As week five of the 11-week legislative session began, the Capitol was a hive of activity. Governor John Bel Edwards testified about Medicaid expansion in the Senate Health committee.
“In the first year alone, expansion’s going to save the state more than 180-million dollars,” the governor said.
Health department staff said even with the state 10-percent match kicking in, state savings over the next decade amount to more than a billion dollars.
The governor also announced: “Enrollment for expansion is set to begin on June first.”
House Appropriations, meanwhile, began two days of public testimony on the budget proposal, HB 1.
“Every day I dress him, give him baths, brush his teeth and change his diapers,” Lori Dahl of Mandeville testified, regarding her ten-year-old son, Jack. “Jack needs assistance with all daily living activities.”
Delarie Rice urged the committee not to impose further cuts on regional human services districts.
“These agencies have seen their budgets reduced repeatedly, including two cuts this year resulting in a direct loss of services in programs often used to help families while they wait years for a waiver.”
Back on the Senate side, Senate Finance debated the funding crisis in indigent defense.
“Which is going to provoke a lawsuit, I’m sure, in federal court to tell the state that they must do X, Y and Z,” remarked committee chair Eric LaFleur.
But Walter Sanchez, a criminal defense attorney from Lake Charles reminded the committee that providing for public defenders is required by state law, as well as federal law.
“’The Legislature shall provide a uniform system of qualified and compensated counsel’. It is the Constitution of this state.”
And on the House floor, a bill to restore concealed-carry rights to previously convicted criminals won unanimous approval.
“Please consider allowing these individuals a second chance by restoring their gun rights, which have been infringed upon these last few years,” urged former “Top Gun” TV show competitor, now state Rep. Blake Miguez.
As busy as they are, not one bill has yet made it through the legislature’s entire process and to the governor’s desk for his signature.