NON-TRADITIONAL DELIVERY— The Louisiana Legislature in Baton Rouge opened its regular session at noon yesterday. Among this year’s agenda items include debates on taxes, sports betting, transgender rights and other issues beyond the coronavirus’ aftermath. Governor John Bel Edwards didn't give the traditional session speech in the House chamber instead he spoke Monday evening from a make-shift stage just beyond the end-zone at Southern University’s A.W. Mumford stadium, a venue chosen because of Coronavirus concerns.
“Usually, as you know, I would be in front of a joint session of the legislature in the House Chamber, but I spoke to Speaker Clay Schexnayder and President Page Cortez and decided to change the venue in order to keep everyone safe and adhere to current CDC guidelines,” Edwards explained
It was a year ago as Edwards was about to open the traditional “State of the State” address in the House Chamber that Louisiana reported its first case of Covid-19. After his opening remarks yesterday Edwards called on lawmakers to address inequities exposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and encouraged people to take advantage of Louisiana’s Covid-19 vaccination program which is continuing to expand.
“A couple weeks ago, we opened up COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 or older,” Edwards said. “We have three extremely safe and effective vaccines that are the ticket to ending this pandemic, and on Friday of this week, we’ll open our first Federally supported Community Vaccination Center in Baton Rouge. What a difference a year makes!”
"So my message to the Legislature is simple: pass a bill. Get it on my desk. I'll sign it." Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana
Edwards acknowledged frontline workers who kept grocery stores, schools, and restaurants open during the pandemic. He called on lawmakers to work on raising Louisiana’s minimum wage currently set at $7.25 per hour, a pay-rate that has remain unchanged since 2009.
“This year, instead of including a specific minimum wage bill in my package, I am supporting any and all efforts to raise the minimum wage.," Edwards said. "So my message to the Legislature is simple: pass a bill. Get it on my desk. I’ll sign it.”
Other items Governor Edwards urged lawmakers to focus on closing gender wage gaps, increasing teacher’s pay, promoting bills to improve reporting Title IX violations at college campuses, increase early childhood education, and work to increase better health outcomes in Louisiana.
