House unanimously approves post-hurricane eviction ban for renters
Reps. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, and Tanner Magee, R-Houma, co-authored House Bill 160 with input from the Louisiana Fair Action Housing Center and the landlord lobby.
Politics, not principles, lead to a redistricting debacle in Louisiana
Should the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately back Louisiana’s congressional redistricting, the decision will have implications that would last at least a generation.