politics

Some State Senators Puzzled By Tax Amnesty Solution

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:34:00 +0000

In the Finance committee Thursday Senators questioned the way the House filled the hole it dug in the proposed budget for next year. The House took out one-time money, from selling state property, court settlements, and dedicated funds, and put in a tax amnesty program.

The Legislative Fiscal Office usually considers tax amnesty revenues to be one-time money too.

Analyst Cokie Roberts Steeped In Louisiana Politics

Amy Jeffries — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:32:00 +0000

NPR News Analyst Cokie Roberts grew up in Louisiana in the 1940 and 50s -- the daughter of Hale and Lindy Boggs, who both represented New Orleans in Congress.

Cokie was home, here in Louisiana yesterday, to deliver the keynote speech at LSU's commencement ceremony.

Before all the pomp and circumstance, WRKF's Amy Jeffries caught up with her.

School Voucher Funding Up In The Air

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:32:00 +0000

Hundreds of parents, children, teachers and administrators rallied on the steps of the Capitol calling on lawmakers to find a new way to fund private school vouchers, chanting "You promised/ to put kids first."

The old way to fund vouchers was ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court last week because it routed money through a formula -- called the MFP -- that is dedicated to public schools.

Southeast School District In Baton Rouge Could Cost State

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:42:00 +0000

A slice of East Baton Rouge Parish, south of I-12 and north of I-10, is a step closer to having its own school district.

The House Education Committee passed the set of bills needed to establish the breakaway district. Approval now falls to the Appropriations committee next to evaluate cost.

Firearms Manufacturing Bill Advances In State Senate

Ashley Westerman — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:38:00 +0000

A bill that would allow gun buyers and sellers to circumvent any federal firearm ban if a gun is manufactured in-state has advanced in the Senate.

La. Hospital Privitization Costs Still Foggy After Auditor's Report

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:41:00 +0000

Lawmakers that have fought the Administration for more power in the process of privatizing the state’s charity hospitals may get their wish as they consider funding for the cost of laying off hospital workers.

According to a report by the state auditor’s office, the privatization will cost the state 42 million dollar in leave payouts and unemployment payments.

Card-Carrying Cajuns? Louisiana Lawmakers Weigh ID Change

Bill Chappell — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:17:59 +0000

A bill making its way through the Louisiana Legislature would let Cajun citizens celebrate their ancestry by customizing their driver's license, adding the phrase "I'm a Cajun" below their photograph.

It would cost $5 to add the message; the money would go toward "scholarships distributed by the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, a program promoting French language and culture in the state," reports NOLA.com.

The Senate has already

House Overwhelmingly Backs State Budget Compromise

editor — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:32:00 +0000
With a 95-3 vote, a nearly $25 billion budget is heading to the Senate for approval after days of negotiations. But it’s not the plan Gov. Bobby Jindal wanted.

Medicaid Expansion Clears State House Committee

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:21:00 +0000
With a one-vote margin, a bill that would force Louisiana to accept federal Medicaid Expansion advanced through the House Health and Welfare Committee Wednesday.
Governor Bobby Jindal has opposed the Expansion, claiming it would be too expensive and that the federal program doesn’t meet Louisiana’s needs.