March 2018 Government Highlights
Louisiana on bottom of ‘U.S. News’ best states By: City Business staff reports February 27, 2018
Louisiana is at the bottom of a new report on the best states to live in.
The state ranks last on U.S. News and World Report’s Best States for the second year in a row. The report released Tuesday ranks states based on quality of life, health care, education, crime and corrections, economy, fiscal stability, opportunity and infrastructure.
BUT LET’S NOT FORGET THAT Jefferson Parish Schools Ranked in U.S. News and World Report
2013 Best High Schools Rankings. Four local schools made the list.
The Haynes Academy School for Advanced Students came in at #138 followed by the Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy (#826) and the Thomas Jefferson School for Advanced Students (#1028). Both schools received silver medals. Fisher Middle/High School in Lafitte was granted a bronze medal and national recognition.
U.S. News and World Report collected data on more than 21,000 public high schools throughout the entire country. Those schools were evaluated on overall student performance, performance on Advanced Placement exams and the effectiveness of the education provided to black, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged students.
And Metairie was named one of the best places to live in the country in 2017
Although it’s not officially a city, Metairie has been named one of America’s 50 Best Cities to Live.
SO THAT JUST SHOWS US HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE NO MATTER WHAT OUR SURROUNDINGS ARE
SOME GOOD NEWS FOR THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS THOUGH THAT WILL OVERFLOW INTO PROFITABILITY FOR EAST JEFFERSON:
Land swap expected to help Port of New Orleans, outgoing port commissioner
By: Lance Traweek, Managing Editor February 27, 2018 0
The landmark land swap along the riverfront that gave the Port of New Orleans control of the Public Belt Railroad continues to move full steam ahead, with a port tenant on track to make improvements to a portion of the railroad.
Dallas-Based Southwest Airlines Unveils Louisiana-Themed JetBy 3-9-18
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A giant pelican will soon be landing and taking off at airports in a salute to its namesake state.
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines unveiled Louisiana One on Wednesday at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. The Boeing 737-700 is painted with an artist’s rendition of Louisiana’s flag. Gov. John Bel Edwards says the plane is a tribute to the Pelican State and a flying ambassador.
In 1979, New Orleans became Southwest’s first destination served beyond its home state of Texas.
The plane that features a mother pelican and a nest of her three young joins 11 other state-themed 737s in Southwest’s fleet: Arizona One, California One, Colorado One, Florida One, Illinois One, Lone Star One (Texas), Maryland One, Missouri One, Nevada One, New Mexico One and Tennessee One.
Editor’s Note: This is one in a series of stories featured in our annual Top Construction Projects, inserted in the Feb. 16 issue of CityBusiness.
Adams Clinical runs clinical trials for drug companies and started using Uber Health in the middle of last year. Since then, trial participation has grown and patients have started staying in the studies longer, CEO Nelson Rutrick said.
The Watertown, Massachusetts, company had used taxis before switching to Uber. Rutrick said taxis were more expensive and required advance planning to get a cab to drive an hour or two to pick someone up.
“Uber is already where the patient lives,” he said.
Top Construction Projects 8. Ochsner Health System expansion
By: Tommy Santora, Contributing Writer March 2, 2018 0
In 2017, Ochsner Health System saw 773,000 different people from all 50 states and more than 60 countries worldwide – a 15 percent increase from the 670,000 people seen in 2016.
op Construction Projects 10. Children’s Hospital
By: Thad Rueter, Contributing Writer March 6, 2018 0
Courtesy Children’s Hospital
Project description: Adding 250,000 square feet to the Uptown campus, plus modernizations
Project cost: $300 million
Start date: March 2017
Expected completion date: August 2021
Owner/developer: Children’s Hospital
Project manager: Scott Landry, project executive; Warren Umbach, project manager
Construction teams: Lemoine Company
Architect: EYP/SBS (Stanley, Beaman, Sears); F&J Architects
When officials from Children’s Hospital of New Orleans look forward about three years, when $300 million worth of expansion and renovations at the 62-year-old facility are scheduled for completion, their thoughts involve not only their young patients, but families as well.
The Cardiac Intensive Care and Cardiac Neonatal Care Units will expand from 20 beds to 28 private rooms, where parents can stay with their recovering children. Exam rooms in the emergency room will increase to 138 square feet from 123 square feet, proving more comfort for everyone. The hospital campus also will gain a 600-car parking garage with an enclosed walkover bridge—searching too long for parking can frustrate anyone worried about their sick children.
“Every parent can understand the need to be with their son and daughter at every step of their care,” said Matt Schaefer, the hospital’s chief operating officer. “We are not just about patient-centered care, but family-centered care.”
Of course, every hospital’s main duty is to its patients, and Children’s Hospital—which at the end of the project in 2021 will have 258 new private rooms, up from 247 beds—could emerge as one of the premier children’s health facilities in the nation, at least according to the projections of the people behind the three-phase construction plan. For instance, a new behavioral health center will enable patient evaluations in a “secure environment.” The surgery area will have “enhanced imaging capabilities that allow intraoperative diagnostic imaging on complex neurosurgical cases,” the hospital said. A comprehensive care center will combine into one large space that includes inpatient, outpatient and infusion services.
Those and other improvements reflect the advances in medical technology over the six-decade life of Children’s Hospital. The last major renovation work there took place in 2006, according to Ben Whitworth, the hospital assistant vice president who is overseeing the expansions and renovations.
And the larger rooms are not always just about family comfort. For example, the Pediatric Care ICU will have 28 private rooms with 315 square feet, up from 180 square feet.
“That is such a vital change,” Whitworth said. “Newer equipment is not built for those older rooms.”
The stakes are high. Children’s Hospital is the only freestanding children’s hospital in the state, Schaefer said. He and Whitworth both hope to join the ranks of highly-ranked children’s hospitals located in such cities as Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Chicago.
“We are growing and developing along with the area,” Schaefer said. “This will help generations of children here.”
Top Construction Projects 9. 2 Canal St. redevelopment
By: Thad Rueter, Contributing Writer March 5, 2018 0
It’s billed by the developer as a dream on the Mississippi—turning the iconic World Trade Center downtown into an upscale Four Seasons hotel with more than 300 guest rooms, some 80 hotel condos, a restaurant, rooftop pool, spa and a 28,000-square-foot meeting space.
Work begins on $14.4M renovation of Bohn Motor Co. building
By: CityBusiness staff reports February 19, 2018 0
The former Bohn Motor Co. building in the Broad Avenue corridor is set to undergo a historic renovation and expansion.
Top Construction Projects: 1. Street and sewer repairs FIXING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
By: Tommy Santora, Contributing Writer February 19, 2018 0
Photo by André Courville
Top Construction Projects: 2. New Orleans Public Schools
By: Tommy Santora, Contributing Writer February 19, 2018 0
In leading the largest school disaster recovery program in U.S. history, Ronald Bordelon and his team are in the final phases of a project that can best be described as complex.
Home / Breaking News / Top Construction Projects: 3. Yuhuang Chemical Plant
Hard Rock Hotel to open next year on Canal Street
By: Andrew Valenti, Reporter February 15, 2018 0
Hard Rock International said Thursday it would bring its expanding hotel portfolio at the site of the former Woolworth’s building in the Central Business District.
Top Construction Projects: 3. Yuhuang Chemical Plant
By: Thad Rueter, Contributing Writer February 20, 2018 0
A massive, ongoing $1.85 billion construction project in St. James Parish not only represents a new era of investment in Louisiana but could make the state even more important in the global energy industry.
Top Construction 4. Armstrong Airport North Terminal
By: Thad Rueter, Contributing Writer February 23, 2018 0
One of the largest and most impactful infrastructure projects in the area’s history is poised to make its debut by the time spring arrives next year.
City Council approves Entergy power plant in New Orleans East
By: CityBusiness staff reports March 9, 2018 0
Entergy’s proposal to build a new natural gas-fired power plant in New Orleans East received the final go-ahead from the City Council on Thursday.
Uber starts offering rides to the doctor
By: The Associated Press March 2, 2018 0
Uber is driving deeper into health care by offering to take patients in every U.S. market where it operates to their next medical appointment.
The ride-hailing service said Thursday its Uber Health business will handle rides set up by doctor’s offices or other health care providers and then bill that business, not the patient, for the service. The company said rides can be set up within a few hours or days in advance. Patients won’t need access to a smartphone to use the service.
Uber began testing the service last summer. More than 100 health care providers have signed up including hospitals, clinics and physical therapy centers.
Company leaders said they are expanding because there’s a need. They cite federal government research that estimates that more than 3 million people do not obtain medical care due to transportation problems.
“There are a lot of people out there who are not going to the doctor simply because they can’t physically make it there,” said Uber Health executive Jay Holley.
He added that the service also represents a business opportunity for Uber by connecting the company with a lot of first-time users.
Uber will bill care providers who sign up for the service monthly based on their usage. Holley said some may pass the cost on to their customers, but most of the providers it has worked with so far pay for the rides out of their operating budget.
Uber rival Lyft offers a similar service called Concierge, which allows health care providers to set up rides for patients to get to appointments. The providers pay for the rides. Lyft also has patient transport partnerships with larger health care providers.
Health insurers and others have long recognized the need to help some patients, especially those with low incomes, make their medical appointments.
Molina Healthcare Inc. has offered a transportation benefit to its customers for around 25 years and says that more than 3 million people are eligible. Molina specializes in administering the state- and federally funded Medicaid programs for poor people and the disabled.
Spokeswoman Laura Murray said the insurer found that covering transportation expenses helps patients keep regular appointments and preventive care visits, which can include things like flu shots or checkups. She said that can improve patient health and cut down on unnecessary emergency room visits.
Warner Bros. sticking with Louisiana for two TV shows
By: CityBusiness staff reports February 26, 2018 0
Warner Bros. will continue filming two television series in Louisiana, including locations in the New Orleans area, the state’s economic officials said Monday.
Courtesy oprah.com/app/queen-sugar.html
“Queen Sugar,” has been renewed for a third season on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Filming locations include a farm in Vacherie and a home in Edgard. “Claws” has begun filming a second season for Turner Network Television, with shooting locations in New Orleans and Westwego.
Warner Bros. has filmed or completed post-production work on more than 15 motion picture and TV projects in the state since 2005, according to a news release from Louisiana Economic Development.
For the first season of “Queen Sugar,” Warner Bros. spent $23.6 million in production costs in Louisiana, including $9.25 million in Louisiana resident payroll, the news release said. Estimated Louisiana expenditures for the second season were $29.6 million, including $11.7 million in Louisiana resident payroll, and estimates for the third season are $33.7 million in Louisiana production costs, including $8.8 million in Louisiana resident payroll.
For “Claws,” production estimates were $5 million in Louisiana expenditures for the series pilot, including $1.75 million in Louisiana resident payroll; $24.9 million in Louisiana expenditures for the first season, including $8.6 million in Louisiana resident payroll; and $35.2 million in Louisiana expenditures for the second season, including $12 million in Louisiana resident payroll.
The state recently rolled out a new incentive program for the film industry following lawmakers’ decision to rein in the previous program.
For jobs paying $45,000 or more annually, a company is eligible for a 15 percent payroll tax credit. That credit increases to 20 percent for new jobs paying more than $66,000 annually. A similar incentive is available for music companies.
The performance-based program allows companies to qualify for up to $1 million in payroll credits per year. If they create and maintain a minimum of five new jobs, they can become eligible for the payroll credit for five years, with an option to renew for five more years.
Post-Katrina debt cleared for 4 southern colleges
By: The Associated Press February 12, 2018 0
Three historically black universities in New Orleans and one in Mississippi will see about $330 million in post-Katrina debt owed to the federal government cleared under a provision in a congressional budget deal signed by President Donald Trump.
Dillard University, Xavier University and Southern University at New Orleans and Tougaloo College, just north of Jackson, Mississippi, borrowed the money in 2007 from the federal Department of Education as they struggled to deal with crippling blows dealt by Hurricane Katrina.
The New Orleans Advocate reports little of the loans had been paid back in the past decade, as most of the universities tried to regain their footing and boost enrollment. Payments were suspended in 2013 under a provision inserted into a 2012 spending bill by former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu but the five-year loan forbearance period was set to expire in April, putting pressure on the universities. Each potentially faced millions in debt payments to the federal government.
Ochsner, Chamberlain University partner to curb nursing shortage
By: CityBusiness staff reports March 1, 2018 0
Ochsner Health System and Chamberlain University, a for-profit health care and nursing school based in Illinois, are pairing up to address a shortage of nurses in the New Orleans area.
The two entities said Thursday they will open a Chamberlain University campus on the West Campus of Ochsner Medical Center on Jefferson Highway in New Orleans. Spring semester classes begin April 30.
The new campus will be Chamberlain’s first in Louisiana and joins 20 nationwide, a news release said. It will offer an on-site bachelor of science degree in nursing that can be completed in three years of year-round study. Post-licensure degree programs such as the RN-BSN degree, master of science in nursing and doctor of nursing practice will also be offered, and nurses already working with Ochsner will receive special tuition pricing.
Jennifer Couvillon, an assistant vice president of system nursing professional development at Ochsner, has joined Chamberlain and will lead the campus as president.
Home / Breaking News / 2018 ‘Health Care Heroes’ honors industry standouts
2018 ‘Health Care Heroes’ honors industry standouts
By: Natalie Chandler, Editor March 8, 2018 1 Comment
Started in 2007, Health Care Heroes honors health care professionals in the New Orleans area in the following categories: animal care, first responders, nursing, physicians, professionals and volunteers. Honorees are selected based on industry achievement and community involvement.
This year’s honorees are:
Animal Care
Scott Abadie
Abadie Veterinary Hospital
Catherine Wilbert
Big Sky Ranch, C.A.T.N.I.P. Foundation
First Responder
John Michael Eddleman
East Jefferson, Kenner Fire Department
Bill Salmeron
New Orleans EMS
Benjamin Swig
Ready Responders
Nurses
Stephanie Bush
Ochsner Clinic
Latanja L. Divens
LSU School of Nursing
Cate Dwight
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
Cindy Esmail
Tulane Health System
Euclide D. Gaines Jr.
St Bernard Parish Hospital
Shannon Grosch
Touro Infirmary
Theresa Jacobsen
Children’s Hospital
Judy Zeringue
Children’s Hospital
Physicians
Jennifer Avegno
University Medical Center New Orleans
Nicholas DiSalvo
Ochsner Baptist
Christopher DuCoin
Tulane School of Medicine
George Ellis
Children’s Hospital
Robert Hendel
Tulane Heart and Vascular Institute
Geoffrey Kitzman
New Orleans East Hospital
Christopher Lege
Touro Infirmary
Marianne Maumuse
Ochsner Health System
Rebecca C. Metzinger
Veterans Administration Medical Center
Christopher Sanchez
Sterling Surgical Hospital
Jack Saux
Northshore Oncology Associates
Rebecca Schroll
University Medical Center New Orleans
Steffan Sernich
Children’s Hospital New Orleans
Edward L. Soll
Doctors Imaging
Professionals
Wendy Beron
Methodist Health Systems Foundation
Jeremy Brewer
Bastion Community of Resilience
Christopher Brown
Touro Infirmary
Kristin L. Callahan
LSU Medical School
Jennifer S. Couvillon
Chamberlain University College of Nursing
Denise Danna
LSU School of Nursing
Miranda Dunnam
Children’s Hospital
Connie Dupre Gaines
Cardiovascular Institute of the South
Grant Gautreaux
Touchstone
Elyria Kemp
University of New Orleans – College of Business
Kay Mabile
Cardiovascular Institute of the South
Julie Claire Morial
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Louisiana
Cheryl E. Myers
Delgado Community College
Gerald Parton
East Jefferson Medical Hospital
Else Pedersen
Bridge House, Grace House
Gretchen Penton
Touro Infirmary
Felicia Rabito
Tulane University
Patrick Torcson
St. Tammany Parish Hospital
Georgette Triche
Aetna Better Health of Louisiana
Volunteer
Dick Buckman
Touro Infirmary
Bonnie Rivet
Slidell Memorial Hospital
Claire Elizabeth Thriffiley
Children’s Hospital
Sara Wegener
Children’s Hospital
The 2018 Health Care Heroes will be honored at 5 pm Monday, May 14, at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Tickets can be purchased online. For more information contact Marilyn Miller at 504-293-9201 or mmiller@nopg.com or Web Editor/Event Coordinator Meghan Keen at 504-293-9253 or mkeen@nopg.com.
Louisiana Republicans elect first new leader in 14 years
By: The Associated Press February 26, 2018 0
Louisiana Republicans chose their first new chairman in more than a decade Saturday, selecting a New Orleans businessman who will lead the party as it readies for a heated effort aimed at unseating Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2019.
Louis Gurvich’s two-year term began immediately once the party’s governing body elected him over three other candidates
He takes over from Roger Villere, who decided against seeking another term after serving as chairman for 14 years, the longest tenure in the state party’s history.
Owner of a private security business, Gurvich told his fellow Republicans on the GOP State Central Committee that the theme of his chairmanship is: “Saddle the horses. We are on the march.” He labeled the party “under attack” from Democrats and said he wants to ensure the GOP is Louisiana’s dominant party.
“We plan to expand the party, expand our role and elect more Republicans up and down the state at every level,” the new chairman said.
About 900,000 of Louisiana’s nearly 3 million voters are registered Republicans, according to elections data. While the party holds a majority of the state’s congressional, statewide and legislative seats, it has struggled to meet voter registration goals sought by GOP leaders. Candidates for the chairman’s job talked of strengthening that base.
As the party gears up for the 2018 congressional elections and the 2019 statewide races including the high-profile competition for governor, several Republicans talked of the need for a greater focus on fundraising. Scott Wilfong, a Baton Rouge political consultant who unsuccessfully ran for the chairman’s job, said the party is nearly $100,000 in debt and has a shrinking donor base.
Republicans elected their leader by paper ballot. Party officials said Gurvich received 97 votes out of 177 cast. Wilfong came in second with 49. State Rep. Julie Emerson of Carencro was third with 25 votes, followed by Charlie Buckels of Lafayette, the party’s finance chairman, with six.
Kay Katz, a former state lawmaker who nominated Gurvich, described him as hardworking, calm and “fervent to Republican ideals.”
Villere, a Jefferson Parish resident who owns a florist business, had been chairman of the party since 2004, when he won the position by 21 votes. He was state GOP leader as Republicans took control of the Louisiana Legislature and captured all but one of Louisiana’s nine statewide elected positions, including both U.S. Senate seats. Republicans held one statewide elected job when Villere became chairman.
“We changed the entire direction of this state. We have a lot to celebrate,” said Rhett Davis, a longtime party operative.
But Villere also led the party during the loss of the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion in 2015, when Edwards, a state representative once considered a long-shot contender, defeated then-U.S. Sen. David Vitter, a Republican who had been expected to win the job.
Gurvich said one of his main goals as state Republican Party chairman will be to reclaim that seat for the GOP. No major Republican contender has officially announced, though several have said they are considering the race. Among the possible Republican candidates are U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and Attorney General Jeff Landry.
The new chairman also said Republicans should oppose taxes in the special legislative session to help fill a $994 million state budget gap caused by expiring taxes and push to call a state constitutional convention.
In tax negotiations, Gov. Edwards rejects sales tax renewal
By: The Associated Press February 8, 2018 0
Gov. John Bel Edwards says he’s flexible on tax ideas to close a $1 billion budget gap and stave off deep cuts to services, except for one proposal: a long-term renewal of the 1 percent sales tax whose expiration is creating most of the shortfall.
For Republican lawmakers willing to vote for taxes, Edwards appears to be taking one of the most significant revenue-raising measures off the table, even though it’s something they could possibly support.
“It’s likely that will be a proposition put in front of him,” said Rep. Thomas Carmody, a Shreveport Republican who said he’d consider renewal of part of the sales tax.
Edwards, a Democrat, said the temporary sales tax was planned as a bridge to a larger rewrite of Louisiana’s tax laws, which hasn’t happened. He said the tax hike more heavily hits the poor and a task force of Louisiana economists and tax experts considers it bad policy out of step with other states.
“It disproportionately penalizes the most vulnerable citizens. It’s regressive in nature, but from an economic perspective, it doesn’t align with where Louisiana’s economy is going,” Edwards spokesman Richard Carbo said in a statement.
Rep. Tanner Magee said in his district “they don’t really notice the sales tax.”
Sales tax bill fails as Louisiana session edges to collapse
By: The Associated Press March 1, 2018 0
With only days remaining in Louisiana’s special session, House lawmakers Wednesday voted down a sales tax bill that was the favored approach of Republican leaders, continuing the disarray that has defined the session and throwing the ability to reach a budget fix into serious doubt.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said he and the Legislature were in a 24-hour period that was “critical as to whether we can succeed” in the session that must end March 7. The House vote seemed to tilt further against the likelihood of reaching a deal to close a $994 million budget hole that looms July 1.
Frustration was evident among lawmakers.
“The people of Louisiana are better than what we are delivering, because so far we have delivered nothing,” said Rep. Rob Shadoin, a Republican from Ruston.
With the failure of the sales tax bill , the House adjourned without action on any income tax bills favored by Democrats, scheduled to return Thursday. But time is running short.
The shortfall that hits in four months is caused by expiring temporary taxes. Edwards wants lawmakers to pass replacement taxes, saying without them, the TOPS free college tuition program, health care services and public safety programs would face deep cuts. Edwards said the cuts “would be horrendous.”
“I feel no sense of urgency from anyone,” said Rep. Tanner Magee, a Houma Republican.
Failing to get enough support Wednesday was a measure that would temporarily renew one-quarter of an expiring 1 percent sales tax and temporarily eliminate some sales tax breaks, to raise nearly $300 million annually. Louisiana’s current state sales tax rate is 5 percent. It drops to 4 percent on July 1. The bill by Rep. Stephen Dwight, a Lake Charles Republican, would move the rate to 4.25 percent. But 0.25 percent of the tax would again be temporary, with an expiration date in mid-2021.
“Is it perfect? Probably not. But it’s a solution,” Dwight said. “I did not want a billion dollars in cuts.”
Only 38 of 105 House members voted for the measure. It needed 70 votes to pass.
The sales tax proposal is backed by House GOP leaders, but opposed by some anti-tax Republicans and by some Democrats who say it’s a heavier hit to the poor.
“The poor people of this state are suffering, absolutely suffering,” said Rep. Gary Carter, a New Orleans Democrat. “This is an easy no vote.”
In a speech to a local Rotary Club, Edwards suggested lawmakers needed to be more willing to consider compromise.
“If you insist on what in your mind is perfect before you will vote on it, then what you are insisting on is failure,” Edwards said, comparing the stalemate to congressional inaction in Washington. “The people of Louisiana deserve better than that.”
Part of the $994 million shortfall will be offset with $302 million estimated from increased state income-tax collections caused by the federal tax changes. Edwards said that $692 million in replacement taxes should be “imminently doable.”
House lawmakers did vote for a proposal to improve Louisiana’s spending transparency website, sending it to the Senate for debate. But they rebuffed House Speaker Taylor Barras’ constitutional change to rewrite the state’s spending cap formula, an effort aimed at limiting annual spending growth.
Amid tension, Louisiana lawmakers back for another session
By: The Associated Press March 12, 2018 0
Fresh from a failed special session on finances, Louisiana lawmakers are resuming their debates on the unsettled budget mess as well as hot-button proposals on guns, gambling, sexual harassment and abortion.
The regular legislative session opens at noon, with a decade’s worth of state financial troubles again taking much of the focus. Gov. John Bel Edwards is to address the House and Senate an hour after the session’s start.
Tensions are simmering as Louisiana lawmakers face an estimated $700 million shortfall when the new budget year begins July 1, caused by the expiration of temporary taxes. Education programs and safety-net health services for the poor and disabled remain most vulnerable to cuts.
Partisan gridlock in the House blocked every tax bill proposed in the two-week special session to close the hole, and lawmakers abruptly ended the session early, unable to break the logjam. The collapse of negotiations provoked anger and frustration that is expected to spill into the regular session, as lawmakers try to determine where they’d like to shave away spending.
“It’s almost scary to think of lawmakers tackling any kind of really substantive policy matters in the current environment,” said the nonpartisan Council For A Better Louisiana. “Will they be voting on the policies or providing political payback for what did or didn’t happen in the special session? As cynical as that sounds, it’s a legitimate concern.”
Lawmakers have pre-filed more than 1,100 bills on a wide list of subjects.
Proposals would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, restructure the TOPS college tuition program, end Louisiana’s use of the death penalty, redesign criminal sentencing laws, expand the state’s private school voucher program and change teacher tenure rules.
Among his agenda items, Edwards wants to reduce the list of careers requiring state occupational licenses, add new protections against elderly abuse and prohibit schools from punishing students who owe lunch money.
“No child should have to choose between going hungry and being made to feel less than simply because they cannot afford the price of a school lunch that day,” the Democratic governor said in a statement.
Lawmakers in the majority-GOP House and Senate are to consider whether to strengthen laws against hazing, after the recent death of a Louisiana State University student. They’ll decide whether to rewrite riverboat casino laws and whether to legalize sports betting. They’ll again debate whether to raise Louisiana’s minimum wage or restore voting rights for some convicted felons.
Keying in on national debates, lawmakers will decide if they want to enact a uniform sexual harassment prevention policy for all state agencies.
Republicans and Democrats differ in their response to the Florida school shooting that killed 17 people, with Democrats seeking new gun restrictions and GOP lawmakers proposing to allow concealed handguns and armed teachers inside schools. One lawmaker wants students to be able to wear bullet-proof backpacks.
The frustration over finances has heightened calls for a constitutional convention. House Republicans are proposing new cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid patients and tightening of the state spending cap.
The regular session is expected to end ahead of its June 4 deadline.
Edwards, Senate President John Alario and House Speaker Taylor Barras are working on a plan to finish 10 to 20 days early. That would allow for a second special session to be held on taxes, in order to keep the entire budget gap from being closed with cuts.
They’ve questioned whether a budget proposing deep reductions can even win passage.
“I’m assuming that would be difficult to do, but maybe not impossible,” Barras said.
As Louisiana regular session opens, Edwards seeks ‘refocus’
By: The Associated Press March 12, 2018 0
With tensions still simmering from a failed special session, Gov. John Bel Edwards asked Louisiana’s lawmakers to move on Monday as their annual regular legislative gathering began, rather than get mired in the same standoffs that stalled action on taxes.
“I hope that in the past week you’ve had time to rest and refocus on the work that we have ahead of us,” the Democratic governor told the House and Senate. “And especially I do not want the roadblocks of the special session to hamper us from what’s most important — making life better for the people of this great state.”
Lawmakers will resume their debates on the unsettled budget mess, the culmination of a decade’s worth of state financial troubles, as well as hot-button proposals on guns, gambling and sexual harassment.
An estimated $700 million shortfall looms when the new budget year begins July 1, caused by the expiration of temporary taxes.
Partisan gridlock in the House blocked every tax bill proposed in the two-week special session called by Edwards to close the hole, and lawmakers abruptly ended the session early, unable to break the logjam. Anger and frustration is expected to spill into the regular session, as lawmakers try to determine where they’ll shave away spending. The Legislature can’t consider taxes in the regular session.
Education programs and safety net health services for the poor and disabled remain most vulnerable to cuts.
“I think that many of you will find that it’s much harder than it seems because when you cut funding, you cut services that many people in this state rely upon,” Edwards said. But he told GOP lawmakers: “To those that say we can cut our way out of this, it’s your time to step up to the plate.”
Beyond finances, lawmakers have pre-filed more than 1,100 bills on a wide list of subjects.
Proposals would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, restructure the TOPS college tuition program, end Louisiana’s use of the death penalty, expand the state’s private school voucher program, loosen riverboat casino and video poker laws and legalize sports betting. The frustration over finances has heightened calls for a constitutional convention. House Republicans are proposing cost-sharing requirements for Medicaid patients and a tighter state spending cap.
Among his agenda items, Edwards wants to reduce the list of careers requiring state occupational licenses, add new protections against elderly abuse, rewrite teacher tenure laws and prohibit schools from punishing students who owe lunch money. He’ll again push to boost Louisiana’s minimum wage and enact an equal pay law, proposals that have repeatedly failed to gain legislative support.
Lawmakers in the majority-GOP House and Senate will consider whether to strengthen laws against hazing, after the recent death of an LSU student. Keying in on national debates, lawmakers will decide if they want to enact a uniform sexual harassment prevention policy for all state agencies.
Republicans and Democrats differ in their response to the Florida school shooting that killed 17 people, with Democrats seeking new gun restrictions and GOP lawmakers proposing to allow concealed handguns and armed teachers inside schools. One lawmaker wants students to be able to wear bullet-proof backpacks.
Edwards dodged taking a position on the gun measures. He referenced a “national conversation happening” and urged lawmakers to “drown out the political noise” and bring in varied voices for the debate.
“Our priority is public safety for our children, and I know that we can have a constructive dialogue here in Louisiana over the course of this session and advance this cause,” the governor said.
The regular session is expected to end ahead of its June 4 deadline.
Edwards, Senate President John Alario and House Speaker Taylor Barras are working on a plan to finish 10 to 20 days early. That would allow for a second special session to be held on taxes, in order to keep the entire budget gap from being closed with cuts.
They’ve questioned whether a budget proposing deep reductions can even win passage in the regular session.
80-year-old New Orleans IT company merges with Metairie firm
By: CityBusiness staff reports February 15, 2018 0
Amann Business Systems, a company that began selling and serving typewriters in New Orleans in 1937, has merged with Metairie-based IT firm Restech Information Services.
Terms of the deal were not announced. Restech officials said it would allow the company to support more local businesses with their technology.
Amann, which has transitioned into a computer sales and repair shop into a full-service IT firm, started looking last year to expand its offerings, according to a news release.
The merger was completed in January.
“With Restech’s expanded capabilities, experience in cybersecurity and other expertise, Restech seemed like the perfect fit for the customers we serve,” said George Amann, whose grandparents started the company.
Restech, a 25-year-old company, provides IT strategy and services that focus on cybersecurity, data management and business continuity solutions that range from small to enterprise technology solution
Grocery, retail delivery service expanding into New Orleans area
By: CityBusiness Guest Perspective February 28, 2018 0
Instacart, a San Francisco-based retail delivery service founded in 2012, says it’s expanding into the New Orleans area in March.
The company has partnered with Rouses Markets, Costco and Petco to deliver supplies “straight to (residents’) doors in a little as one hour,” a news release said. The service launches March 8.
The company says there was a big demand to expand into the area. They’ll be serving the city as well as Metairie and areas on the North Shore and West Bank, St. Charles Parish and St. Bernard Parish.
Instacart plans to hire more than 100 shoppers to deliver in the metro area.
The platform drives customers online or to its app to select their city and store, add items to virtual cart, choose a delivery time and check out. For orders of $35 or more, the delivery fee is $5.99.
In race for Jefferson Parish Sheriff, voters will decide whose experience matters most
The election is March 24. Early voting begins Saturday (March 10).