Manship

Teacher pay raise sent to voters

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.

Legislators free money for projects

Three senior lawmakers said a decision last Friday to shift $717 million in state funds was one of the highlights of the legislative session that ended Monday.

Teacher stipend returned to budget

Lawmakers are adding back some of the money for public school teacher stipends next year, and they gave final approval Thursday to bills that would ban gender discussions and COVID-19 vaccines in schools.

Abortion pill possession to be a crime

The Louisiana Senate Thursday approved a bill that would classify abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances, sending it to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk for his signature.

Bill eases penalties for paraphernalia

he Louisiana Senate on Tuesday approved an amended version of a House bill that would decriminalize the possession and use of drug paraphernalia, such as pipes and bongs, by making it a civil offense punishable by a fine but no jail time.

House says no to school bus heat, air conditioning

A Senate bill that would have required heating and air-conditioning systems in school buses failed on the Louisiana House floor Tuesday. The House rejected the measure 42-57 after nearly 1 ½ hours of debate.

House OKs constitutional convention

A bill calling for a constitutional convention, a key part of Gov. Jeff Landry’s agenda, passed the House floor in a 75-27 Tuesday after a lengthy debate and various amendments.

Constitution changes proposed

The Louisiana House Tuesday kicked off discussion of Gov. Jeff Landry’s call for a convention this spring to pare down the state’s Constitution. HB 800, sponsored by Rep.

Bill reverses doubling I-10 fines on Basin

The Senate Transportation, Highway and Public Works Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to reverse legislation from 2022 that would have doubled fines and installed camera safety devices on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge on I-10. Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, and Sen.

Legislation mandates ‘God’s law’ in schools

The House Education Committee voted 10-3 Thursday to advance a bill to require public schools to display the 10 Commandments. House Bill 7l, by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, is attempting to navigate the traditional legal divide between church and state.