Temple focuses on insurance discounts for fortified roofs
State Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is drafting rules for discounts on insurance premiums for fortified roofs. (Photo courtesy of the Louisiana Department of Insurance) BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple is working with a national panel of insurance commissioners to establish a targeted discount rate for homeowners who install a fortified roof. The benchmarks will be minimum discounts on homeowner policies that insurance providers are required to me
Legislative leaders skeptical of carbon capture local control bills
Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier previewed the upcoming legislative session at a luncheon Monday. (Photo by Cross Harris / LSU Manship School News Service) BATON ROUGE — State Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier expressed concern Monday about a spate of bills that might give communities veto power over carbon capture projects in their areas. The push for a local option follows growing concerns of residents, la
McFarland pivotal in budget debates
State Rep. Jack McFarland makes sure every House member gets to weigh in on the state budget. (Photo by Cross Harris / LSU Manship School News Service) BATON ROUGE — When people think of Jack McFarland, they think of the clean-cut, white-haired logger from Winnfield who knows the state budget inside and out as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. What many don’t know is that his career in politics came from something as simple as doing others’ laundry. When McFarla
State steps up maintenance on roads, bridges
State Rep. Ryan Bourriaque is pushing to fix the state’s road and bridges. (Photo by Cross Harris / LSU Manship School News Service) BATON ROUGE — State officials say they will prioritize maintenance projects, especially on rural roads and bridges, as they seek to reduce an estimated $19 billion backlog in highway projects. They also are counting on the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, an entity created by the Legislature last year, to speed up the contracting proces
Legislature delays primary election, ends session
Rep. Gerald "Beau" Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, addresses the House Chamber Wednesday morning. BATON ROUGE — The state Legislature ended the special session Wednesday by voting to delay the statewide primary election next year for one month while the U.S. Supreme Court considers the legality of the state’s two so-called majority-minority congressional districts. The final vote came in the state House, where lawmakers cleared the election delay in a 73 to 29 vote, which broke a
Federal Medicaid cuts could cost Louisiana $4 billion
State Senate President Cameron Henry said proposals for federal Medicaid cuts could cost Louisiana $4 billion. (Photo by Cross Harris /...
