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Ten days left in the legislative session so what is left to do? The Louisiana Legislature still has to approve a budget. Senate President Cameron Henry says they are making good progress and it helps the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized additional dollars to spend. Henry says some of that additional revenue will go to roads and bridges.
“Specifically bridges in rural Louisiana, we have an enomorous amount of bridges out in those areas that are really starting to have a significant impact on economic development up there,” Henry said.
A bill to reorganize the state Department of Transportation still needs final legislative approval before the session ends on June 12th. It’s a bill Governor Jeff Landry supports. Henry says it’s needed because DOTD is having a hard time spending money efficiently to improve the state’s roads.
“And it’s not that DOTD is doing anything wrong, what we found is the policies they have in place, the timelines they give people to work, just don’t work anymore,” Henry said.
Most of the heavy lifting is done when it comes to insurance reform legislation as the governor has already signed six bills. Landry still wants an enhanced medical transparency bill approved. It would give judges and juries more clarity on the dollar figure for medical bills from a car crash.
A Senate bill to make the insurance commissioner an appointed position rather than elected did not pass. Henry says it’s an idea the legislature may have to revisit.
“Give Commissioner (Tim) Temple this term and next term the ability to lower rates and if not, maybe we have to pick a different direction,” Henry said.
The legislative session must conclude on June 12th.
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