Legislative Update: 5/2/2019

THANKS TO LRTA MEMBERS WHO RESPONDED TO OUR CALL TO ACTION THIS WEEK ON HB 28 AND SCR 3. YOUR EFFORTS WORKED!

This was a very exciting week at the Louisiana legislature. We know many of you are still winding down from the 2019 Spring Meeting. The following is an update on the bills introduced this week and their outcomes in committees.

HB 19 – Representative Kevin Pearson introduced HB19 to the House Retirement Committee on May 2. This bill would require payment of the IUAL from the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP). LRTA supported the bill. The bill failed to pass on a vote of 2 yeas and 5 nays.

SCR 3 – Senator Dan “Blade” Morrish proposed SCR 3 that would provide for the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) which includes $101 million for teacher and support staff pay raises and an additional $39 million to school districts. This is the original HCR 1 MFP Resolution presented by BESE to the House Education Committee. The Senate Education Committee heard the resolution on May 2. SCR 3 passed with a 6-1 vote. Senator Conrad Appel was the lone “no” vote. The resolution now moves on to the Senate floor for debate.

I want to take this time to thank our members for their continued support. I informed our membership about SCR 3 yesterday and encouraged everyone to contact committee members. We know your efforts to pass SCR 3 where heard based on the resounding positive vote!

Stay tuned as we continue to monitor HB 28 by Representative Barry Ivey. The House Retirement Committee was scheduled to hear this proposed legislation on May 2; however, the bill was pulled from the agenda. I feel certain your response to our call to action was influential on this bill being pulled this week. Please stay vigilant as I suspect the bill may come back to the committee soon. LRTA will continue to closely monitor this bill. Please be prepared to take action and to contact committee members to OPPOSE HB 28!

Regards,

Rodney R. Watson