[StBernard] BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for June 22, 2007; Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda to Stren

[Westley Annis]

BLANCO TRACK: Session Update for Friday, June 22, 2007;Today's progress on Governor Blanco's agenda to Strengthen Louisiana's Future


BATON ROUGE - Major investments in Louisiana's future are moving forward today after the Senate approved key spending bills, including House Bills 2 and 3, allowing for improvements to universities, roads, health care facilities, and other needs in local communities. The Senate also approved House Concurrent Resolution 10, raising the expenditure limit to allow for one-time investments to meet state needs, including critical funding toward the projected Road Home shortfall. 

The following bills in Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's legislative package advanced in the legislature today:


House Concurrent Resolution 10 - FY 2007-08 Expenditure Limit

*	Sponsored by Representative John Alario 
*	This legislation raises the expenditure limit for Fiscal Year FY 2006-2007 to fully fund the expenditures in HB 765. 
*	Approved by the Senate. 

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 Senate, heads to the House of Representatives for approval of amendments. 

House Bill 3 - Provides for the Omnibus Bond Act

*	Sponsored by Representative Taylor Townsend 
*	This bill is the funding mechanism for House Bill 2, the state's construction budget for state and local projects. 
*	Approved by the Senate, heads to the Governor to be signed. 

House Bill 678 -Insure Louisiana Incentive Program 

*	Sponsored by Representative Karen R. Carter 
*	This bill allows the state to match a company's capital investment dollar for dollar to encourage more companies to write policies in Louisiana. 
*	Approved by the Senate Finance Committee, heads to the Senate for further consideration. 

Senate Bill 1 - Health Care Reform Act of 2007

*	Sponsored by Senator Joe McPherson 
*	This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Hospitals to develop and implement a redesigned health care delivery system for Medicaid recipients and low-income uninsured citizens. 
*	Approved by the House of Representatives, heads to the Senate for approval of amendments. 

Senate Bill 238 - Establishment of Health Care Redesign Fund in state treasury 

*	Sponsored by Senator Joe McPherson 
*	This fund will facilitate a safe, patient-centered, high quality redesigned health care system for Medicaid recipients and low-income uninsured patients. Specifically the fund will provide for a "medical home" system of care in New Orleans and Southwest Louisiana, expand health insurance for children, increase behavioral health services (substance abuse and mental health treatment) and provide funding for health care workforce recruitment and retention. 
*	Approved by the House of Representatives, heads to the Governor to be signed. 

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 House of Representatives, heads to the Senate for approval of amendments.

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