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• House passes bill on lying about military medals

  May 20, 2013 6:37 PM

  WASHINGTON - The House has passed a bill making it a crime for people to falsely claim they have received a military medal in order to obtain money or government benefits. Under the legislation, which passed overwhelmingly and now goes to the Senate, offenders could face up to a year... more »

• Toughened school safety bill wins final passage

  May 16, 2013 1:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Public schools, already required to have written crisis management plans, will now have to coordinate those plans with local law enforcement and emergency preparedness officials - and hold annual safety drills to rehearse them. The bill rewriting Louisiana's school safety law received final passage Thursday with a... more »

• Community college construction bill nears passage

  May 14, 2013 1:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana higher education leaders are at odds over a proposal to let the community college system tap into construction dollars outside of the traditional budget process. The community colleges are winning the legislative battle so far. A bill allowing the community college system to sidestep the regular... more »

• House lawmakers shelve Citizens rate review bill

  May 14, 2013 12:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the House have rejected a proposal seeking legislative review of large rate hikes for customers of Louisiana's property insurer of last resort. The House Insurance Committee scrapped the idea Tuesday in a 9-4 vote against the bill by St. Mary Parish Sen. Bret Allain. The... more »

• Breakaway school district bill before committee

  May 14, 2013 10:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Supporters of a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge gathered at the Capitol today for a committee hearing over the bills to create it. The House Education Committee scheduled a hearing for the two bills this morning. Both were approved in the Senate last week.... more »

• Law seeks clarity for surrogate contracts, rights Play Video

  May 13, 2013 6:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Surrogacy, an intense and challenging process, is currently up for debate in the Louisiana Legislature. Senate Bill 162 would make clear contracts for gestational surrogacy, which is when another woman carries and delivers a baby after being impregnated by a previously created embryo. The surrogate... more »

• Coalition on immigration bill clears first tests

  May 9, 2013 4:04 PM

  WASHINGTON - The bipartisan group of senators supporting a plan to overhaul immigration laws has been sticking together today, amid a critical series of early test votes. The coalition turned back challenges from conservative critics as the Senate Judiciary Committee worked to refine the legislation. It would secure the nation's... more »

• House committee approves fee increase bill for LSU

  May 8, 2013 2:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE- LSU students could see a $60 a year fee increase this fall, thanks to an approval from the House Education Committee. That fee could top out at $300 a year by the fall of 2017. Baton Rouge Rep. Franklin Foil, sponsor of the fee bill, said the money... more »

• Some hospital bills vastly higher for similar care Play Video

  May 8, 2013 12:39 PM

  WASHINGTON - The government is shedding light on the mystery of just how high a hospital bill might go - and whether it's cheaper to get that care across town. The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday listed thousands of hospitals' charges for 100 common Medicare services. There... more »

• Senators back bill blocking federal gun regulation

  May 7, 2013 2:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- It took a Senate panel less than five minutes to approve a bill prohibiting the enforcement of federal laws in Louisiana regarding ownership of semi-automatic weapons. The Senate judiciary committee took a bit longer to approve a separate bill that would criminalize the release and publication of names... more »

• Decimal error means customers charged 10x more

  May 6, 2013 5:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE- ATMOS customers who are enrolled in automatic drafts or bill pay may have noticed extremely high bills recently. A company spokesperson said a vendor, hired to collect monthly bills from customers, accidentally misplaced a decimal and drafted up to ten times more than what should have been... more »

• Bill to reduce film tax credits pulled

  May 6, 2013 12:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The author of a bill which sought to cut lucrative tax credits for film companies in half pulled the bill today before it could be discussed at a legislative committee. Rep. Ted James (D-Baton Rouge) deferred the bill without testimony, saying he wanted to discuss the... more »

• Bill allowing colleges to set their own tuition passes in committee

  April 30, 2013 2:33 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Two bills that would take lawmakers out of setting college tuition rates has advanced in the Louisiana House. The House Education Committee approved a bill that would allow boards for the state's four public college systems to increase tuition and fee amounts under a policy that would be... more »

• Committee backs social media privacy bill Play Video

  April 22, 2013 11:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A bill that would ban employers and school officials from requesting personal online login and passwords of employees or students is working its way through Louisiana legislature. State House Representative Ted James introduced the bill that passed the House Commerce Committee Monday. It will next be considered... more »

• Bill banning so-called "tele-medicine abortions" approved

  April 17, 2013 2:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Anti-abortion advocates are pushing to add new restrictions for the procedure in Louisiana, banning doctors from remotely administering the abortion pill via a video hookup. A proposal barring the practice they call "telemedicine abortions" or "web cam abortions" received the backing of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee... more »

• Senators wrap up work on immigration bill

  April 11, 2013 3:06 PM

  WASHINGTON - Four Democratic and four Republican senators have reached agreement on all the major elements of sweeping legislation to remake the nation's immigration laws, and expect to unveil the bill next week. Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois says the bill probably will be rolled out on Tuesday. After... more »

• Gun control bill clears first hurdle in Senate

  April 11, 2013 10:42 AM

  WASHINGTON - Gun control supporters have won the first Senate showdown over restricting firearms, rejecting an effort by conservatives to derail a package of gun curbs before debate could even begin. The 68-31 vote gave an initial burst of momentum to efforts by President Barack Obama and lawmakers, mostly Democrats,... more »

• Bill would ban social media posts while driving

  April 10, 2013 2:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Hold that Twitter thought. If you are driving, a proposed state law would make it illegal for you to post status updates or anything else to social media websites. The Senate transportation committee has approved a measure that would add accessing, reading and posting to social media sites,... more »

• Debate on immigration to get under way

  April 8, 2013 7:37 AM

  WASHINGTON - Senators writing a comprehensive immigration bill hope to finish their work this week. Their plan is sure to open a raucous public debate over measures to secure the border, allow tens of thousands of foreign workers into the country and grant eventual citizenship to the estimated 11... more »

• Obama signs bill to avoid government shutdown

  March 26, 2013 3:16 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed a stopgap spending bill to keep the government running through the end of September. The measure leaves in place $85 billion in automatic budget cuts known as the sequester. But it takes steps to ease the impact of the cuts to food inspection... more »

• UConn opposing bill to regulate scholarships

  March 20, 2013 10:45 AM

  HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would require the University of Connecticut to continue paying for the education of athletes who lose their scholarships due to injury, illness or even a coach's decision. The bill is now before the legislature's Higher Education committee and is modeled... more »

• Assault weapons ban won't be in Dems' gun bill

  March 19, 2013 12:52 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate's top Democrat says he wants to bring a gun bill to the Senate with enough support to overcome any Republican efforts to block debate. And Harry Reid says that meant leaving out a proposed assault weapons ban. Reid says even using "the most optimistic numbers," there... more »

• Bills call for dredging Miss. River to Baton Rouge

  March 14, 2013 4:11 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond want the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the Mississippi River deep enough so it can handle the huge cargo ships expected to use the Panama Canal once its expansion is completed next year. The Louisiana Democrats submitted... more »

• Rep. Boustany introduces welfare drug testing bill Play Video

  March 13, 2013 6:46 PM

  WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Louisiana congressman introduced a bill recently which would require welfare recipients to be tested for drugs. Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA) of Lafayette introduced the measure, likening it today to requirements by private employers to test their workers for controlled substances. Rachel Fontenot, a nurse... more »

• Senate panel OKs Dems gun background check bill

  March 12, 2013 10:38 AM

  WASHINGTON - A divided Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday narrowly approved a Democratic bill expanding required federal background checks for nearly all gun purchases, but put off immediate consideration of an assault weapons ban. The panel approved the measure by 10-8, supported by all Democrats and opposed by every Republican.... more »

• Senate Democrats prepare government funding bill

  March 11, 2013 4:15 PM

  WASHINGTON - Senate Democrats are preparing a catchall government funding bill that denies President Barack Obama money for implementing signature first-term accomplishments like new regulations on Wall Street and his expansion of government health care subsidies but provides modest additional funding for domestic priorities like health research. The measure is... more »

• Committee votes to block gun information

  February 26, 2013 11:28 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - A Mississippi Senate committee approved a bill that would make it difficult to get information on weapon permits, including concealed carry permits. The bill would exclude the permit information from the state public records act. A court order would be required to obtain the data. A representative... more »

• State lawmaker starts new fight against red light cameras Play Video

  February 21, 2013 5:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State Representative Paul Hollis (R-Covington) says if you live in an area that does not use red light cameras, you should not have to pay fines. He has filed a bill for the upcoming session to make it law. Hollis says drivers with a car registered... more »

• Senate passes bill to improve embassy security

  February 5, 2013 6:59 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has approved legislation that would allow the State Department to transfer up to $1.1 billion to improve security at U.S. embassies in the wake of the deadly assault last year at the U.S. Consulate in Libya that killed four Americans. The measure now heads to the... more »

• Obama signs $50.5B Superstorm Sandy aid bill

  January 29, 2013 8:01 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed into law a $50.5 billion emergency measure for Superstorm Sandy victims. Congress gave the measure its final approval late Monday. Obama signed it Tuesday night, minutes after returning to the White House from a visit to Nevada. It took Congress three months after... more »

• Obama says he'll sign $50.5B Sandy aid bill soon

  January 29, 2013 2:43 AM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he'll sign a $50.5 billion emergency measure for Superstorm Sandy victims as soon as it lands on his desk. Obama chided lawmakers for taking their time to approve the funding even as he commended them for providing the long-awaited aid. Conservatives concerned about adding... more »

• Bill filed in Miss. seeks to nullify federal laws

  January 25, 2013 6:17 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - In a state that defied the union during the Civil War and Civil Rights era, two lawmakers want Mississippi to block some current and future federal laws. Republican state Reps. Gary Chism and Jeff Smith have filed a bill to form the Joint Legislative Committee on... more »

• Senate sets Monday vote on $50.5B Sandy aid bill

  January 25, 2013 5:17 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate is set to vote Monday on a $50.5 billion emergency relief bill to help victims of Superstorm Sandy. Northeast lawmakers from both parties hope to win Senate approval of the measure and send it to President Barack Obama, who has said he would sign it.... more »

• Miss. House OKs charter school bill early Thursday

  January 24, 2013 2:36 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi House members are giving approval to a bill to expand charter schools in the state. It took until nearly 1 a.m. Thursday morning, but House members voted 64-55 to pass House Bill 369. Supporters of the bill say the long debate was worth a measure they... more »

• Clinton, Carter join Obama inaugural gathering

  January 21, 2013 10:31 AM

  WASHINGTON - Former presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter joined lawmakers and other dignitaries at the Capitol for President Barack Obama's ceremonial swearing-in Monday to a second term. The two men are the only living Democrats who have occupied the White House. Clinton was accompanied by his wife, Secretary of... more »

• Stormy issue of Sandy aid settles down in House

  January 16, 2013 4:37 AM

  WASHINGTON - The political tempest stirred up by Superstorm Sandy appears to have moved on after wreaking havoc among House Republicans divided over how much aid to allocate to the victims of the storm. In a 241-180 vote Tuesday night, the House approved $50.5 billion in disaster relief for... more »

• Farm bill extension is evidence of lost clout

  January 3, 2013 5:13 PM

  WASHINGTON - A patchwork extension of federal farm programs passed as part of a larger "fiscal cliff" bill keeps the price of milk from rising but doesn't include many of the goodies that farm-state lawmakers are used to getting for their rural districts. House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders who... more »

• Dems want House vote on Senate-passed 'cliff' deal

  January 1, 2013 2:42 PM

  WASHINGTON - House Democratic leaders are pressing Speaker John Boehner to let the House vote on the Senate-approved bipartisan compromise that would avert much of the impact of the so-called fiscal cliff. Following a nearly three-hour private meeting Tuesday between Vice President Joe Biden and House Democratic lawmakers, Minority Leader... more »

• GOP leader Cantor opposes Senate 'cliff' bill

  January 1, 2013 2:39 PM

  WASHINGTON - The No. 2 Republican in the House leadership says he opposes a Senate-passed measure to avert the so-called fiscal cliff. Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor told reporters after a two-hour closed-door meeting Tuesday with his GOP lawmakers that he did not support the bill. He said House leaders were... more »

• Congress completes $633B defense bill

  December 21, 2012 2:41 PM

  WASHINGTON- Congress has completed a $633 billion defense bill for next year and is sending it to President Barack Obama. The Senate voted 81-14 for the sweeping policy measure. The White House has threatened a veto, but it remains unclear whether the president would reject the legislation. The bill covers... more »

• Senate passes $631 billion defense bill

  December 4, 2012 4:51 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has voted for a sweeping, $631 billion defense bill that calls for accelerating the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan and tightens sanctions on Iran. The vote was 98-0. The legislation would authorize money for weapons, aircraft and ships and provide a 1.7 percent pay raise... more »

• Sandy cost NY, NYC $42B in damage, loss

  November 26, 2012 1:18 PM

  ALBANY, N.Y. - Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Superstorm Sandy ran up a $42 billion bill on New York and the state and New York City will make big requests for disaster aid from the federal government. The cost includes $32 billion for repairs and restoration, but also includes an additional... more »

• State bills Texas Brine $3.5M for sinkhole costs

  November 9, 2012 5:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state has sent a $3.5 million bill to the Texas company it blames for a massive sinkhole that has swallowed more than 5 acres of land in Assumption Parish and contaminated an aquifer. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sent a letter this week to lawyers for Texas... more »

• Obama backs bill to exempt taxes on Olympians

  August 6, 2012 12:22 PM

  WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama supports a measure that would exempt U.S. Olympians from taxes on their prizes. Press secretary Jay Carney said Monday that Obama would do "everything we can to support our athletes," including signing into law legislation introduced by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio... more »

• Senate OKs Dem tax-cut bill in showdown with GOP

  July 25, 2012 4:18 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has voted to approve a Democratic bill renewing tax cuts next year for all but the highest-earning Americans. The partisan 51-48 vote was a victory for Democrats and averted what would have been a campaign-season embarrassment for them and the White House. The bill closely follows... more »

• Mayor, state agree on deal for road bill; decide to switch road responsibilities

  July 23, 2012 9:55 PM

  WALKER- The mayor and DOTD have worked out a deal over a $1.3 million bill for roadwork. The money is owed to the state after a project in the 90's. The agreed-upon plan calls for DOTD to transfer a portion of a state road to Walker. Walker will... more »

• City gives mayor power to strike deal on huge road bill

  July 17, 2012 9:37 PM

  WALKER- City leaders gave the mayor approval to make a deal with DOTD about a $1.3 million bill. It's outstanding from roadwork on LA Hwy 447 in 1998. The city could owe as much as $130,000/year for the next ten years. There was a meeting set to negotiate... more »

• Senate rejects Democrats' business tax cut bill

  July 12, 2012 2:22 PM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate has rejected a Democratic bill providing tax breaks to companies that enlarge their payrolls or make major purchases or plant improvements. The vote was 53-44, seven short of the 60 votes required to overcome GOP procedural hurdles. The roll call came after senators voted 73-24 against... more »

• Democrats, Republicans face off over tax proposals in the Senate

  July 10, 2012 1:39 PM

  WASHINGTON - The tax fight isn't just playing out on the campaign trail today -- it's also taking center stage in the Senate, where leaders of both parties are belittling each other's tax-cutting plans. Democrats today are trying to advance legislation that would lower taxes for companies that hire new... more »

• Obama signs student loan, road-building bill

  July 6, 2012 5:52 PM

  WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says a bill to keep construction workers on the job and prevent a spike in interest rates on new loans to college students "will make a real difference" for millions of Americans. Obama signed into law legislation allowing more than $100 billion to be spent... more »

• Student loan, roads bill poised for final passage

  June 28, 2012 7:29 AM

  WASHINGTON - Congressional leaders are hoping for final passage this week of a bill reshaping federal transportation programs and averting a doubling of interest rates for millions of federal student loans. Lawmakers and aides said House and Senate leaders had reached agreement on the measure. Without action by the... more »

• House approves GOP bill repealing medical tax

  June 7, 2012 4:49 PM

  WASHINGTON - The House has shrugged off a veto threat and passed legislation repealing a tax on companies that produce many medical devices sold in the United States. Lawmakers approved the measure 270-146. Majority Republicans won support from three-dozen Democrats representing states where medical equipment makers have a heavy presence... more »

• Conservative group asks for video poker bill veto

  June 5, 2012 4:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The conservative Louisiana Family Forum is asking Gov. Bobby Jindal to veto three bills that tweak the state's video poker laws. In a letter sent to the governor, Family Forum leader Gene Mills says the changes would deregulate video poker. One measure, sponsored by Republican Sen. Danny... more »

• Bill that drug tests welfare recipients stalls

  May 29, 2012 6:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Legislation requiring that some welfare recipients submit to random drug tests stalled in a Senate committee after members left the meeting before a vote could be taken. The House-passed bill by Rep. Sherman Mack, R-Livingston, would require that 20 percent of adults receiving aid from the Family... more »

• Bill to limit gun restrictions heads to La. voters

  May 29, 2012 5:42 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana voters will decide whether to toughen the state's constitutional protections for weapon owners. The proposal by Republican Sen. Neil Riser would strike a provision that gives the Legislature explicit authority to limit concealed handguns. The Senate gave final passage to the measure Tuesday with a 34-4... more »

• House backs bill to limit gun restrictions in La.

  May 24, 2012 5:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana House has agreed to rewrite the state's constitutional protections for weapon owners, striking a provision that gives the Legislature explicit authority to limit concealed handguns. Supporters say the change would give Louisiana the strongest gun protection in the nation and could guard against Supreme Court... more »

• School district bill heading back to Senate Play Video

  May 24, 2012 3:28 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A bill to create a breakaway school district is headed for another round with lawmakers after the state House added an amedment today. The House passed the amended version of the bill which would create a breakaway school district in southeast Baton Rouge, between the I-10... more »

• State worker retirement contributions could change

  May 23, 2012 5:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Another key component of Governor Bobby Jindal's pension reform package advanced at the Capitol today. Senate Bill 52 by Senator Elbert Guillory, D- Opelousas, could require state workers to contribute more towards their retirement plan. About 47,000 workers could be affected. The list does not include K-12... more »

• Bill banning abortion after 20 weeks passes Senate

  May 22, 2012 4:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A bill prohibiting doctors from performing abortions 20 weeks after fertilization by declaring the fetus can feel pain has passed the Senate without opposition. The measure by Senate President John Alario declares that the state should protect "the lives of unborn children from the stage at which... more »

• Lawmaker intimidation bill scrapped by author

  May 22, 2012 2:30 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A proposal to set up a formal House process for disciplining people who attempt to intimidate lawmakers was shelved Tuesday for the legislative session. Rep. Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, said he offered the legislation after being threatened for his position in a dispute between the oil and... more »

• Conservative lawmakers fail to block budget bill

  May 17, 2012 3:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A bloc of conservative Republicans in the House couldn't stall a budget bill that taps into one-time dollars to help piece together spending plans year after year. The House voted 63-38 Thursday to send the bill to the Senate, raising questions about whether the coalition was fracturing... more »

• La. lawmakers at odds over how to ban bullying

  May 16, 2012 3:31 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's lawmakers disagree over how to craft a new ban on bullying at public schools. Two different proposals advanced Wednesday in the House, one by Baton Rouge Rep. Patricia Smith getting 71-16 backing on the House floor and another by Port Allen Sen. Rick Ward getting passage... more »

• Abortion bills advance through La. Legislature Play Video

  May 16, 2012 2:06 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Two bills focused on deterring pregnant women from getting abortions have been overwhelmingly approved by two legislative health committees. Sen. Sharon Weston Broome said Wednesday that her proposal gives women the opportunity to listen to a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed. The measure is... more »

• Bill to raise college tuition, fees stalls Play Video

  May 15, 2012 5:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A state lawmaker pulled a bill raising student fees before a committee could vote on it. The fees would have raised $107 million dollars. State Representative Chris Broadwater, R-Hammond, says the money would offset about $225 million in recent budget cuts. Some lawmakers say it... more »

• Bill to make female genital mutilation a crime

  May 14, 2012 3:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Female genital mutilation will be an outlawed crime in Louisiana. A bill by Rep. Nancy Landry, R-Lafayette, was sent to the governor's desk today with a 92-0 vote from the House. Landry said the practice is banned by 18 states and the federal government. ... more »

• Legislature passes document privacy bill

  May 14, 2012 3:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Department of Economic Development will be able to continue shielding records from public view, if the documents are involved in active negotiations to attract or keep companies to Louisiana. House Bill 208 by Rep. Erich Ponti, R-Baton Rouge, to extend the public records exemption indefinitely received... more »

• Anti-bullying legislation heads to Senate vote Play Video

  May 3, 2012 5:45 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Legislation to address bullying in Louisiana schools passed the Senate Education Committee today, despite objections about last-minute changes. The substitute bill was introduced by Senator Rick Ward, D-Port Allen, and replaced an earlier version he had presented. Ward said he began looking into the issue... more »

• Senators reject bill removing smoker protection

  April 26, 2012 3:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A bid to repeal a law that bans employers from discriminating against smokers has failed to win traction in the Legislature. The repeal, sought by hospitals and health care leaders, was narrowly rejected in a 3-2 vote by the Senate labor committee amid concerns it could lead to... more »

• Mandated sex education bill stalls in committee

  April 25, 2012 2:27 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The House Education Committee has deadlocked on a proposal to require Louisiana public schools to teach sex education. The bill by Democratic Rep. Patricia Smith, of Baton Rouge, would require the courses beginning with the 2013-14 school year. They would include teaching about abstinence, contraceptives and... more »

• Committee approves cell phone driving ban Play Video

  April 24, 2012 5:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A bill making cell phone use illegal while driving has advanced at the State Capitol. The only exception in the bill by Representative Austin Badon, D- New Orleans, is with the use of a hands-free device. Badon has offered and supported several bills over the years... more »

• House passes bill to give repeat offenders parole hearings Play Video

  April 19, 2012 6:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A bill to offer a chance at parole for some in state prisons received a lot of debate before being passed by the full Louisiana House today. The House voted 86-7 to send the bill to the Senate, after a long debate about just who would... more »

• Bill Conti to serve as keynote speaker for LSU commencement ceremony

  April 19, 2012 2:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Oscar and three-time Emmy Award winning composer Bill Conti, who is also a graduate of the LSU School of Music, will serve as keynote speaker for the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts' spring 2012 commencement exercises, scheduled for Friday, May 18, at noon in the... more »

• Jindal to sign voucher bill

  April 18, 2012 7:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A Catholic elementary school in Baton Rouge is the setting for Gov. Bobby Jindal as he signs legislation reshaping numerous aspects of public education in Louisiana, including a bill allowing the state to fund private school tuition for some students. Wednesday's bill signing ceremony takes place at... more »

• Bill to end LEAP, other tests fails in committee Play Video

  April 11, 2012 6:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers rejected a bill today that sought to end most standardized testing in Louisiana public schools. The House Education Committee voted 13 to 3 against the measure from Rep. Barbara Norton, D-Shreveport. Norton told the committee she authored the bill because she feels the tests... more »

• Autism specialists speak out against Senate bill Play Video

  April 4, 2012 5:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Senate committee deferred a bill today that would have toughened requirements for people who treat autism. The bill from Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, called for behavioral analysts to be regulated under a state board for psychologists. Analysts would also be required to have a... more »

• Senate approves tenure overhaul bill Play Video

  April 4, 2012 3:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Senate backed Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to get rid of the statewide teacher pay scale and to make it tougher for teachers to get the job protection known as tenure. The Senate passed HB 974 in a 23-16 vote and sent it back to... more »

• House panel supports bill to expand smoking ban

  April 4, 2012 11:16 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Smoking would be prohibited within 25 feet of the entrance to any building where smoking already is banned, under a proposal heading to the full House for debate. The House Health and Welfare Committee backed the bill by Republican Rep. Frank Hoffmann, of West Monroe, without objection Wednesday.... more »

• Legislation could require photo ID for card users Play Video

  April 3, 2012 5:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - You could be required to show a photo ID every time you use your debit or credit card if new legislation passes at the State Capitol. Rep. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, sponsored the bill to protect people in Louisiana from fraud. Right now, merchants are only... more »

• House committee rejects robocall bill Play Video

  April 3, 2012 11:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A House committee rejected a bill that would have forced political "robocalls" to follow the same rules as telemarketers. The House Commerce Committee voted 11-6 to reject the bill because of possible state lawsuits over the change. The bill sought to remove exemptions from automated... more »

• Bill to change red light camera tickets rejected Play Video

  April 2, 2012 6:41 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Senate committee rejected a bill today that would have banned collection agencies from collecting fines for traffic tickets that came from red light cameras. Sen. J. P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, authored the bill because he said municipalities could collect their own fees, and sending them... more »

• Bill would expand Florida Blvd.

  April 2, 2012 12:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A House committee is reviewing a transportation bill that would assess the feasibility of adding two lanes to Florida Boulevard (Highway 190.) Rep. Sherman Q. Mack is the primary author of the bill. An expanded highway would begin at the Tangipahoa Parish line and end at... more »

• Senate panel Oks Jindal education bills Play Video

  March 29, 2012 5:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Senate Education Committee has approved the two major pieces of Gov. Bobby Jindal's education agenda. One establishes a statewide private school voucher program and paves the way for easier creation of charter schools. Another overhauls the role of school boards, superintendents and principals in the hiring... more »

• Child sex abuse bill approved

  March 29, 2012 10:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The State Senate has approved a bill that would make it a crime to not report child sex abuse. The bill states any adult who sees child abuse would be required to report it, or face a felony charge with a prison sentence up to five years.... more »

• Bouncer bill introduced

  March 29, 2012 10:25 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana State Senator Gary Smith has introduced a bill that requires bouncers and security officers hired to work at bars to undergo special training to prevent the use of excessive force. The training would fall under the guidelines of the Responsible Vendor Program. Smith wrote in his... more »

• Animal sale bill passes in House Committee

  March 28, 2012 2:57 PM

  A bill that would make it illegal to sell dogs, cats and other animals along highways and other public areas has passed through a House Committee. The Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice voted 9-3 for the bill by Rep. Tony Ligi, of Metairie. In its amended... more »

• Bill increasing penalty for copper theft approved Play Video

  March 28, 2012 2:19 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A bill aimed at cutting down on copper theft was approved by the Louisiana House Criminal Justice committee. Someone convicted of stealing copper could be fined based on the value of the metal, the cost of replacement and the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property. more »

• Jindal education bills up for House debate Play Video

  March 22, 2012 6:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Debate in the House on Gov. Bobby Jindal's education bills bogged down for a while in argument over how a voucher program would affect voter-approved taxes in local school districts. The bill makes taxpayer money available to students who want to transfer to private schools from poorly... more »

• Senate panel approves tenure bill

  March 15, 2012 2:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A Senate committee has voted 6-1 for a bill linking teacher job security to objective performance measures. The bill also eliminates seniority protections for teachers when school systems are forced to lay off personnel. Thursday's vote was the latest legislative victory for Gov. Bobby Jindal, who... more »

• Teachers rally on Capitol steps

  March 14, 2012 7:44 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Teachers at the Louisiana State Capitol are rallying today against Governor Jindal's education reform bill. Three of the bills that make up most of Jindal's education agenda will be heard for the first time in the House Education Committee at 8:30 a.m. Governor Jindal is... more »

• Gay marriage bill signed

  March 1, 2012 4:38 PM

  ANNAPOLIS, MD. - Maryland's governor has signed a bill legalizing gay marriage, joining seven other states and the District of Columbia. Governor Martin O'Malley signed the bill today one week after its final passage by the Maryland Legislature. The law is scheduled to take effect in January 2013.... more »

• Bill would ban red light cameras without public approval Play Video

  February 29, 2012 5:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Senator Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, says you should decide whether red light cameras are right for your community. His bill would ban automated traffic camera systems unless they are approved by the public. Martiny says the cameras violate a driver's rights because you are guilty until... more »

• Bill would tighten regulations regarding red light cameras

  February 29, 2012 10:57 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A state lawmaker says red light cameras and speed cameras are a ripoff, and the public should help decide if the automated systems should be used on a local level. Senator Danny Martiny, R- Kenner, prefiled a bill which bans local governments from imposing fines for tickets... more »

• Bill would limit former lawmakers from taking state jobs Play Video

  February 27, 2012 5:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A bill prefiled for the upcoming Louisiana Legislative session would block former lawmakers from taking state jobs for at least two years after they leave office. Representative Dee Richard, I-Thibodaux, says recent political appointments by the governor and others are part of the "good ol' boy network."... more »

• Old bill turns into a Donation

  February 23, 2012 7:21 PM

  A businessman in Chicago insisted on paying a bill that was 25 years overdue and that gesture turned into a donation to a health care group. Zee Enix once ran a home furnishings business in Murray, Kentucky and he got a call from the man who wanted to pay a... more »