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Six more days until 2022 legislative session is over! This is a quick, last update email before I give you the final rundown when we adjourn on June 6. This email only has a few items:

(1) status of my bills

(2) status of a few larger or more well known bills, and

(3) information on my Senate campaign.

Remember you can sign up here to help out on the campaign, or to receive a reminder when you can donate (beginning June 7).

Hope to see many of you on June 10 at Nola Brewing.

- Mandie

Mark your calendar for a campaign kickoff next Friday, June 10 at Nola Brewing from 5pm-8pm. Come by and say hello, and pick up a t-shirt or some swag. We'll be offering pizza and a drink of your choice. Kids welcome, and puppies as well provided the weather allows us to stay outside.  

This campaign is starting fast - and strong! It has never been more important than right now to elect people who are strong, persistent, and well-informed on the biggest issues facing our country right now: abortion, reproductive rights, maternal health, gun control, marijuana, voting rights.....We are at a critical time in our city and country, and who we elect now will make a difference for years to come.

The Senate has been very slowly going through bills - they have 400 House bills pending on the Senate floor - and several of mine are awaiting debate on the Senate floor. This includes HB 160 (disaster eviction protection), HB 516 (school assistance for pregnant and parenting students), and HB 1052 (hazard mitigation funding). 

We are also waiting for Senate debate on the little bill that could.....employment protections for medical marijuana patients. When I filed HB 988 with Louisiana Progress, I expected to have a thoughtful hearing with quick opposition. Although medical marijuana has been around in Louisiana for over 5 years, we do not have a single law that addresses employment issues for medical marijuana patients; our state has been slow to address anything marijuana related. This bill has now made it out of House committee, passed the House floor, and made it out of Senate committee. Fingers crossed that it can cross the finish line this year.

I also am trying to set up a task force to study the Sewerage and Water Board - meaning, to study the over 100 years of its complicated existence and the twists and turns it has taken as a state entity, so that we can better understand how we as a city can restructure or at least, reform this complicated entity. More to come on this.

Meet Samantha Knister (pictured above). She’s a star student, volunteer, and athlete in New Orleans. A couple of years ago, she suffered a concussion in a cheerleading accident. After experiencing many issues post concussion with sleep and her schoolwork, she was diagnosed with narcolepsy. As a new advocate and educator of narcolepsy, she asked me to file a resolution, HR 207, to raise awareness of this syndrome that affects 1 in 2,000 people. Many thanks to Samantha for her hard work! If you have a similar request, reach out to my office!

We still have many terrible gun bills pending approval. While I hope they all fail, unfortunately we know that the Louisiana Legislature is very supportive of expanding gun ownership and very opposed to any reasonable gun regulations. We have only had two gun control bills filed in the past two years in the House, both by yours truly. I know that the climate here in Baton Rouge is anti gun control, but to me, it is always important to make sure that reasonable legislation - supported overwhelmingly by my constituents - is presented, and that my colleagues hear from new viewpoints.

The budget and capitol outlay bills have been passed by both chambers, and are now waiting signature or veto from the governor.

There are still several terrible abortion bills pending. We can always hope for a miracle that they will fail, but in the meantime, we will keep fighting. My attempt to prohibit criminalizing pregnancy outcomes (i.e., don't arrest someone who self managed an abortion or suffered a miscarriage!) was killed (twice) in committee, but there are now numerous legislators who are aware that this is about to become a huge, potentially deadly problem in this state. Women who are afraid of being arrested won't go to the hospital when they need help, and that is who we are the most worried about should Roe be overturned.

Please reach out with questions, and you will hear from me right after session with a big update.

Check out getagameplan.org for assistance in creating a family plan. They also have a helpful app to do the same.

JOIN (Jefferson, Orleans, Irish Channel Neighbors for Clean Air) is a group of volunteers from Harvey, Irish Channel, East Riverside, and surrounding areas who are working to protect and improve air quality in our neighborhoods. To learn more, join up, or donate, please visit us at Join4CleanAir.org or find us on Facebook @JOIN4CA.