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American Press
12-06-2025
- Business
- American Press
Lawmakers approve budget and teacher pay push as session wraps up
Lawmakers approve budget and teacher pay push as session wraps up Published 5:12 pm Thursday, June 12, 2025 By Anna Puleo | LSU Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana House voted 98-1 Thursday to give final legislative approval to $53.5 billion budget package for the upcoming fiscal year without objecting to any of the major changes that the Senate had made earlier this week. With three hours to go in the session, lawmakers also agreed to ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment in a new attempt to fund permanent salary raises for K-12 public school teachers and support staff. Email newsletter signup Voters had rejected a long and complicated amendment in March that could have provided funding for permanent raises. Under the latest plan, voter approval could lead to salary increases of $2,250 for teachers and $1,225 for staff members. The proposed constitutional amendment would dissolve three state education trust funds and used $2 billion to pay down debt on teacher retirement plans. That would save parishes enough money to provide the raises. While waiting to see if voters approve the amendment, the state will pay stipends of $2,000 to teachers and $1,000 to support staff at K-12 schools for a third year in a row. The state budget and the new teacher pay plan both passed on the final day of a legislative session that also saw significant changes in car insurance regulation designed to lower some of the highest annual premiums in the nation. Other high-profile legislation stalled during the session. A bill to reinforce President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public agencies and colleges failed after the Senate declined to take it up, even as similar bans gained traction in other Republican- led states. The bill had narrowly passed the House after a lengthy debate during which Black lawmakers called it 'racially oppressive.' Gov. Jeff Landry's push to more than double funding for his LA GATOR private school voucher program also failed. The House had approved the $93.5 million that Landry sought to sharply increase the number of families that could use public funds to send their children to private schools. During the session, the Senate limited funding on the vouchers to $43.5 million, and the House acquiesced. That funding will allow students already enrolled in private schools under the similar program to stay there, but there will not be any money for new families to join, as Landry had envisioned. Lawmakers approved another national conservative priority — the 'Make America Healthy Again' efforts led by Trump and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The bill bans ultra-processed ingredients, such as artificial dyes and synthetic additives, in meals served in schools that receive state funding, starting in the 2027-28 school year. All bills that passed now go to Landry for his approval or veto. The budget bill would take effect on July 1. The governor has the power to veto individual items in it. As part of the budget, lawmakers agreed to spend $1.2 billion in one-time money from the state's Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund–which collects corporate and severance taxes — on transportation projects, economic development, water system upgrades, college maintenance and criminal justice infrastructure. They also approved using $1.1 billion in extra cash for short-term needs like infrastructure projects, debt payments and deposits into state savings accounts. That total includes last year's surplus, additional general fund dollars recognized by the state's revenue forecasting panel, and unspent agency money, either because fewer people used certain programs or agencies found other ways to cover costs. The stipends for the K-12 teachers and support workers will cost $199 million. The Senate also restored $30 million for high-dose tutoring programs that had been cut in the House's version. Legislative leaders were reluctant to expand spending in other areas, like for Landry's signature voucher plan to pay for more students to go to private schools. Some lawmakers are concerned that potential cuts in federal Medicaid spending and federal disaster-relief could force the state to absorb hundreds of millions in additional costs. The House approved a resolution on Thursday by Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, urging Congress not to cut Medicaid funding in a way that would hurt the state. Legislators from rural areas also expressed concern that expanding private school vouchers could eventually cut into support for public school district. Some lawmakers noted that the final level of spending on the LA GATOR program was not a cut but rather keeping funding flat. 'We always use the word cut,' Rep. Eric Tarver, R- Lake Charles, said. 'When really we mean it just isn't an increase.' The Legislature also passed a supplemental spending bill for the current fiscal year with about $130 million, mostly in lawmakers' earmarks for projects in their districts. Taking steps to try to bring down auto insurance rates was another major focus during the session. Landry signed a package aimed at lowering premiums by limiting certain lawsuits and increasing oversight of insurers. However, on Wednesday, he vetoed Senate Bill 111, which would have restricted when policyholders can sue insurers for bad faith. Landry said the bill risked making it easier for companies to deny claims, leaving policyholders with fewer options to challenge delays, especially after major disasters. Landry had said at the start of the session that he was seeking a balanced approach in trying to cut rates. He also persuaded lawmakers to give the insurance commissioner more power to block companies from charging auto insurance rates that appeared excessive. Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana lawmakers vote to toughen immigration enforcement
BATON ROUGE, La. (LSU Manship School News Service) — Lawmakers passed two bills this week aimed at expanding the state's role in immigration enforcement, joining states like Texas and Florida in helping the Trump administration crack down on undocumented immigrants. One bill would require agencies to track the legal status of people using public services, and the other would criminalize interference with federal immigration operations. The Legislature last year empowered local and state law-enforcement to arrest people on suspicion that they were undocumented immigrants. Gov. Jeff Landry signed that bill into law, and the two bills passed this week will now go to him for his signature. The latest legislation comes amid growing national tensions over immigration policy. Protests broke out in Los Angeles this week in response to enforcement actions, and Trump hinted at invoking the Insurrection Act, a set of laws that might let the president deploy the military domestically. One of the new bills, Senate Bill 100, by Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, would mandate that state departments–including Health, Education, Motor Vehicles and others–disclose whether individuals receiving services are 'illegal aliens' or 'unaccompanied alien children.' Services covered under the bill range from healthcare and education to tax benefits and emergency assistance. Agencies would have to report how many people in those categories they serve and the cost of those services. The reports would be submitted annually to the governor, the attorney general and the Legislature and published online. The bill also would require agencies to verify legal status, either through immigration documents or by using federal tools like the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system. Agencies that do not comply risk funding loss. Senate Bill 15 by Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, would prohibit private individuals and public officials from obstructing federal immigration enforcement or civil immigration proceedings. That would include refusing to cooperate with requests from agencies like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, or failing to honor written detainer requests when releasing someone suspected of being in the country illegally. The bill updates the state's obstruction and malfeasance laws to cover immigration-related violations. Penalties range from six months in jail and a $1,000 fine to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. More serious violations involving public officials could lead to felony charges and prison sentences of up to 10 years. The law would take effect Aug. 1. If SB15 is enacted, Louisiana would be the first state to institute state criminal penalties for interfering with immigration enforcement efforts. Under current law, these issues are handled as a civil matter. Both measures reflect Gov. Jeff Landry's broader agenda to position Louisiana as a more active player in immigration enforcement, which echoes moves in the other Republican-led states. Advocates against the legislation highlighted the negative impact the bills would have on immigrant families in the state. Tia Fields, policy manager at the Baton Rouge-based Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, told the Louisiana Illuminator that the bills convey a 'chilling message' and portray immigrant families as expendable. Proposal to ban DEI college courses, state policy dies in Louisiana Legislature McKinley High School moves to temporary location as campus undergoes renovation Students urged to seek aid now as FAFSA deadline nears Kevin Durant's former townhome up for sale, listing price $35 Bonnaroo co-founder dies days before 2025 festival Man gored by bison at Yellowstone National Park, second incident this year Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senate adds $1.2 billion to budget for one-time projects
BATON ROUGE, La. (LSU Manship School News Service) — With the end of the legislative session approaching, the Louisiana Senate approved a revised state budget Monday, adding at least $1.2 billion that was not in the House version of the bill. The money would come from the $3.9 billion in state's Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, which holds some of the funds collected through corporate and severance taxes. The Senate would spend that money on one-time projects to improve infrastructure, higher education facilities and economic development. The budget bill, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, now goes back to the House for concurrence or further negotiations with the Senate before the session is scheduled to end on Thursday. The money added by the Senate includes $709 million for major transportation projects, $275 million for site development and business incentives and $75 million for local water system upgrades. Another $43 million is dedicated to higher education needs such as deferred maintenance and construction, while $23 million would go to criminal justice infrastructure. 'The Senate has done a solid job with this budget limiting government growth and prioritizing funding for infrastructure so our state can continue to advance,' said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Glen Womack, R-Harrisonburg. Like the House bill, the Senate's version of the budget also includes $199 million for teacher stipends of $2,000 for K-12 teachers and $1,000 for support workers at public schools. But the Senate restores $30 million for high-dose tutoring programs that the House had cut. It also slashes the proposed appropriation for Gov. Jeff Landry's LA GATOR program that would let parents use state money to pay to send their children to private schools. Landry and the House wanted to spend $93.5 million for LA GATOR in the next fiscal year. But given concerns about the state's longer-term financial picture and the potential impact on funding for public schools, the Senate proposed cutting that to $43.5 million. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, called the process a collaborative effort between the chambers. 'Unity is what makes this process work,' he said. 'What we're doing today changes the overall budget climate in our state. It sets the stage for a better tomorrow.' La. legislative session nears end, here's a recap Give dad a fitness experience in Baton Rouge for Father's Day Grand opening of first Mississippi Buc-ee's draws huge crowd Funeral home limo driver, escorts cited in train collision that 'mangled' car Bannon calls for special counsel probe of Musk Male blood found where 3 sisters in Washington were killed; search for father continues Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana Senate reins in tax cut and school voucher plans
BATON ROUGE, La. (LSU Manship School News Service) — The Louisiana Senate is reining in several major proposals pushed by Gov. Jeff Landry and House conservatives, rejecting additional tax cuts and scaling back spending on private school vouchers amid caution over the state's longer-term financial outlook. Despite clearing the House with little resistance, two key tax bills were effectively shelved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee earlier this week. The committee declined to take up a plan to further phase down personal income taxes, and it slashed funding for a Landry plan to expand state funding for parents to send their children to private schools. The moves mark a shift in the session's power dynamics and highlight tension between the governor's office and Senate leaders as the legislative session heads toward a close on June 12. Senate leaders said they did not see any way to offset the revenue losses from further tax cuts. Some lawmakers fear that the state could face hundreds of millions in additional costs if Congress and the Trump administration follow through on proposals to cut federal Medicaid spending and shift much of the responsibility for disaster relief to the states. Two bills by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro, were at the center of the House's tax-cutting agenda. House Bill 578 would have dropped the state's portion of the sales tax rate from 5% to 4.75%, while House Bill 667 aimed to lower individual income taxes from the 3% flat rate approved in November to 2.75%. The bill also would have doubled the standard deduction for seniors. Legislative analysts estimated that the sales tax bill would have reduced general fund revenue by about $266 million in fiscal 2028. Emerson's income-tax bill would have cut another $378 million in the same year. Emerson said her goal was to eventually eliminate the state income tax altogether. She also had proposed a constitutional amendment to eliminate the Revenue Stabilization Fund and redirect corporate tax surpluses to help pay for the cuts, but legislative economists said that would have offset only a portion of the lost revenue. Senators, led by Revenue & Fiscal Affairs committee chair Sen. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, said they were not ready to move forward without more data. Referring to tax cuts in 2008 that later led to a $2 billion state funding shortfall, Foil said: 'In hindsight, we moved too quickly in enacting those tax reductions.' He added: 'I'm all for trying to reduce taxes if we have excess revenue, but we have to do it in a responsible way.' National conservative groups have poured money into lobbying for the LA GATOR program and similar school vouchers in other states to help families pay private school tuition. Landry had asked for $93.5 million, and the House had included that amount in its version of the budget for fiscal 2026, which starts July 1. But the Senate Finance Committee slashed that amount to $43.5 million. The increase would have nearly doubled the number of students receiving vouchers to about 11,300. The cut reflects a clear political divide between Landry and Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, who has said since April that the Senate would only fund LA GATOR at the same level as an older voucher program it is replacing, and he has not budged. Some lawmakers also are concerned that there are few private schools in rural areas and that the LA GATOR program could eventually lead to a reduction in funding for public schools The reduced GATOR funding would cover about 6,000 students already receiving state-funded tuition assistance. Earlier this year, State Superintendent of Education Kade Brumley opened applications for the program statewide, assuming the number of available vouchers would grow. Nearly 40,000 families applied. Henry and other senators also voiced concerns about how fast LA GATOR's costs could grow and whether private school vouchers improve student outcomes. The difference in LA GATOR funding levels between the House and the Senate bills will have to be ironed out by a conference committee with members from both parties. The Senate budget also includes several education-related amendments: ● Restores $30 million for high-dosage tutoring. ● Allocates $20 million to pay off the University of New Orleans' debts so it can merge into the LSU System. ● Keeps $198 million for teacher stipends, $2,000 for certified educators and $1,000 for support staff, by offsetting costs elsewhere. Senators also added hundreds of millions in federal funding to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals and physicians. The request still needs federal approval, but if approved, it would raise Louisiana's Medicaid funding by $500 million in the budget year starting June 1. Lawmakers are also hoping to get retroactive payments for the current fiscal year. The request comes as President Donald Trump and House Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, push to reduce federal Medicaid spending. State leaders hope those efforts to affect the reimbursement rates they're trying to secure. 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American Press
29-05-2025
- Health
- American Press
Louisiana bill redefines IVF embryos
The Louisiana state Capitol in Baton Rouge. (Associated Press Archives) By Anna Puleo | LSU Manship School News Service The Louisiana House passed a bill Tuesday that changes how the state treats embryos created through in vitro fertilization. The bill, which passed 82-14, establishes legal protections and reshapes how IVF is regulated. The bill originated in the Senate, and an amended version was carried in the House by Rep. Paula Davis, R-Baton Rouge. It redefines IVF embryos as 'juridical persons,' a legal category that gives them more rights without going so far as to classify them as full legal 'children' or property. 'This is a pro-family, pro-life and pro-parent bill,' Davis said. 'No parent should have to cross state lines to start a family.' The laws governing IVF have been politically sensitive since an Alabama Supreme Court ruling in early 2024 raised questions about them, and lawmakers in several states have been scrambling to codify their support for the practice. Under the new Louisiana measure, Senate Bill 156, embryos are considered viable unless they fail to develop within 72 hours after fertilization. Those that do not develop in that timeframe are classified as nonviable. This definition was added through an amendment and replaces the state's previous standard of 36 hours. For embryos considered viable, the bill states that only the intended parents, not doctors or fertility clinics, can make decisions about their use. It also bans any IVF contract that includes a clause allowing embryos to be intentionally destroyed. Those agreements would now be considered legally invalid. Rep. Aimee Freeman Newell, D-New Orleans, raised concerns about how current IVF laws apply to single women, whether it is those who choose to become single parents or lose a spouse during the process. Would they still have access to treatment? Davis said SB156 is updating Louisiana's IVF laws to reflect modern realities. It removes terms like 'parental rights,' 'married couple,' and 'adoptive implantation,' and makes it clear that embryos can be donated to any individual, not just to married couples. A similar bill was brought to the floor last year but was returned to the calendar after criminal and constitutional law experts raised concerns that its language conflicted with Louisiana's criminal statutes. Lawmakers worked with Louisiana Right to Life and legal advisors to revise the language in this year's version. Davis pointed to the controversial 2024 Alabama Supreme Court decision as an example of the kind of legal uncertainty Louisiana wants to avoid. In that case, the court ruled that frozen embryos created through IVF are considered 'children' under Alabama's wrongful death law, granting them legal personhood and allowing wrongful death lawsuits to proceed. The ruling came after several frozen embryos were accidentally destroyed at a fertility clinic, sparking a lawsuit against the hospital and clinic. A trial court initially dismissed the case, saying embryos outside the womb are not children, but the Alabama Supreme Court reversed that decision. That court decision sparked national backlash. President Donald Trump, who was campaigning at the time, came out in support of IVF access soon after, urging Alabama lawmakers to 'act quickly to find an immediate solution' to keep the procedure legal. His comments reflected a broader shift, as many Republicans tried to distance themselves from the Alabama court's decision and its potential fallout. Louisiana's SB156, authored by Sen. Thomas Pressley, R-Shreveport, aims to provide clearer guidance while protecting embryos under state law, without creating conflicts with criminal statutes or overextending legal personhood. The bill now goes back to the Senate for its consideration of House amendments.
