Daily Dime
With the annual debate over the state budget being pushed to next month’s special session, the biggest financial dispute for lawmakers to resolve this weekend involves $811 million in federal relief funding that Gov. John Bel Edwards has earmarked for local governments.… Read more...
The critical services that state and local governments provide are more important than ever as communities struggle against the Covid-19 recession. But with revenue collections waning, many state and local authorities are considering laying off public servants. More federal aid is needed to help states and locals avoid these cuts.… Read more...
Louisiana’s economy cannot fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic unless parents with young children have access to safe, affordable child care. But the people who care for children at the most critical stage of brain development are paid an average of $8.95 an hour.… Read more...
Political debates over the state’s budget priorities and Louisiana’s civil justice system will continue through June, with the Legislature calling itself into a 30-day special session starting almost immediately after the current session wraps up at 6 p.m. on June 1.… Read more...