From the Louisiana Partnership for Children & Families

Dear Child Advocate,

We are well beyond the mid-way point of the session regular session. It must end no later than 6 p.m. on June 28th.   

This week, we anticipate that the EITC (earned income tax credit) bill,  SB 341 by Lydia Jackson will be heard on the Senate floor and we anticipate that the school readiness tax credit will be heard in the House Ways and Means Committee sometime this week.  House Bill 1, the General Appropriations Bill, is still in the Senate Finance Committee where it remains under consideration.  On Saturday, the Committee took public comment. Many groups presented their financial needs, including the Assembly on School Based Health Centers who asked for $1.474 million to expand school based health centers across Louisiana and pay for four sites that are currently in operation.  Also, there was a pitch by the pediatricians and ob doctors to increase the Medicaid reimbursement to 100% of Medicare rates and from Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana for support of a state-wide Internet Safety Education initiative.  

The Louisiana Partnership for Children & Families will keep you posted as to further legislative developments. 

Thank you for your continued support and interest in these issues that will better the lives of our children and families.