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• Senate committee takes up immigration bill

  May 9, 2013 7:42 AM

  WASHINGTON - A bill to remake the nation's immigration system for the first time in decades faces its first congressional test Thursday. The Senate Judiciary Committee is taking up the 844-page legislation to secure the border, provide new avenues for workers to come to the U.S. legally, crack down... more »

• Senators discuss changing background checks bill

  May 8, 2013 7:28 AM

  WASHINGTON - Lawmakers backing gun control say they are discussing how to revise the defeated Senate background check bill in order to win votes they need to resuscitate the measure. Among the changes they said they are considering are limiting the background check fees buyers pay at gun shows,... more »

• Democrats bring gun control bill to Senate floor

  April 8, 2013 5:03 PM

  WASHINGTON - Democrats have brought gun control legislation to the Senate floor amid a threat from conservative Republican senators to use delaying tactics to prevent formal debate from even beginning. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took the first procedural step to begin debate on Monday. He said Republicans owed relatives... more »

• Conn. lawmakers pass wide-ranging gun control law

  April 4, 2013 8:16 AM

  HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut lawmakers have approved wide-ranging legislation in response to last year's deadly school shooting in Newtown, and the governor plans to sign it today. The bill includes gun control measures that ban the sales of large-capacity ammunition magazines and more than 100 weapons that previously were legal.... 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 »

• House passes bill to defuse debt crisis

  January 23, 2013 12:29 PM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has passed a bill to permit the government to borrow enough money to avoid a first avoid default for at least four months, defusing a crisis looming next month and setting the stage for a springtime debate over taxes, spending and the deficit. The House... more »

• Bryant: Miss. should resist federal limits on guns

  January 16, 2013 11:09 AM

  JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said Wednesday that he wants the state to resist any presidential order that might restrict gun rights. Republican Bryant made the call shortly before President Barack Obama issued 23 executive orders designed to curb gun violence. "I am asking that you immediately pass... more »

• New York about to pass tough gun law

  January 15, 2013 10:38 AM

  ALBANY, N.Y. - Legislation that would give New York state the toughest gun restrictions in the nation is expected to easily pass today in the state Assembly. It's already won approval in the state Senate, where the Republican leader says it is "well-balanced" and "protects the Second Amendment." It provides... more »

• Biden to meet with gun-safety, victims groups

  January 9, 2013 7:27 AM

  WASHINGTON - Vice President Joe Biden will meet at the White House today with victims groups and gun-safety organizations, as the administration seeks to spur action on gun legislation. Biden is holding a series of meetings this week aimed at building consensus around proposals to curb gun violence after... more »

• Senate committee approves email privacy bill

  November 29, 2012 10:46 AM

  WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved legislation that would require police to obtain a search warrant from a judge before they can review a person's emails or other electronic communications. The bill moves to the full Senate for its next vote. It makes it slightly more difficult for... more »

• Safety bill won't track counterfiet prescription drugs

  June 19, 2012 8:12 PM

  Congress is poised to pass a bill to beef up the safety of U.S. prescription drugs but without a tracking system that public health advocates say is critical to weeding out counterfeits. The House and Senate agreed late Monday to legislation that helps supplement the FDA's budget after previously passing... more »

• Penn State sex-abuse charges inspire new La. laws

  June 9, 2012 11:08 AM

  BATON ROUGE- A sexual abuse scandal that rocked Pennsylvania State University has resulted in new laws in Louisiana to penalize those who fail to report allegations of child sex abuse and to protect those who do. Lawmakers say the measures were inspired by the Penn State scandal that rocked the... more »

• House approves school funding plans

  June 4, 2012 11:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The House passed a bill regarding school funding plans. They approved the $3.4 billion elementary and secondary education funding formula. Senators previously agreed in a 24-15 vote to approve the BESE-crafted plan without any changes. Some have complained the state Board of Elementary and Secondary... more »

• Obama signs Ex-Im Bank bill into law

  May 30, 2012 11:39 AM

  WASHINGTON- President Barack Obama has signed legislation that renews the charter of the Export-Import Bank for three years and increases the bank?s lending cap to $140 billion from the current $100 billion. The bank is the government?s vehicle for promoting U.S. export sales. Obama says the move will help thousands... more »

• Lawmakers address lead hazards with legislation

  May 29, 2012 8:10 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Three bills focused on identifying lead contamination in playgrounds, day care centers and schools have been making their way through the Legislature following studies that found hazardous lead levels in several New Orleans parks. The proposals, near final passage, would require new day cares, preschools and certain... 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 »

• Plans for new EBR school district altered

  April 13, 2012 10:06 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Legislation that would create a breakaway school district in Southeast East Baton Rouge Parish advanced out of committee, but not before changes were made to the boundary lines. Senator Bodi White, R- Central, says he started working with members of the public last fall to create the... more »

• Teachers at Capitol rallying against education reform Play Video

  April 4, 2012 8:46 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Teachers from across the state are gathered on the Capitol steps Wednesday to rally against Gov. Bobby Jindal's education reform plan. The full senate will debate and possibly vote on the state-wide voucher program and teacher tenure. Thousands of teachers are expected to gather on... 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 »

• Gov. Jindal announces legislation to crack down on crime

  March 1, 2012 3:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor Bobby Jindal has announced legislative initiatives to help crack down on crime and increase public safety for Louisiana families. The Governor's crime package focuses on three areas including increasing penalties for street gangs, continuing to crack down on sex offenders and enhancing penalties for human... more »

• Jindal to announce proposed crime legislation

  March 1, 2012 11:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Gov. Bobby Jindal will release his proposed crime legislation today. He will unveil his plan at 2:30 p.m. at the Governor's Mansion. News 2 will have more at 4, 5 and 6. more »

• Bill allows jurors to take notes in criminal trial

  February 22, 2012 11:09 AM

  BATON ROUGE- District attorneys say they are concerned about a proposal by a New Orleans state senator that would allow jurors in criminal trials to take notes during testimony. Democratic Sen. Ed Murray says jurors should be able to jot down testimony and make notes on legal arguments during murder... more »

• House votes to raise debt limit, cut spending

  August 1, 2011 6:35 PM

  WASHINGTON - The House has passed legislation designed to keep the government from defaulting on its debts. The measure also sets a course for reducing the federal deficit in the future. The Senate, where support is stronger, is expected to take up the bill on Tuesday, the deadline for... more »

• Federal decision due on La. congressional remap

  August 1, 2011 3:13 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Today is the deadline for the U.S. Department of Justice to decide whether to clear Louisiana's new maps for congressional districts, which lawmakers drew in a special legislative session earlier this year. The plan will shrink the number of Louisiana congressional districts from seven to six, starting with... more »

• House approves GOP bill extending debt limit

  July 29, 2011 5:39 PM

  WASHINGTON - Republicans have muscled legislation to extend the government's borrowing authority and cutting spending through the House over solid Democratic opposition. The 218-210 vote sets up a confrontation with the Democratic-controlled Senate and President Barack Obama, who say the GOP-written measure will die in the Senate. They say... more »

• Failed abortion bills likely to return

  June 27, 2011 2:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Most legislation pushed by abortion opponents failed to pass during the Legislature's just-completed session, but abortion supporters expect similar bills to pop up next year. The Legislature did approve a bill setting up a website with information on abortion alternatives and requiring that abortion clinics post... more »

• Senate approves transfer of UNO to UL system

  June 10, 2011 4:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The state Senate has approved a bill transferring the University of New Orleans from the Louisiana State University System into a different college system that focuses more on regional universities. Thursday's vote was 35-to-zero in favor of putting UNO into the University of Louisiana System. It's not the... more »

• La. House votes to renew 4-cent cigarette tax

  May 25, 2011 2:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE- Despite a veto threat from the governor, the Louisiana House has backed the renewal of a 4-cent state cigarette tax. The tax is set to expire in 2012. The House agreed in a bipartisan 70-30 vote Tuesday to continue the tax, giving it the minimum two-thirds vote it... more »

• Bills targeting traffic cameras in La. stalled

  May 19, 2011 3:22 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Legislation to resolve New Orleans area lawmakers' complaints about automated traffic cameras in Louisiana have stalled, even as a city proposal moves forward. A Senate committee Thursday rejected a bill by Sen. Danny Martiny, R-Kenner, to bar traffic cameras from generating speeding tickets at all. Meanwhile,... more »

• Teen pressing for repeal of La. Science Education Act

  April 22, 2011 6:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE - One Baton Rouge Magnet High School student is leading the charge in changing what can be taught in Louisiana high school classrooms. Zack Kopplin supports Senate Bill 70 which repeals a 2008 law that allows teachers to add supplemental lesson plans that can include other theories... more »

• Senate blocks repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

  December 9, 2010 3:20 PM

  WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would have repealed the military's policy of "don't ask, don't tell" and allowed gay troops to serve openly. Democrats failed Thursday to cinch a procedural deal with Republicans in the waning days of the lame-duck session. The 57-40 test vote fell three... more »

• Legislation proposed for sticker on drug offenders' licenses

  April 7, 2010 10:24 AM

  Louisiana State Police have backed a plan that would require drug offenders to have special makers on their driver's license. Troopers say it could make traffic stops safer. Some state lawmakers agree and say flagging the license would give law enforcement a "heads up" on the type of individual they're... more »

• Katrina and Rita funding flowing faster?

  March 24, 2010 12:10 PM

  The picture you are looking at is the location for the new police station in Gonzales. Tonight on News 2 at 6pm I'll tell you how recovery money from Katrina and Rita may be available faster for projects like this through new legislation. I'll be posting updates throught... more »

• Obama signs $938 billion health overhaul

  March 23, 2010 11:15 AM

  President Barack Obama has signed the $938 billion health care overhaul that guarantees coverage for 32 million uninsured Americans and represents the biggest accomplishment of his presidency. The new law will be the main issue in this fall's midterm elections. Obama signed the bill at an elaborate ceremony Tuesday... more »

• Obama to sign health care bill

  March 23, 2010 5:24 AM

  President Barack Obama will surround himself with aides, Cabinet members and Democratic leaders as he signs the health care bill into law. But he'll have more work to do after signing the legislation into law. Obama plans to make trips around the country, starting with Iowa Thursday, to try to... more »

• Speed vans, red light cameras targeted again

  March 9, 2010 1:48 PM

  State Rep. Jeff Arnold of New Orleans plans to go after red light cameras and speed vans during the upcoming legislative session. He tried to outlaw the devices last year, but was unsuccessful. Arnold told News 2 Tuesday he believes automated traffic enforcement is only a money maker for... more »

• Panel favors 3 years for 4th-DWI offense

  February 23, 2010 8:02 AM

  The minimum jail time for third- and fourth-offense drunken drivers would rise significantly under a plan endorsed by Gov. Bobby Jindal's DWI task force. Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John F. DeRosier says third-time offenders would have to spend one year behind bars. The current minimum is 45 days. He says... more »

• Jindal addresses education cuts

  January 19, 2010 4:46 PM

  Governor Bobby Jindal says money for education will be restored once the economy bounces back. When that happens, the governor says he wants more accountability. "It's not just the amount of money we give, it's the results we demand," said Governor Jindal. "For years we've been increasing the funding, but... more »

• Health care bill clears key Senate test

  December 21, 2009 4:54 AM

  Landmark health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama has passed its sternest Senate test, overcoming Republican delaying tactics on a 60-40 vote that all but assures its passage by Christmas. The bill would extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who now lack it, while banning insurance company... more »

• Medicaid money threatened

  December 3, 2009 11:43 AM

  Millions of dollars in Medicaid money for Louisiana may be removed from health care reform legislation in the Senate. Senator Tom Coburn, of Oklahoma, introduced an amendment Wednesday to strip a provision in the bill that would send $100 million to Louisiana. Critics say the money was included in the... more »