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Harsher fentanyl sentences get Louisiana Senate approval in AG candidate’s bill
Giving a major win to state Rep. John Stefanski in his quest to become the “tough-on-crime” attorney general, the Louisiana Senate gave final passage Sunday to his bill to majorly increase penalties for fentanyl possession. Stefanski’s legislation, House Bill 90, was approved on a 32-4 vote, with Democratic Sens. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette, Royce Duplessis […]
Senate signs off on bill to punish porn websites that don’t verify user’s age
The Louisiana Senate gave unanimous final passage Sunday to a bill that would let the state attorney general pursue civil penalties against companies that do not comply with a law that requires pornography websites to verify the age of its users. House Bill 77, sponsored by Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, builds on a law that […]
Bills to combat college costs for Louisiana veterans head to governor’s desk for approval
The Louisiana Senate gave unanimous final passage to two bills Sunday to make college more affordable for military veterans. Senators approved House Bill 485, sponsored by Rep. Ken Brass, D-Vacherie, to create the Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship Program, which would cover the cost of mandatory college fees for Guard members. The bill is among […]
On the first night of Pride month, Louisiana’s LGBTQ+ community copes with setbacks
Jeremy Longmire took a moment to stop pouring drinks at George’s Place, the popular Baton Rouge gay hangout he manages, to lean against the bar and shake his head at what the Louisiana Legislature did on the first day of Pride Month. Earlier in the day, a mile up the road from George’s Place, the […]
‘Zombie bill’ to ban trans youth healthcare advances from Louisiana Senate committee
In a hurried, six-minute hearing Friday with no Democrats present, a Louisiana Senate committee advanced a ban on gender affirming healthcare for trans youth that had been shot down last week but revived in an unusual procedural move. House Bill 648 by Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, is similar to proposals filed in at least 17 […]
Ban on trans youth healthcare revived in Louisiana Senate
On the first day of Pride month, the Louisiana Senate revived a proposed ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth that was killed a week ago. The Senate voted 26-12 to recommit House Bill 648 by Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, from the Health and Welfare Committee to the Judiciary A Committee, essentially reviving what was […]
‘Don’t Say Gay,’ pronoun restriction bills in Louisiana inch closer to final approval
A pair of anti-LGBTQ+ bills targeting young transgender and queer students were advanced Thursday from a state Senate committee, likely putting them just one step away from the governor’s desk for approval. The Senate Education Committee passed both on party line 3-1 votes, with committee Chair Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, being the sole vote […]
Louisiana community college leader blasts resolution requesting diversity spending report
The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System did not mince words Wednesday while testifying on a resolution that requested all public schools in the state — K-12 and colleges — submit reports on programs and activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion, critical race theory and social emotional learning. “At its core, […]
House kills constitutional amendment to ensure representation on higher ed governing boards
The Louisiana House of Representatives killed a proposed constitutional amendment that would have ensured alumni from each school in the Southern and LSU systems have a seat on their respective boards of supervisors. House Bill 400, sponsored by Rep. Cedric Glover, D-Shreveport, failed on a 51-49 vote. Because the bill would have put a constitutional […]
Permitless firearm carry bill takes step forward in Louisiana Senate
A Louisiana Senate Committee advanced a controversial bill Tuesday that would allow adults over the age of 21 to carry a concealed firearm without a license or training. The Senate Judiciary B Committee signed off on House Bill 131 by Rep. Danny McCormick, R-Oil City, on a 4-1 vote, with committee Chair Sen. Gary Smith, […]
Far-right lawmaker, state GOP won’t accept trans youth healthcare ban’s defeat
In an act of political retribution, an ultra-conservative Louisiana lawmaker has attached an amendment to the bill of a fellow Republican who bucked the party line and voted to kill a proposed ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth. Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, proposed the amendment Thursday afternoon to Sen. Fred Mills legislation that seeks […]
Anti-tenure legislator backs off controversial bill to put tenure practices into law
A proposal to place tenure policies for higher education faculty into Louisiana law is dead for the year after its author has decided not to pursue the legislation. Sen. Stewart Cathey, R-Monroe, confirmed in an interview Senate Bill 174 is not going anywhere this session because he never requested a hearing for it in the […]