Legislature

Stripper age minimum stays 18

Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles, moved his Senate Bill 144, through the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday aims to protect young women from human trafficking by prohibiting strippers under the age of 18, three years younger than what he wanted. The tweaks, authored by Sen. J.P.

Lawmakers take aim at drug pricing

A set of bills moving through the state Legislature’s ongoing regular session would create new layers of disclosure in regard to prescription drug pricing in Louisiana.

Senate bill challenges death penalty; victims protest

A bill to eliminate the death penalty moved to the Senate floor Tuesday after hours-long testimony from victims, faith leaders and law enforcement representatives. Sen. Dan Claitor’s Senate Bill 142 was sent favorably after a 6-1 vote, with Sen. Bodi White, R-Baton Rouge, the lone opposing vote.

Nungesser argues against tourism budget cuts

Despite record-breaking year for tourism, the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism warned will not be able to sustain that volume with any more cuts in funding. The Office of Lieutenant Governor told House Appropriations subcommittee it, too, is a hardship case. Lt. Gov.

Senators debate bills for cheaper medicine, lowering obesity, tighten opioid regulations

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee reported to the full chamber for debate Tuesday bills to create cheaper medicine, to lower obesity rates and to provide more stringent opioid regulations. Senate Bill 14 by Sen.

Highway construction priority list question

The joint Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works set the tone for what is expected to be a raucous debate in the 2017 Legislative session that opened Monday over the proposal to raise the gas tax.

Gov. Edwards: Challenges Republicans to come up with solutions

Gov. John Bel Edwards had a message for Republicans opposing his plans for tax reform: Chart a new path. The call to action came during his State of the State address – the second of Edwards’ tenure – that opened the 60-day Louisiana State Legislature’s 2017 regular session.

Education tax credit sunset

State Sen. Morrell, D-New Orleans, has pre-filed a bill for the 2017 regular session that eliminates what he calls a ““really obscure, weird” tax credit in Louisiana. He hopes it will free up money to fund early childhood and college scholarships instead.

Budget cuts big and small hit agencies

Budget reductions large and small hit a number of state agencies during the 10-day Extraordinary Session of the 2017 Legislature as lawmakers eventually erasing a $304 million mid-year budget deficit.

Legislators tap $99M from Rainy Day as part of buget patch

Louisiana lawmakers finished their work filling a $304 million mid-year budget gap Wednesday, with the Legislature coming to a compromise following a week of public fights and private negotiations between Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards and Republican legislators.