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Billions are left to address the COVID student slump, but some see an unfunded mandate
Billions of federal dollars are available to help Louisiana students make up ground lost in the classroom to the COVID-19 pandemic, but some educators say they don’t have the staff to put the plans in place and are concerned about what happens once the money runs out. Louisiana schools have roughly $2.3 billion left to […]
The public shouldn’t be silenced for a lawmaker’s inability to schedule
More than a dozen proponents and nearly as many opponents came to the State Capitol Thursday to address lawmakers regarding Senate Bill 7, a proposal under consideration in the Senate Education Committee. It would require public libraries in Louisiana to set up a checkout card system that would restrict children’s access to materials deemed sexually […]
Lawmakers bristle at effort to untie DARE from possibly unconstitutional funding
An attempt to unlink a long-running anti-drug effort for students from a legally questionable funding source failed Thursday in the Louisiana House Judiciary Committee. More than 40 Louisiana sheriffs staff Drug Abuse Resistance Education programs, or DARE for short, with about 160 deputies, according to the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association. One of DARE’s funding streams comes […]
Senate committee shushes opposition to library restriction bill
A proposal that would establish a system for Louisiana public libraries to restrict children’s access to content deemed sexually explicit was advanced from a state Senate committee Thursday before any opponents could speak out against it. Senate Bill 7, by Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, would require libraries to create a card system so parents […]
Proposal would allow associate degree holders to take teaching jobs
A Louisiana Senate panel approved a proposal Thursday that would allow holders of two-year associate degrees to fill teaching vacancies in school districts that accept the qualifications. The measure has the support of state education Superintendent Cade Brumley as a way to help address teacher shortages. Sen. Patrick McMath, R-Covington, authored Senate Bill 81 and […]
Louisiana governor candidates pressed for stances at PAR forum
All seven of the well funded candidates for Louisiana governor agree more public money should be invested on early childhood education. Nearly all believe the state should maintain the expanded Medicaid coverage offered to qualifying residents seven years ago. Beyond that, they expressed fairly similar broad visions for the state under their leadership, with some […]
Candidates for Louisiana attorney general prioritize crime fighting at forum
The four candidates running for attorney general cited crime as the top problem facing the state at a Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana forum held Wednesday in Baton Rouge. As to how they would address the issue if elected, each acknowledged, in varying degrees, the limited role the office plays in law enforcement. Criminal […]
Stricter juvenile justice proposals among raft of criminal policy changes to advance
Approval of a bill that would stop treating 17-year-olds as youth offenders in Louisiana’s criminal justice system capped a six-hour hearing Tuesday that saw several proposals with enhanced restrictions advance. The only legislation the House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice rejected on its lengthy agenda was a measure to decriminalize cannabis. House Bill […]
Want to be buried with your pet? Louisiana might dig that
A Louisiana House committee gave its nod Monday to a proposal that would allow pet owners to have the cremated remains of their companions buried with them. While the sponsor of the proposal says the practice might already be taking place, state law must be updated to protect cemetery owners from legal repercussions. Rep. Wayne […]
Shorter training time for cosmetologists not in style for everyone
A proposal to shorten the training requirements for a cosmetology license in Louisiana isn’t a good look, according to some members of the profession. They worry a hastened education in hairstyling, esthetics and manicures could lead to problems with health, safety and customer satisfaction. Still, a legislative panel advanced a bill Monday that would chop […]
Proposal shields teachers from criminal consequences for breaking up student fights
Teachers at Louisiana schools would be immune from criminal charges if a student gets hurt when they break up a fight, according to a proposal that advanced Monday from a state House committee. Rep. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, sponsored House Bill 86, which she calls the Protect Teachers Act. Current law already shields teachers, principals […]
It should be no surprise ‘the most pro-life’ Trump is waffling on abortion
It’s not that former President Donald Trump says one thing and does another. It’s that he says and does whatever he wants, but very purposefully. Both must provide him with some sort of personal, business or political advantage. As anti-abortion stalwarts are now learning, Trump won’t say anything if that benefits him the most. One […]