Category Archives: Politics & Government
State lawmakers approve a budget that leaves many scratching their head, including the governor
The 2023 legislative session ended with a wild finish Thursday as state lawmakers scrambled to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Even Governor John Bel Edwards does not have a...
Jun 08, 2023 Photo by Brooke Thorington
SCOTUS ruling in Alabama congressional maps increases likelihood of second majority-Black district in Louisiana
The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in favor of Black voters in Alabama's congressional districts map case has advocates in Louisiana hopeful the nation's highest court will also rule that the Pelican Sta...
Jun 08, 2023 David / CC
Lawmakers approve legislation that creates the oyster shell recycling tax credit
Legislation to create a tax credit for restaurants that recycle oyster shells is headed to the governor's desk. The bill was supported by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana which operates the only...
Jun 08, 2023 CRCL volunteer bagging oyster shell. Courtesy of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana
Artist activist offers Louisiana a twist on 'In God We Trust' signs
Upon the final passage of legislation requiring "In God, We Trust" signs in Louisiana classrooms, a political activist who donated signs in Texas is making the same offer in Louisiana. Signs from Arti...
Jun 08, 2023 In God We Trust in Arabic by Chaz Stevens
House and Senate reach deal on spending cap, and how to spend surplus revenues
As the final hours of the State Legislature's session wind down, House and Senate members reach compromise on the state budget and raising the state-imposed cap of spending to make use of surplus fund...
Jun 07, 2023
Governor to sign extension of film tax credit
The state's film tax credit will officially be extended to 2031, once Governor Edwards signs House Bill 562. The original bill sought to extend the incentive set to expire in 2025, to 2035. But Louisi...
Jun 07, 2023 Jon Tyson / Unsplash
Package of anti-LGBTQ bills are headed to the Governor. Will he sign? Or veto?
A package of anti-LGBTQ bills has reached final passage, but will Governor John Bel Edwards veto them? A bill criticized as a "Don't Say Gay" bill bars school staff from discussing gender and sexual t...
Jun 06, 2023 Governor John Bel Edwards smiles as he thanks his wife Donna for serving as First Lady during his final State of the State address. April 10, 2023.
Louisiana Legislature passes law requiring 3rd graders to pass a literacy test to be promoted to the 4th grade
The Louisiana Senate on Tuesday afternoon gave final legislative approval to a bill that attempts to improve reading scores. The legislation would require public school third graders to pass a reading...
Jun 06, 2023 Adam Winger / Unsplash
Legislation to allow adult non-felons to carry a concealed firearm without a permit is dead for the session
Legislation seeking to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry a firearm without a permit is dead for the legislative session. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick decided to pull it from considera...
Jun 06, 2023 Representative Danny McCormick (R) Oil City
Bill giving cops power to command you "Stay Back" wins Final Passage. Will go the Governor's desk
A House bill giving police the ability to tell you "stay back" while they do their job wins final legislative passage in the state Senate. Pineville Rep. Mike Johnson's bill was represented on the Sen...
Jun 05, 2023
