By Greg LaRose | Editor-in-Chief
The horizon looks like it’s about to be dramatically altered for those seeking a career in plumbing in Louisiana.
Louisiana lawmakers have advanced a proposal that would overhaul the state’s methods of licensing plumbers. (Wes Muller/LAI)
By Wes Muller
A measure to reorganize the state’s plumbing board and significantly reduce the time it takes to become a fully licensed plumber in Louisiana has cleared a major hurdle, much to the disappointment of some plumbing professionals who feel the years of training are essential.
People shop for groceries at a Walmart store in Ohio. New research suggests SNAP work requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance. (Marty Schladen/OCJ)
By Kevin Hardy
As states enact stricter work requirements for the federal food stamp program, a new analysis suggests those requirements won’t enhance employment and will push more people off of food assistance. The researchers conducted a review of studies on work requirements and concluded that “the best evidence shows they do not increase employment. Moreover, this research finds work requirements cause a large decrease in participation in SNAP.”
Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, right, listens to a question from Sen. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, inset, about Morris’ proposal to reduce the number of judges in Orleans Parish. (Louisiana Legislature video screenshot)
By Katy Reckdahl, The Lens
A report filed in March raises crucial questions about the data behind proposed legislative cuts to the Orleans Parish judiciary. Submitted to the Louisiana Supreme Court by the Orleans Parish District Clerk of Court, it shows that the legislature is considering only half of the defendants who move through the courthouse
By Safura Syed, Verite
A resolution urging the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to incorporate content standards that include prenatal development into statewide school curriculum is scheduled for debate Monday in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Critics say that the resolution mirrors efforts in other Republican-led states to introduce anti-abortion material into public school curriculum.
COMMENTARY
By Ben Baltz
Louisiana has elected its leaders under an open system for decades, over countless election cycles, without problems. Now, for seemingly no reason, we are moving away from that proven model supported by 80% of Louisianans toward a restrictive, confusing system for our most important offices.
NEWS FROM THE STATES
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