Today in The Rundown: State lawmakers weigh changes to investigating doctors; Senate shoots down assault weapons bill; 'Raise the Age' may be delayed; and more news in Louisiana politics today.
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Countdown…
Days until the 2018 regular legislative session must end: 54
The News
Doctors: State lawmakers have been receptive to sweeping changes to how doctors are investigated when accused of misconduct but a national advocacy group has raised red flags. http://bit.ly/2GO6hsO PDF: Here's the letter that D.C.-based Public Citizen has penned to lawmakers voicing concerns: http://bit.ly/2GNQVZq
Juvenile justice: Though four 17-year-olds recently have been raped in adult jails, a Louisiana Senate committee accepted arguments Tuesday that the state simply can’t afford to start the two-year-old law that would put offenders that age into juvenile facilities. http://bit.ly/2v6AwtE
Guns: After a big push from gun rights supporters, the Senate overwhelmingly rejected legislation that would prevent people younger than 21 from purchasing certain firearms deemed "assault weapons." http://bit.ly/2v3KfB1
Transportation: A second push to craft uniform rules for Uber and Lyft, and expand ride-sharing service to rural areas has cleared the House Transportation Committee. http://bit.ly/2EAXF77
Death penalty: Legislation that would abolish the death penalty in Louisiana is advancing to the Senate for consideration. http://bit.ly/2v0YS8g
Baton Rouge: State Rep. Pat Smith has been on a crusade to make the Legislature a more accommodating place to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. http://bit.ly/2GOf51Q
Congress: U.S. Sen. John Kennedy had only a brief questioning window late in the day, but he still managed to lob some of the more direct questions Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg fielded during Tuesday's congressional hearing. http://bit.ly/2EAVu3r
Happening today
House and Senate convene at 2 p.m.
House Committees
- Administration of Criminal Justice meets at 9 a.m. in Room 6.
- Health and Welfare meets at 9 a.m. in Room 5.
- Natural Resources and Environment meets at 9 a.m. in Room 4.
- Education meets at 9:30 a.m. in Room 1.
- House and Governmental Affairs meets at 9:30 a.m. in Room 2.
Senate Committees
- Health and Welfare meets at 10 a.m. in John J. Hainkel, Jr. Room.
- Insurance meets at 10 a.m. in Room A-B.
- Senate and Governmental Affairs meets at 12:30 p.m. in Room F.
Tweet beat
We were honored to have Louisiana House Speaker Taylor Barras give an update on the Legislative Session to our State Board members in Baton Rouge this morning. #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/e6gBJfRJ5C
— LRA (@LaRestAssoc) April 10, 2018
Connor before his waiver: coma like sleep due to constant respiratory distress and illnesses, admitted to CHNOLA monthly, enrolled in hospice. Connor after his waiver: awake, alert, healthy and happy in his home with his family. Waivers save worthy lives. #lalege #lagov pic.twitter.com/9E3GiyKx08
— Katie Corkern (@KatieCorkern) April 10, 2018
On Monday I voted to free the florists, today I voted to free the fishermen, what will I vote to free tomorrow? #lalege #lagov
— Raymond Crews (@raymondcrewsla) April 10, 2018
@LATech SGA President, Ben Rice, @LADeltaCC SGA President, Zachary Hitt, and @NichollsState SGA President, Austin Wendt, also testifying during House Appropriations for higher education. >> #ElevateLouisiana pic.twitter.com/2K6EfaHjhD
— LA Board of Regents (@LA_Regents) April 10, 2018
Senate has decided to send harassment bills back to S&GA Committee for more work, after panel sent conflicting bills in need of amendments to the floor. #lalege #lagov https://t.co/UNf0bcCqFX
— Elizabeth Crisp (@elizabethcrisp) April 10, 2018
Some of our committed advocates came from Gonzales and spent 5 hours in #lalege House Appropriations to urge their legislators to support more funding for people who live at home. @AARPLouisiana #liveathome #Louisiana pic.twitter.com/F0wrzlfoPX
— Live At Home LA (@LiveAtHomeLA) April 10, 2018
How about making a trip to the Capitol and visiting #lalege #lagov ? https://t.co/ASG3xoxyNK
— Greg Hilburn (@GregHilburn1) April 10, 2018
Many news outlets are posting video of Sen. John Neely Kennedy taking Mark Zuckerberg to task, but nobody has mentioned yet that his 2016 campaign spent almost $32,000 with Facebook on “Electronic Media Expense,” likely targeted advertising. #lagov #lalege #lasen pic.twitter.com/AdVIBASOD1
— Hashtag Louisiana (@HashtagLaCast) April 11, 2018
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