We've made it to the second half of the 2020 Louisiana Legislative Session! A lot has happened, but we still have far to go. Thank you always for your support.
MY LEGISLATION
I'm happy to report that HB 468, which would expand Medicaid from 60 days to one year for new mothers, is still moving through the process with good momentum. This legislation is hugely popular, and has many supporters from across the political spectrum. I am very thankful to Frankie Robertson, Dr. Veronica Gillispie, and the many advocates and groups that support this legislation. I am especially thankful to my colleagues Rep. Gary Carter and Rep. Aimee Freeman who presented HB 468 to the Appropriations Committee last week when I was home with a bad cold. I appreciate you both! Stay tuned for updates this week after I present HB 468 to the full House for a vote.
On a related note, HB 301 is now in the Senate. This bill would establish a refundable tax creditfor those who have experienced the loss of a mother during childbirth.
We were pleasantly surprised to see HB 241 make it out of the Judiciary Committee last week. This bill would set a fee in eviction cases in Orleans Parish, to be used solely by legal aid to provide a lawyer to people facing eviction. This is a longshot bill in this legislature, but it was received with an open mind by the committee. Nationally, there is a call for a right to counsel in eviction proceedings. Thanks to Maxwell Ciardullo with the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center for his hard work on housing issues and patience with me.
Last year, I passed HCR 91, which established a working group to study health care in Louisiana prisons. The group presented their findings to the House Health & Welfare Committee last week - to a very curious and welcoming audience. Every committee member asked questions and promised to assist in future legislation for this fragile population. Detailed article on the hearing here, and you can read the full report here.
As you may have seen, we presented the first ever bill to any state legislature to decriminalize sex work (prostitution) in Louisiana. The amount of energy, emotion, and courage by the people who testified to the Criminal Justice Committee was truly impressive. I am thankful to Rep. Ted James for his respectful handling of the hearing. The Capitol Building was buzzing that day. (And if you want to order a shirt, they will have more soon!)
THE ORLEANS DELEGATION
Rep. Matthew Willardis moving full steam ahead withlegislationthat would help alleviate theproperty tax burdenon Orleans homeowners. I'm happy to be co-sponsoring this legislation with him and Rep. Stephanie Hilferty.
Rep. Freemanhas been a busy bee as well. Her bill to assist domestic violence victimsend a leaseis sitting on the Governor's desk, andHB 7, which would repeal thePink Tax, is up for a vote this week.
Rep. Candace Newellhas a pending marijuanadecrim bill in the House, and had a very closeloss on passage of theCrown Actlast week (she may be able to get the chamber to reconsider thistimelylegislation).
