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The Advocate Legislative Coverage for May 1, 2013

Wednesday at the Legislature

House rejects amendment crucial to getting budget approved

Safe Haven bill advances

Mardi Gras event reviewed

Bill would allow special ed students to skip ACT

House committee rejects governor records bill

Gun permit secrecy bill advances

Medicaid expansion bill clears Senate committee

Smoking ban bill advances

Riding dogs bill passes House

Credit card measure falls one vote short

Bilingual signs win House approval

Saints coach visits Legislature

Bill would remove retirement age

Two panels, two bills on tuition

Rally protests Jindal stands

Bill to allow vote defeated

NOPD bill changed in committee

The Times-Picayune

Medicaid expansion bill clears La. Senate health committee

Legislative committee declines to buck Jindal on public records access

Watchdog urges lawmakers to bring N.O. firefighters' pension under local control

Louisiana House passes bill to bar unrestrained dogs in pickup trucks on interstate

House reverses $490M cut in state budget, multiple factions now in talks...

La universities one step closer to gaining tuition-setting power...

State Police troopers who tackled teens in French Quarter are let off easy...

Louisiana House passes bill stripping St. Tammany Coroner of budgetary powers

Rules for NOPD off-duty details codified under bill moving through Legislature

Lawmakers OK bills to allow some students to skip college testing

House health panel approves bill to ban smoking near state-owned buildings

BP's $340M La restoration payment draws comments from environmental groups...

State allocates BP oil leak funding

Louisiana 'shattered' tourism records in 2012, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne says

Opinion/Editorials

Our Views: Pork barrel dollars scarce

Lawmakers are OK with guns everywhere but the Capitol: James Gill

Should gun owners be able to carry weapons into restaurants that serve alcohol?

Letter: Gun control laws are collectivist

Letter: Participation beats nothing for La. kids

The Advocate Legislative Coverage for April 23, 2013

What's at the Legislature on Tuesday 

Legislators backing off cigarette tax increases

Bilingual street sign bill advances

Higher ed retirement bill advances

Panel resolves to suspend “cash balance” retirement plan

Effort to reduce pensions fails

Teachers to rally on steps

Juban Crossing bill advances

Cash sought to demolish ‘The Earl’

Legislators could OK Citizen rates

Online accounts would be off-limits to employers

Dogs can still ride in pickups

Retirement bill delayed

Early Steps co-pay bill fails

Bills aimed at budgeting process by Fiscal Hawks

Audit: 1 million CCC toll violators escaped tickets

The Times-Picayune

'Fiscal hawks' move package of 4 bills changing La's budget process to House floor

Task force on performance-based funding for higher ed. is approved by La Senate

Adoption bill passes, dog safety bill fails on House floor

Senate approves bill giving lawmakers say over large Citizens Insurance rate hikes

Ban on physicians remotely administering abortion drugs easily passes La. Senate

Senate retirement committee approves bill pushing back cash balance...

BP oil spill settlement claims can be paid while BP appeals judge's decision

Environmental groups file suit over Public Service Commission vote...

Port of South Louisiana unveils new $19.5 million pier, security operations center

N.O.s' World Trade Center: Demolish or renovate? Developers offer differing ideas

Opinion/Editorials

Our Views: Renew taxes for schools

Louisiana Spotlight: EKL closure shows pitfalls for LSU deal

Legislators focus on tug of war between optometrists and ophthalmologists

Three years later, coastal communities still struggling with impacts of oil spill

Letter: Seafood marketing board is doing fine on its own

The Advocate No Legislative Meetings Friday

New school district clears first hurdle

Inmates would work in church

Bill would grade day care

Jindal won’t seek legislative backing on LSU deals

Jindal says he’d veto cigarette tax without offset

Fannin: Stop passing tax breaks

Morrish may apply for Citizens job

Bond Commission OKs Kenner plan

Aid for deaf sparks funding dispute

No Legislative Meetings Friday

Jindal visits Las Vegas

State analyst defends Jindal policy

La. superintendent addresses ‘teacher leader’ event

Increase in tremors and another edge collapse at Assumption sinkhole

AG: Wine ice cream illegal in La.

NO, St. Bernard Parish get more Katrina-aid

The Times-Picayune

Jindal says resolutions will not require admin. to get leg. approval for privatizations

Tax rebate bill for New Orleans' South Market District fails on House floor

Senate panel approves accountability standards for pre-K programs

Senate education committee signs off on breakaway school district bill

State senator could seek top Citizens Insurance post, seeks ethics ruling

St. Tammany coroner a no-show in committee; bill approved taking away powers

After Waco explosion, West Bank residents should have say on $850M plant...

Bill sponsor says LSU should be 'ashamed' of its student football ticket policy

Kenner's $47M bond refinancing, beautification proposal gets OK'd by State Bond...

Opinion/Editorials

Letter: Program saves Louisiana women’s lives

Our Views: Behind scenes, the real threat

Inside Report: Despite failure, some lessons of Jindal plan

In St. Tammany, GOP state Sen. A.G. Crowe lets down the public: James Varney

All Louisiana women need access to cancer screenings: Chuck Kleckley

Letter: SNAP helps Louisianians eat

The Advocate BR, N.O. rank above average for jobs in or near downtown

Legislative Coverage for April 18, 2013

House panel: No enforcement of federal semiautomatic laws

Cigarette tax receive support

Former governors debate tax swap

Bill would prohibit Internet consultation for abortion doctors

PSC postpones solar vote

Council OKs legislative expenses

Tweet bill passes Senate

Bill would toughen crisis plan

LSU Board OKs hospital agreements

House wants to review deals

TOPS bill advances

Thursday at the Legislature

RSD leaders tout EBR school improvements

Environmental rules oversight increase sought

Landrieu votes “yes” but gun control fails in U.S. Senate

Oil Spill Commission grades Congress D-plus

Rice backs merit pay for teachers

The Times-Picayune

Testimony wraps up in first phase of BP oil spill trial

Health panel approves controversial bill expanding optometrists' powers

Bills expanding TOPS eligibility pass in committee

Landrieu voted for extended background checks b/c it would 'reduce gun violence'

It's dinner with the president for Landrieu, 11 other Senate Democrats

House committee approves bill that would close loophole in sex trafficking law

La. House committee passes 9 bills that would further solidify gun owners rights

La. Senate passes bills banning social media while driving, preventing CCC toll...

Top Democrat sees 'train wreck' coming in health law implementation

Bill that would ban smoking on La college campuses approved by Senate panel

Sen. rejects effort to expand gun background checks; Vitter votes no, Landrieu yes

Inspector general bill for St. Tammany Parish will not be filed

Opinion/Editorials

Our Views: Bill dampens accountability

Letter: Bayou Corne and conjecture

The Advocate Legislative Coverage for April 17, 2013

Wednesday at the Louisiana Legislature

Legislature regroups on income tax

House committee passes bill for Elio Motors concept car

Bill would forbid dogs from riding uncrated in the back of pickups

Baton Rouge MAP worker remembered by state

Bills address bombs and reporting suspicious activities

Insurance verification bill advances

Bill would give legislators more construction authority

Child support paternity bill sidelined

Black Caucus drops tax bill

Bill divvies Ascension tax dollars

Three compete for Legislative Fiscal Officer post

Senate asks to sign off on hospital deals

Environmental leaders send BP a message: ‘It’s not over’

Tulane professors to discuss Jindal’s tax position

Corps agrees to send more water to Atchafalaya

A+PEL poll: Teachers favor merit pay

Official: LSU key to future tech jobs

BESE drops plan to change rules for counselors and librarians

Could it happen here?

Some New Orleans schools to see per-pupil funding drop

Researchers: BRAVE effort reducing crime

Berm expected to contain sinkhole brine, oil

St. Tammany, Caddo students win state’s top honors

The Times-Picayune

House passes 2-cent tax on cell phones, lowers landline tax to help the deaf

LSU Board of Supervisors to consider hospital privatization on Wednesday

Senate requires LSU to get legislative approval before privatizing hospitals

Jindal unveils construction budget for the coming year

Gov. Jindal condemns Boston Marathon bombings, orders flags flown at half-staff

In wake of Boston Marathon explosions, N.O. law enforcement urges citizens to...

BESE poised to reject changes to state requirements for counselors, librarians

Bills to fight blight, extend adoptions pass in civil law committee

La. Senate committee approves penalties for impersonating a veteran...

House panel approves bill prohibiting truck drivers from leaving dogs uncrated...

N.O. Aviation Board unveils $826 million overhaul of Louis Armstrong Airport

Opinion/Editorials

Our Views: Bills hurt oversight

Federal Medicaid probe hangs over state government: John Maginnis

Letter: What’s Holloway’s motivation?

Letter: Solar should pay its own way

The Advocate Boston Marathon bombing kills 3, injures over 140

EKL closes; new Lake clinic opens

Income tax elimination bills written off

Legislative Coverage for April 16, 2013

Tuesday at the Louisiana Legislature

Questions raised about some of state’s revenue plans

Tweet causes controversy

Lawmakers propose break on video poker rules

Bill seeks funding for hospitals

Higher ed seeks more state contribution to pensions

Layoffs impact pension system

Constitutional amendment on oil spill money passes first hurdle

Cajun plates proceed

Condoleezza Rice to appear at Baton Rouge forum

Pre-K pilots set for 15 parishes

BP manager testifies in Gulf oil spill trial

Retail spending drops 4% in EBR

Bill to create St. Tammany IG to be filed this week

The Times-Picayune

Community group pans Landrieu administration's choice to monitor NOPD reforms

FBI seeks suspects, motive in Boston bombings

La income tax repeal shelved over revenue concerns, tobacco tax could be next big

BESE to consider counselor requirements, school letter grades Tuesday

La on hook for misspent Road Home and other federal disaster aid, audit warns

Bill that would leverage hospital cash to capture more federal Medicaid money...

Coastal restoration bill clears first hurdle in House committee

State Department of Education selects 15 school districts to participate...

State income tax repeal 'indefinitely deferred' by House panel...

House Commerce Committee approves measure expanding transit-oriented zones

House committee to hear St. Tammany coroner's office legislation Thursday

Repeal state income tax, changes in enterprise zones on Capitol Beat

Opinion/Editorials

Inside Report: La. college funding includes one-time money

Letter: The Holy Rosary deserves public funds

Letters: Compass devalues La. teachers

Our Views: New report, old conclusion

Tax Day: What Louisianians are saying on social media

The Advocate

Jindal open to ideas on phasing out income taxes

Costco plan to help grow BR film studios

Vitter questions EPA nominee

Friday at the Louisiana Legislature

Gun control filibuster averted

TOPS changes stall

Jindal: No need to cap TOPS

CNSI chief defends contract award

Legislative Coverage for April 12, 2013

High school graduation rate rises

La. AG: Approval not needed for LSU hospital deals

Department reorganization bills clears La. House panel

Bill to aid breastfeeding mothers clears hurdle

St. Helena asks Legislature to rethink school cuts

St. Tammany officials, residents attend inspector general session

The Times-Picayune

Bill building in fee schedule for Early Steps clears House health committee

Leg. does not need to OK LSU hospital privatizations, Attorney General's Office...

Have Louisiana Legislature questions?

Jindal not putting up 'barriers' to income tax elimination plans from legislators

TOPS bills tabled in education committee meeting

EPA nominee promises Vitter more transparency

Speaker endorses phase-out of state income tax in first press conference...

Landrieu has $3.46 million available for 2014 campaign race

Phasing out income tax would cost state $23.7B over 10 years...

Jindal: No 'barriers' to eliminating income tax

State posts record-high graduation rate for 201

Former governors to appear as panelists at LSU

Residents zero in on favorite of four I-10 interchange proposals

Opinion/Editorials

Letter: Women’s league backs expansion

Letter: Leave net metering law alone

Medicaid expansion would save money and lives: Letter

Louisiana needs to lead on tax policy: Letter

Eliminating La's income tax would be a major mistake:

Gov. Jindal, lawmakers should focus on smart tax reforms: Editorial
 

The Advocate Tweeting ban bill advances

Legislative Coverage for April 11, 2013

Hospital closure gets final approval

Panel pushes higher education funding revamp

Wireless phones fee advances

LA4 shows gains

College merger clears first hurdle

New grading scale proposed

Scholarship transparency bill OK’d by Senate panel

Bridge fine bill passed in committee

Second day of public testimony on state spending plan

Delegation reacts to Obama’s budget    

Landrieu doubles fundraising dollars

Louisiana meat company recalls deli meat

Two Louisiana residents to be honored at the White House

Judge: City must pay up pensions

The Times-Picayune

Education committee, colleges agree on funding and performance measures

Gov. Jindal's tax plan updates

Using social networks while driving would be banned by bill...

On EPA nominee, Boxer and Vitter go separate ways

Committee approves bills to allow two additional weeks for Orleans Parish...

Budget concerns pour in to La House Appropriations Committee Wednesday

Louisiana lawmakers react cautiously to new bipartisan gun control deal

CCC toll fines issued since Jan. 1 not be collected under bill approved by Senate...

Preschool benefits students for years, education committee hears

Law firm examines investor tax credit as a gauge of La and N.O. entrepreneurship

Federal court shuts down La tax return service that may have caused...

St. Bernard Parish commission determined to fill empty Hurricane Katrina lots

Bobby Jindal to join NBC Education Nation events

BP supervisor recalls training aboard Deepwater Horizon on day of...

Medicare equipment changes will result in lower prices, but fewer providers

Opinion/Editorials

Our Views: With renewals, breathing room

Would eliminating Louisiana's income tax be a major mistake?

Letter: Southern University gets short shrift

Letter: Medicaid expansion would save money and lives

Letter: Louisiana needs to lead on tax policy

The Advocate Legislators hear emotional testimony on state funding

Legislative Coverage for April 10, 2013

Barfield vague on Jindal tax policy

Chief Justice praises drug courts to Louisiana legislators

Bill would increase court costs

Emergency officials question funding

Equal Pay Day in Legislature

Legislators discuss tax overhaul plans

Wednesday at the Louisiana Legislature

Hospitals endorse Medicaid expansion

Cajun license advances

Deadlocked vote sidelines changes to musical and theatrical tax credits

Report cites women’s pay gap in La.

Report shows low La. nursing home rates

Gulf health questions linger after oil leak

The Times-Picayune

Jindal administration will consider income tax repeal without replacement revenue

Chief Justice Bernette Johnson gives her first address to state Legislature

Gov. Jindal's tax plan updates

Slidell City Council calls special election in October for property tax renewals

St. John Parish Council approves budget amendment, implements programs...

Jindal administration rejects Arkansas Medicaid model

Public weighs in on Jindal's proposed budget during Appropriations Committee...

On same-sex marriage, marijuana & other social issues, study says La more...

Louisiana, state with second widest gender pay gap, marks Equal Pay Day

Transportation committee OKs bill allowing sponsorship on state-owned assets

Transportation com. approves measure clarifying right of way at intersections...

Landry forms Super PAC to help House conservatives -- makes 2014 run...

As 3rd anniversary of BP oil spill nears, wetlands' restoration advocated

Opinion/Editorials

Our Views: Even worse than Plan A

Views: No surprise from Cassidy

Gov. Jindal, lawmakers should focus on smart tax reforms: Editorial

Our Views: Ranking La. food cities

Letter: Holloway working to aid the utilities

Capitol Beat: April 9, 2013