[StBernard] BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for May 24, 2007

[Westley Annis]

BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for Thursday, May 24, 2007; Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda to Strengthen Louisiana's Future


BATON ROUGE - The centerpiece of Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's agenda to strengthen Louisiana's future is on the move after the House Appropriations Committee approved the major budget bill, House Bill 1. This budget includes key components of the Governor's proposed investments in education, health care, and workforce development. The following bills in the Governor's legislative package advanced in the legislature today:

House Bill 1 - Operating Expenses of State Government 

*	Sponsored by Representative John Alario. 
*	This bill outlines the Governor's executive budget, including the following key components: 
	Education: Provides a pay increase for Louisiana's teachers to the SREB average, as well as a pay increase for support workers; expands LA4 Early Childhood program for all at-risk children, funds Louisiana's High School Redesign initiative; and invests in education technology including a laptop pilot program for two 6th grade classes in every parish. 
	Higher Education: Provides 100 percent Formula Funding for higher education institutions, provides for non-formula and over-formula institutions at three percent of their formula amounts, provides a faculty pay increase, establishes Louisiana's first substantial need-based scholarships program, provides targeted funding for hurricane-affected campuses to assist with faculty recruitment, retention and to help restore and recover key research and operational ca! pacity; funds the Community and Technical College Development Pool; and funds more workforce training focused on the construction trades, nursing and allied health. 
	Health Care: Provides funding to increase private and public provider rates, expansion of disability waiver slots, continue uncompensated care pool, additional funding for health care redesign, and expanded services for behavioral health (mental health and addictive disorders)
	Pay Increases: Provides for increased fire and police supplemental pay by $125 per month, a special pay package for correctional officers to reduce high turnover rate - $6,000 per officer (excludes wardens and assistant wardens), and a modest state employee pay raise - $1,500. 
*	Approved by the House Appropriations Committee, heads next to full House of Representatives for further consideration. 

House Bill 2 - Capital Outlay Budget 

*	Sponsored by Representative Taylor Townsend. 
*	Provides for the construction and repair of state and local facilities. 
*	Approved by the House Ways and Means Committee, heads next to the House Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Senate Bill 155-Refundable Child Tax Credit 

*	Sponsored by Senator Lydia Jackson. 
*	This bill provides a state child tax credit that is 10 percent of the federal child tax credit.
*	Approved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, heads next to full Senate for consideration. 

Senate Concurrent Resolutions 11 and 12 - CPRA Comprehensive Master Plan for Coastal Protection 

*	Sponsored by Senator Reggie Dupre. 
*	SCR 11 approves the annual Coastal Protection Plan for Fiscal Year 2007-2008 to protect, conserve and restore Louisiana's coastal areas through the construction and management of hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects and programs. 
*	SCR 12 approves the Comprehensive Master Plan for Coastal Protection adopted by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The master plan addresses both short-term and long-term coastal restoration and hurricane protection efforts. 
*	Approved by the House Transportation Committee, heads next to the full House of Representatives 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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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org