Lawmakers discuss upcoming session at NCBW/Links event

3rd February 2014   ·   0 Comments

Louisiana Weekly Staff Report

A handful of legislators from the Greater New Orleans area recently weighed in on matters that could appear before Louisiana lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session, which convenes on March 10.

Senators Conrad Appel, R-Metairie, J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, Karen Carter Peterson, D-New Orleans, and Rep. Jared Brossett, D-New Orleans, stated their positions on matters such as education, economic development and health during a legislative breakfast hosted by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Greater New Orleans Chapter (NCBW) and the New Orleans and Pontchartrain chapters of The Links Incorporated.

“Our elected officials must be held accountable to the constituents and laws that they enact that govern our lives,” NCBW Chair Centrell Alfred-Ewell, said during opening remarks.

The purpose of the event was to provide legislators with an opportunity to discuss legislative items that they would propose, support or oppose in the forthcoming legislative session.

Legislators on Medicaid expansion

Sen. Appel said he would not support measures to have Louisiana participate in Medi­caid expansion on account of: distrust in the federal government; concern that the program would grow beyond its intended purpose; and the potential to usurp funds that could be used for higher education or other areas. Appel said he has a “huge concern that this (Medicaid expansion) will grow disproportionately and eat the state alive.”

Sen. Morrell said oversight of Medicaid expansion is important taking into account that funds for other areas such as pension assets have been redirected to other areas. Morrell supports an expansion based upon the Arkansas model that he said funds Medicaid at 90 percent for the first two years and gives the state the option to drop out of the program if it doesn’t work. A bill in support of this died last year, but Morrell said it may reappear this year.

Rep. Brossett said he favors the Arkansas model and pressuring the business community and governor into accepting the measure. He said he’ll propose a constitutional amendment that mirrors one Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, plans to introduce, which would require the state to provide Medicaid for Louisiana’s poor.

Legislators on minimum wage increase

Sen. Morrell favors raising the minimum wage and authoring a bill to do so. He also warned that lawsuits will arise if such a measure passes. “People argue that it’s something only the federal government can do,” he said.

Sen. Appel said the minimum wage should be a federal issue. If implemented, he warned that the cost to offset wage increases could lead to an increase in the cost of products or layoffs. He suggested creating higher paying jobs as an alternative.

Rep. Brossett said he will file a bill to raise minimum wage.

Legislators on Common Core State Standards Initiative

Rep Brossett said, “We have to continue to implement Common Core.” He said he’s spoken with teachers who say the basis of the standards is to “get children to think critically.”

Sen. Carter Peterson said she would have to see legislation prior to taking a stance. Conceptually, she agrees with the notion of standards but believes the implementation of Common Core as rolled out by Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) is not fair.

Sen. Morrell said Common Core is essential to education reform and equipping students to be able to compete internationally.

Sen. Appel said Common Core is one of the most important initiatives in Louisiana and is “simply a set of standards.

Legislators on equal pay for women

Sen. Carter Peterson believes in pay equity and said increasing the number of women who successfully run for elected office can help with this issue.

Sen. Morrell said equal pay is a matter that has to be addressed. He supports more services to youth, initiatives that help struggling parents and making social services programs more accessible.

Sen. Appel expressed concerns after learning that changes could put some women who earn more in pay brackets with men who earn less. He said that there is a bill coming up the pipeline that he may be able to support.

Rep. Brossett said he supports pushing further with equal pay for women and is a champion for reproductive rights.

Legislators on sex education

Sen. Appel said his focus is on education as a whole.

Rep. Brossett said he “wholeheartedly” supports Planned Pa­rent­hood.

Sen. Carter Peterson said she supports sex education with a caveat. “Schools can’t be all things to all people,” she said.

Legislators on incarceration

Sen. Carter Peterson said she supports programs, initiatives or boot camps that can reduce recidivism and serve as alternatives to incarceration.

Sen. Appeal said there needs to be leadership in the area of rebuilding families. “Courts can’t take the place of families. We have a fundamental problem with families,” he said.

Rep. Brossett said he supports alternative programs, expansions to district attorneys’ diversion program, mentorship and the creation of a youth gang prevention task force.

WDSU news anchor Norman Robinson moderated the discussion.

Questions regarding Medicaid expansion, Common Core and minimum wage were prepared by the host agencies in relation to their collective interest in issues pertaining to African-American women and children.

Questions regarding sex education, incarceration and other topics were submitted by attendees.

Editorial Note: Due to arrival and departure times of legislators, responses that do not indicate the position of a particular legislator are indicative of a legislator’s absence at the time a particular question was asked.

This article originally published in the February 3, 2014 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.