[StBernard] BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for MAy 14, 2007

[Westley Annis]

BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for May 14, 2007
Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda to strengthen Louisiana's future


BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's early education program could soon be named in honor of former Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard, the man who helped build it to a nationally-recognized education program. Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today testified in support of the bill to rename LA-4 "The Cecil J. Picard LA-4 Early Childhood Program." That and the following bills in the Governor's legislative package advanced in the legislature today:

House Bill 595 - The Cecil J. Picard LA-4 Early Childhood Program

*	Sponsored by Representative Donald Trahan.
*	This bill provides that the name of the program for La-4 classes shall be "the Cecil J. Picard LA-4 Early Childhood Program."
*	Approved by the House Education Committee, heads next to the full House for further consideration.

House Bill 860 - Consumer Bill of Rights

*	Sponsored by Representative Karen Carter, Chairperson, House Insurance committee. 
*	This bill creates a Consumer Bill of Rights, clearly defining the rights of consumers in their business transactions with insurance companies. 
*	This bill also creates the Office of Consumer Advocacy in the Department of Insurance and abolishes the Insurance Rating Commission. 
*	Approved by the House Insurance committee, heads next to the full House for further consideration. 

House Bill 542 -Expansion of health insurance for children 

*	Sponsored by Representative Monica H. Walker and Senator Diana Bajoie. 
*	This bill will allow the state to expand health coverage to more of Louisiana's uninsured children. 
*	Approved by House of Representatives by a vote of 103-0, heads next to the Senate for committee referral. 

House Bill 633 - General Motors Plant Sales Tax Exemption

*	Sponsored by Rep. Taylor Townsend, Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee. 
*	Gov. Blanco continues the most aggressive economic development agenda in Louisiana's recent history with a $540,000 proposal in sales tax exemptions to help General Motors expand its facility in Shreveport. 
*	This proposal accelerates the manufacturing machinery and equipment exclusion for motor vehicle manufacturers. 
*	Approved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, heads next to the full Senate for further consideration. 

Senate Bill 53 - Creates Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Financing Corporation 

*	Sponsored by Senator Reggie Dupre
*	This bill sets up the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Financing Corporation to allow the state to securitize the income stream from federal outer continental shelf revenue to fund coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects. 
*	Approved by the Senate Finance Committee, heads next to the full Senate for further consideration.

Click here for more on the legislative session. <http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&navID=50&cpID=169&cfmID=0&catID=0> 

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