Members of a state Senate panel got a stark picture Monday of the impact of the Louisiana House’s budget tinkering. From slashes in Medicaid provider rates to accreditation woes for health care training programs, state officials told the Senate Finance … Continue reading
State health chief Bruce Greenstein on Monday outlined cuts his agency would have to make if $100.7 million in one-time money the House stripped isn’t restored. The $100.7 million equates to $350 million because the state money attracts federal funds, … Continue reading
The Louisiana House’s decision on Friday to defy the governor’s plan to balance the budget with one-time money could cost the state’s public universities more than $225 million in state funds next year. Such a dramatic decrease in state funding … Continue reading
A bill that would provide a $3.65 million annual tax rebate for the National Basketball Association’s New Orleans Hornets won final legislative approval Monday. The proposal, House Bill 1072, won Senate approval 28-7 without debate. The Louisiana House passed the … Continue reading
The state Senate voted 38-0 Monday for a bill that would increase penalties for failing to report a missing child. The measure, House Bill 600, stems from a problem discovered during the Florida case of Casey Anthony, who for 31 … Continue reading
The Louisiana Senate voted unanimously Monday in approving a measure that would extend military members’ eligibility of their TOPS scholarships. Senate Bill 579 would supersede current law which limits high school graduates who join the military to a one year … Continue reading
A bill that would pave the way for a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge was cleared Monday for a showdown vote in the full Louisiana House. The measure, Senate Bill 563, won approval in the House Appropriations Committee, … Continue reading
ISSUES TO WATCH MONDAY SB563 Creates and provides for the Southeast Baton Rouge Community School Board and school system in East Baton Rouge Parish in House Appropriations. SB299 Grants the Southeast Baton Rouge community school system in East Baton Rouge … Continue reading