August 2024 Government Highlights
-With elections coming in November, La. and Alabama will share data to help ensure voter accuracy.
-Notable laws that went into effect on August 1:
-Permitless conceal carry is now throughout La.
-Prohibit teachers from discussing gender identity with students
-No person shall be required to receive a Covid-19 vaccine for schools
-Creates the license plate with the LSU Baseball National Champions
-Penalties allowed for unlawful disruption in school
-Missing details on absentee ballots can be thrown out
-Allows judges to sentence child rapists to surgical castration
-Public notices must be sent in advance if requested
-However, lawmakers will not call a special session or constitutional convention this year.
-Moving on, According to Axios, La.’s car insurance is among the most expensive in the country
-The new leadership with the La. Workforce Commissions wants to solve our labor shortage by collaborating with schools for specialty training and with social services to connect workbase learning.
-La. has banned cell phone usage in schools
-Nearly half of La. third graders are not reading at grade level; but students are given opportunities for private tutoring
-GNO, Inc has launched a Road Closure Tracker ahead of the Super Bowl
Locally: – Jefferson Parish is looking to ban camping on public property
-JP has finally selected a smart water meter vendor, but now an advertising vendor is crying foul bc they did not receive the contract
-JP workers received a minimum wage hike to $14 per hour
-JP schools will now offer free breakfast and lunch to all students
-The JP Council has asked the State Board of Election Supervisors to review the hiring of Mike Yenni bc of his indiscretions with a teenager
-They have also requested an outside party review of Entergy’s services beyond the Public Service Commission
-The FTA awarded JP $5.4 million grant to purchase five new low-emission buses
-Bucktown has started its 2nd phase of the living shoreline at the Bucktown Marina.
-Pickle and Pins will replace the Surge Park
-American Airlines will end its daily nonstop from NO to Austin in October
-But, Southwest will add nonstop flights in prep for the Taylor Swift concert; they will also begin assigning seats for travelers soon