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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana House committee passes budget that closes $200 million shortfall without raising taxes
BATON ROUGE — The House Appropriations Committee advanced a $49.4 billion state budget Monday that funds $2,000 teacher stipends for next year, closes a nearly $200 million shortfall and balances the books without raising taxes. To bridge the budget gap, lawmakers pieced together a solution using a mix of cuts, delayed spending and the discovery of unspent or underutilized funds tucked away in various agencies. This included clawing back excess appropriations, redirecting one-time revenues and freezing certain state expenditures. Some of the savings came from blocking state vehicle purchases and combing Medicaid rolls to remove people who have moved out of state. The committee's approach not only avoided tax hikes but also safeguarded critical areas like education and healthcare. The effort won praise from both sides of the aisle, with Republicans applauding the fiscal discipline and Democrats recognizing the protection of key public services and the funding of teacher stipends. At the heart of the plan is House Bill 1, the state's main operating budget authored by Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland, R-Winnfield. The bill, originally submitted by Gov. Jeff Landry as a standstill plan, was overhauled to address the shortfall and fund the $2,000 stipends for teachers and $1,000 for school support staff, including charter school employees, The stipends that were in jeopardy after Louisiana voters rejected a constitutional amendment in March that would have secured a permanent funding source for the stipends. 'In tough times, families tighten their belts,' McFarland said in a news release. "We made sure the state government did the same — responsibly, and without asking more from taxpayers.' Protecting teacher raises: Louisiana legislative panel funds teacher pay raises in surprise move Income tax plan advances Louisiana House passes bill that could further cut income tax, with constitutional amendment TOPS funding TOPS tweaks trouble cofounder Taylor: 'Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water' The final package included a series of cost-saving measures. Lawmakers blocked $91 million in vehicle and equipment purchases for state agencies, cut $26.3 million in Medicaid spending by removing ineligible recipients and saved $20 million through a statewide hiring freeze ordered by Landry. They also used state reserves to pay down $148 million in retirement debt for the State Police system, generating $25.5 million in interest savings, and eliminated 'high-dosage' tutoring programs, freeing up an additional $30 million. 'We balanced the budget, protected taxpayers, and made government more accountable. And we're just getting started,' said House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice. 'These cuts lay the groundwork for long-term reform and financial stability.' The committee also kept intact Landry's request for $94 million in funding for the new Louisiana GATOR program, an education savings account initiative that allows families to use public funds for private school tuition and other non-public education expenses. The program is a key part of Landry's school choice agenda and is expected to launch in phases. It is controversial among some education advocates and rural lawmakers, who say it could eventually drain money from public schools. McFarland acknowledged the teacher stipends are being funded with one-time dollars and that a long-term solution remains elusive. 'Until then, this is what we had to do, but I don't want to have to do it again,' McFarland said. Democrats praised the bipartisan work needed to achieve this bill. "I want to thank the chairman and administration and everyone who has worked on getting these amendments done, particularly for teacher stipends,' Rep. Denise Marcelle, D-Baton Rouge, said. 'Thank you for looking under tables and around the corners.' Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, the vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that early childhood education funding remains untouched and pointed to new investments in public safety. Gov. Landry's hiring freeze is expected to save $20 million annually and is seen as a way to preserve healthcare and education spending without deeper cuts. 'The public should know this budget represents no cuts in services,' Hughes said. 'We found surpluses elsewhere. But this is just one step in a very lengthy process.' The budget increases spending by $7 million for domestic violence shelters under the Department of Children and Family Services. The budget also reduces dedications from the State General Fund and officially ends remote work for state employees. If HB1 passes the House as expected, it will move to the Senate Finance Committee for further deliberation. The committee also advanced other key budget bills. House Bill 460 allocates $148.8 million in surplus funds to pay down State Police retirement debt, saving $25.5 million in interest compared to the original plan to spread the money across four systems. House Bill 461 sends 25% of the 2023–2024 surplus to the Budget Stabilization Fund and authorizes emergency spending. House Bill 463 funds ancillary agencies without tapping the State General Fund, while House Bill 647 finances the judiciary. Additional allocations in the budget include $7 million for domestic violence shelters under the Department of Children and Family Services. The budget also reduces dedications from the State General Fund and officially ends remote work for state employees. This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana House Appropriations Committee passes budget, closes shortfall
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs bills to lower auto insurance rates
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a sweeping package of auto insurance reform bills Wednesday, promising to lower the cost of coverage in Louisiana by cracking down on what he calls 'frivolous lawsuits' and strengthening oversight of the insurance industry. Landry called the new auto insurance laws 'the largest tort reform package, and effort made in the history of the state.' He said the goal was to take a measured approach by holding both insurers and litigants accountable for rising costs. The signing came a week after Landry flexed his political muscle and forced one of the key bills through the Senate in a late-night vote. The bill, House Bill 148, gives Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple more authority to reject 'excessive' rate increases — power that Temple says he does not need. Temple has downplayed the idea that Louisiana's high premiums stem from weak regulatory power, instead pointing to legal abuse and a high number of minor injury claims. 'It's a false claim that rates are high because the commissioner doesn't have some magical power,' Temple said. 'The problem in Louisiana is bodily injury claims and the legal system that encourages them.' An amendment added by the governor's supporters also requires insurance companies to make their rate filings public, a move some in the industry say could expose trade secrets. Landry defended the change by pointing out that insurance commissioners in other Southern states, including Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and others, have the power to reject excessive rate hikes. Budget passes: Louisiana House committee passes budget that closes $200 million shortfall without raising taxes Sports gambling: Louisiana House lowers proposed tax increase on online sports betting TOPS reform:: TOPS tweaks trouble cofounder Taylor: 'Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water' He said HB148 brings Louisiana in line with our neighboring states and gives the Insurance Department more tools to protect consumers. Auto insurance has been one of the most important — and contentious — issues in this spring's legislative session. Political analysts say rising car insurance rates could pose a problem for Landry in a re-election campaign. Landry has repeatedly said he plans to hold Temple accountable if rates do not drop under the new law. In the past, legislators have blamed plaintiff's lawyers and focused almost entirely on tort reform, claiming that caps on big court judgments would bring down auto insurance rates. But premiums have continued to increase, and Landry contended that greater oversight of premium rates is also needed. Landry opened his news conference Wednesday by reflecting on last year's efforts to reform home and property insurance in Louisiana. He acknowledged criticism for not accepting the entire package of legislative proposals at that time and pointed to another Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, who did that in Florida. 'Today Floridians are struggling, and their legislature is trying to roll back some of those recommendations,' Landry said, using the example to explain why Louisiana is taking a more measured path. While Temple expressed skepticism about the need for HB148, he has supported the rest of the package, saying the legal reforms are necessary to stabilize the insurance market and bring rates down. Landry referenced a report commissioned by the Legislature that included tort reform recommendations insurers said would lower rates. 'Still hopeful that by the end of the session, we will sign even more of those industry-specific recommendations that insurance companies asked for, and more importantly predicted, would lower rates,' Landry said. Other bills in the package that the governor signed target who can file lawsuits, how much they can recover and what jurors can consider in injury cases: House Bill 434 raises the minimum threshold of medical costs that uninsured drivers must meet to claim medical expenses in court, from $15,000 to $100,000. House Bill 450 requires plaintiffs to prove their injuries were directly caused by the crash in question. House Bill 431 bars drivers found at least 51% responsible for a crash from collecting any damages. Currently, they can recover damages for the remaining 49%. Landry said business groups have long supported this change. House Bill 436, a controversial measure, prohibits undocumented immigrants injured in car accidents from collecting compensation for general damages. Senate Bill 231 allows jurors to consider the actual amounts paid for medical care, rather than the often-inflated billed amounts, in personal injury cases. House Bill 549 mandates a 5% insurance premium discount for commercial vehicles with dashboard cameras. 'Having undisputed video evidence will reduce litigation, improve truck driver safety, and lower costs for everyone,' Landry said. With bipartisan backing on several of the bills, Landry said the changes mark a major step toward improving Louisiana's insurance climate and restoring fairness in the system. 'Over the last 50 days, the only side I and the legislators who supported this package of bills have been on is the people,' Landry said. 'Our people are too good to be taken advantage of again and again.' This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs auto insurance reform bills
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
This Week in Louisiana Politics: Jail security, DOJ closes investigation, new crime lab
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — On This Week in Louisiana Politics, Gov. Jeff Landry signs an executive order for jail safety, the Department of Justice closes an investigation into the state police, a report analyzes the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the latest on a new state crime lab. Here's a recap of the latest in Louisiana political news. Landry signed an executive order to improve jail security after 10 Orleans Parish inmates escaped. He wants to implement transparency and accountability in criminal justice systems across the state. New Orleans' jail system was troubled decades before 10 inmates made an audacious escape The order includes Department of Corrections inmates being transferred to state-operated facilities, the Inspector General would oversee audits of case files, court clerks are asked to document continuance requests, and judges are asked to address unnecessary delays. The DOJ closed its investigation into LSP and retracted allegations that state police violated people's Fourth Amendment rights. The DOJ said LSP used excessive force against people who did not pose a safety risk to officers. 'I'm grateful that under Pam Bondi's leadership, the Justice Department is taking a hard look at the biased, politically-motivated conduct of the Biden Administration's DOJ,' said AG Liz Murrill. 'This report was issued two days before inauguration, with one day's notice to the Governor and me, and zero opportunity to even read it, much less comment. I'm thankful to President Donald Trump and the current Department of Justice team.' How federal consent decrees have been used in police reform across the US Louisiana lawmakers in the Select Committee on Homeland Security learned about how the state responded to the pandemic. Rep. Charles Owen (R-Rosepine), who presented the report, said individual rights were violated in the name of protecting the public. 'It addressed our inaction as legislators for not stopping it when we could have, and the previous administration's overreach and its infringement on liberty as opposed to its fascination with protection over liberty,' Owen said. A new crime lab is in the works as over 11,000 murder cases dating back to 1965 remain unsolved. The new 118,000-square-foot lab would feature new technology, more conference rooms, an indoor gun range, and an analysis lab. It is expected to be completed by 2026. Louisiana Survey: Residents identify economy as most important problem How to get weight loss drugs without insurance Planning to fly with a portable charger or power bank? Read this first City employee killed in boat blast at NYC sewage treatment plant PHOTOS | 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 6 LSU sports legends with statues on campus in Baton Rouge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
A split jury and a lie sent him to prison. Now he's working to change Louisiana's law
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As 18-year-old Bobby Gumpright rode his bike home from his bartending job in New Orleans in 1999, he began to concoct a story about why he didn't have any money. In the throes of addiction and not wanting to admit he had spent his paycheck on drugs, Gumpright lied to his father and said a Black man had robbed him at gunpoint. The fabrication spun out of control when a detective, armed with photos of potential suspects, asked Gumpright to point to the culprit. Across town, Jermaine Hudson, a 20-year-old Black man, was pulled over for a traffic stop and taken into custody. He figured he would soon be released to go home to his pregnant wife and 10-month-old daughter. Instead, he was charged with a crime he didn't commit. Even though two jurors didn't believe Gumpright's story, Hudson was found guilty by a split jury, a practice that 20 years later would be deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, which acknowledged its origins from racist Jim Crow laws. Nearly 1,000 people convicted by split juries remain in prison in Louisiana. Now, 25 years after Gumpright's lies sent Hudson to prison, the two unlikely friends are sharing their story in a push for legislation to give some of those people a chance to have their cases retired. A split decision As Hudson sat in the courtroom in 2001, he grappled with a reality that he didn't create. 'Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my life would have been at a standstill ... missing out on my kids' life, on my life," Hudson told The Associated Press last month. Two witnesses testified: the officer who responded to the 911 call and Gumpright. As Gumpright took the stand, Hudson prayed the stranger would acknowledge the wrongful allegation and his nightmare would end. A prosecutor asked Gumpright, who is white, if he was sure it was Hudson who robbed him. He responded, '110%.' In a 10-2 vote, the jury convicted Hudson of armed robbery. The judge sentenced him to 99 years in prison. A practice rooted in racism At the time of Hudson's trial, only Louisiana and Oregon allowed convictions if one or two jurors disagreed. Louisiana adopted the practice in 1898, fueled by efforts to maintain white supremacy after the Civil War. Diluting the voice of Black jurors allowed the often-white majority to determine the outcome. In 2018, Louisiana voters did away with the use of nonunanimous jury convictions, two years before the Supreme Court ruling. Of the 1,500 people in Louisiana prisons from split jury convictions at that time, about 80% were Black and most were serving life sentences, according to a Project of Justice Initiative analysis. Following the high court decision, Oregon's Supreme Court granted new trials to hundreds of people. But Louisiana's Supreme Court rejected arguments to apply the ruling retroactively, leaving people like Hudson locked up with scarce legal options or waiting on a miracle. Waiting 22 years for freedom Years of Hudson's life dwindled away as he missed the birth of his second daughter, graduations and other milestones. He prayed Gumpright would 'come forward with the truth.' 'This can't be my final destination. This can't be the end of my life,' Hudson often thought. Gumpright tried to numb his guilt with drugs and alcohol, but it never went away. 'I was either gonna kill myself or I was gonna come forward,' he told the AP. In 2021, Hudson was preparing to take a new deal: plead guilty to armed robbery in exchange for a sentence of time served. Just days before the bargain was finalized, Hudson received news he long waited for. Gumpright, who had entered a drug treatment facility, had come clean about his lies. After spending 22 years behind bars, Hudson was released. A few months later, Gumpright answered a phone call from a blocked number. 'I bet you never thought you'd hear from me,' Hudson said. Fixing an injustice A packed committee room at the state Capitol fell silent last month as a man wearing a suit and tie took to the microphone. 'My name is Bobby Gumpright,' he said, his hand trembling. "I come before you as a citizen of Louisiana. ... I'm also a man who lives each day with the consequences of a terrible sin.' Gumpright told lawmakers his story, the true one. Sitting behind him was Hudson. The pair first met in New Orleans, six months after Hudson's release. They have spent the past two years advocating for a bill that would give inmates convicted by split juries the opportunity to ask for a retrial. The measure does not automatically grant a retrial. The duo say their story is an example of how an innocent man can be imprisoned for decades under an unconstitutional practice and that it's never too late to right a wrong. 'I couldn't change the past, but I could refuse to live the lie any longer while injustice continued,' Gumpright told lawmakers. 'Louisiana can't change the past. But Louisiana can refuse to let its injustice live on.' The measure failed last year, but a legislative committee backed a similar bill in April. It still needs approval from the governor, House and Senate, which could debate it this week People cheered as the bill cleared its first hurdle. Gumpright and Hudson hugged, holding each other up, as they cried tears of joy. An unlikely bond Both men said they needed one another to heal. Hudson wanted to know why Gumpright lied. Gumpright sought forgiveness. 'I'm not the type of man to hold grudges or to hate anyone,' Hudson said. 'I have a forgiving heart. And in order for me to really move on I forgave him, because I understood what he was going through.' Sober for four years, Gumpright, 44, is now an addiction counselor. Hudson, 47, moved to Texas, got married, bought a house, is starting a business and spends time with his two grandsons. Gumpright attended Hudson's housewarming and met his family. They text each other words of encouragement every day and keep photos of each other close by. 'My friend? That's an understatement," Hudson said about his relationship with Gumpright. "He's my brother.' Sara Cline, The Associated Press
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
A split jury and a lie sent him to prison. Now he's working to change Louisiana's law
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — As 18-year-old Bobby Gumpright rode his bike home from his bartending job in New Orleans in 1999, he began to concoct a story about why he didn't have any money. In the throes of addiction and not wanting to admit he had spent his paycheck on drugs, Gumpright lied to his father and said a Black man had robbed him at gunpoint. The fabrication spun out of control when a detective, armed with photos of potential suspects, asked Gumpright to point to the culprit. Across town, Jermaine Hudson, a 20-year-old Black man, was pulled over for a traffic stop and taken into custody. He figured he would soon be released to go home to his pregnant wife and 10-month-old daughter. Instead, he was charged with a crime he didn't commit. Even though two jurors didn't believe Gumpright's story, Hudson was found guilty by a split jury, a practice that 20 years later would be deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, which acknowledged its origins from racist Jim Crow laws. Nearly 1,000 people convicted by split juries remain in prison in Louisiana. Now, 25 years after Gumpright's lies sent Hudson to prison, the two unlikely friends are sharing their story in a push for legislation to give some of those people a chance to have their cases retired. A split decision As Hudson sat in the courtroom in 2001, he grappled with a reality that he didn't create. 'Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought my life would have been at a standstill ... missing out on my kids' life, on my life," Hudson told The Associated Press last month. Two witnesses testified: the officer who responded to the 911 call and Gumpright. As Gumpright took the stand, Hudson prayed the stranger would acknowledge the wrongful allegation and his nightmare would end. A prosecutor asked Gumpright, who is white, if he was sure it was Hudson who robbed him. He responded, '110%.' In a 10-2 vote, the jury convicted Hudson of armed robbery. The judge sentenced him to 99 years in prison. A practice rooted in racism At the time of Hudson's trial, only Louisiana and Oregon allowed convictions if one or two jurors disagreed. Louisiana adopted the practice in 1898, fueled by efforts to maintain white supremacy after the Civil War. Diluting the voice of Black jurors allowed the often-white majority to determine the outcome. In 2018, Louisiana voters did away with the use of nonunanimous jury convictions, two years before the Supreme Court ruling. Of the 1,500 people in Louisiana prisons from split jury convictions at that time, about 80% were Black and most were serving life sentences, according to a Project of Justice Initiative analysis. Following the high court decision, Oregon's Supreme Court granted new trials to hundreds of people. But Louisiana's Supreme Court rejected arguments to apply the ruling retroactively, leaving people like Hudson locked up with scarce legal options or waiting on a miracle. Waiting 22 years for freedom Years of Hudson's life dwindled away as he missed the birth of his second daughter, graduations and other milestones. He prayed Gumpright would 'come forward with the truth.' 'This can't be my final destination. This can't be the end of my life,' Hudson often thought. Gumpright tried to numb his guilt with drugs and alcohol, but it never went away. 'I was either gonna kill myself or I was gonna come forward,' he told the AP. In 2021, Hudson was preparing to take a new deal: plead guilty to armed robbery in exchange for a sentence of time served. Just days before the bargain was finalized, Hudson received news he long waited for. Gumpright, who had entered a drug treatment facility, had come clean about his lies. After spending 22 years behind bars, Hudson was released. A few months later, Gumpright answered a phone call from a blocked number. 'I bet you never thought you'd hear from me,' Hudson said. Fixing an injustice A packed committee room at the state Capitol fell silent last month as a man wearing a suit and tie took to the microphone. 'My name is Bobby Gumpright,' he said, his hand trembling. "I come before you as a citizen of Louisiana. ... I'm also a man who lives each day with the consequences of a terrible sin.' Gumpright told lawmakers his story, the true one. Sitting behind him was Hudson. The pair first met in New Orleans, six months after Hudson's release. They have spent the past two years advocating for a bill that would give inmates convicted by split juries the opportunity to ask for a retrial. The measure does not automatically grant a retrial. The duo say their story is an example of how an innocent man can be imprisoned for decades under an unconstitutional practice and that it's never too late to right a wrong. 'I couldn't change the past, but I could refuse to live the lie any longer while injustice continued,' Gumpright told lawmakers. 'Louisiana can't change the past. But Louisiana can refuse to let its injustice live on.' The measure failed last year, but a legislative committee backed a similar bill in April. It still needs approval from the governor, House and Senate, which could debate it this week People cheered as the bill cleared its first hurdle. Gumpright and Hudson hugged, holding each other up, as they cried tears of joy. An unlikely bond Both men said they needed one another to heal. Hudson wanted to know why Gumpright lied. Gumpright sought forgiveness. 'I'm not the type of man to hold grudges or to hate anyone,' Hudson said. 'I have a forgiving heart. And in order for me to really move on I forgave him, because I understood what he was going through.' Sober for four years, Gumpright, 44, is now an addiction counselor. Hudson, 47, moved to Texas, got married, bought a house, is starting a business and spends time with his two grandsons. Gumpright attended Hudson's housewarming and met his family. They text each other words of encouragement every day and keep photos of each other close by. 'My friend? That's an understatement," Hudson said about his relationship with Gumpright. "He's my brother.'
