State

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.

Legislature marked by sharp political divide

When state lawmakers ended their work last year, having passed a host of temporary tax increases to help fill a looming budget hole, many shrugged off the fact they did not make significant long-term changes to a tax code widely considered broken.

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.

State ranks 2nd in nation for male-female wage gap

Louisiana ranks second in the nation for greatest wage gap between men and women, 32 cents less per dollar of wages than men. Wyoming women make 36 cents less. The gap increases even further for women of color.

Opiod abuse reaches epidemic level in La.

Opiod abuse reaches epidemic level in La.

Power plant contractor sues LEPA for $18M

A contractor that built a power plant in Morgan City is suing the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority in federal court for nearly $18 million in damages, alleging that the authority breached its contract.

Medicaid expansion touted as stimulus, saving lives

Louisiana sits below the national average for state spending increases on Medicaid, a House Fiscal Division’s told Wednesday’s House Appropriations subcommittee on Health and Human Services, which also heard the Medicaid dollars needed for the next fiscal year it will be the most expensive in...