From the Senator

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Gerald Boudreaux

337-267-7520 (o)

State Senator Gerald Boudreaux and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Faith Community will dedicate a memorial area, bless white flags and pray for the members of our community that have died from the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The ceremony will be held on Sunday, January 31, 2021, at the church located at 818 – 12th Street beginning at 12:45 p.m.  All attendees are requested to wear a mask follow social distancing guidelines.

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Senator Boudreaux’s statement on the Incident at the Capitol

Senator Gerald Boudreaux’s Statements on the January 6, 2021 Incident at the Capitol

I have intentionally waited one week before I responded to the horrific INSURRECTION that took place at our nation’s Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Every family has an impactful experience and/or story from 2020, which will go down in history as a dark and difficult year.  As we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been the cause of over 390,000 deaths in our country, some leaders found comfort in politicizing an election that was decided over a month ago.  As a result of their negligence, five more people died after being coerced to gather, attack and destroy our nation’s Capitol, our symbol of DEMOCRACY.  This mass delusionary event was violent with deadly consequences and will be fully investigated by our federal authorities.

I want to commend Senator Bill Cassidy for his fortitude and leadership, with all of the chaos in our country he followed his moral compass which places people above party and politics.  For those who are leaders and engineered, recruited and remained complicit as this INSURRECTION took place, their day of reckoning will come.  They are now attempting to backslide and backtrack but they will be held accountable for their actions and their words.  Our country has been divided for years and “denial” has been the order of the day.  Our deficit has skyrocketed out of control and those fiscal hawks of the past have remained silent.  We cannot have it both ways.  We have allowed the rhetoric to get out of control.  Now when the INSURRECTION happens, we attempt to condone the false truths but denounce the violence.  They are one in the same and you cannot extinguish a fire that you started by pouring gasoline on the deck. 

The Double standard and misleading dialogue by those we empower must come to an end.  I have said previously that those of us who has received the vote and trust of the electorate; must serve, lead, or get the hell out of the way.  How many more dark days must we endure with the hypocrisy and labeling of hard working citizens as socialists, patriot or any other title?  Let us be defined by our actions and our ability to unite and not divide.  To serve and not destroy DEMOCRACY.

Pope Francis speaks of service on a regular basis.  Let us pray that our leaders project an image that allows all of us to follow with Christian values at all times, even when we experience defeat.  For we know in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

As we continue the transition of power at the federal level, let us reflect on our state and our community.  How can we return the honor and dignity of DEMOCRACY?  How do we incorporate the Beatitudes in our healing process?  Remember  the Beatitudes teach us how to “be peace,” not just be at peace, but to become that instrument of peace so that it can positively impact the quality of life for all of our citizens.

I will join my prayers with yours as we transition in the next chapter of life in this country; the rhetoric must stop for the healing to take place.  God bless America, God bless Louisiana, and may God bless our elected leaders as we celebrate the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday weekend and the upcoming inauguration ceremonies.

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Governor Edwards extends Phase 2 and recommends businesses to operate remotely.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2021
Contact:
govpress@la.gov

Gov. Edwards Extends Louisiana’s Phase 2 COVID Mitigation Measures, Strongly Recommends Businesses Move to Remote Work for Employees

BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards today extended his modified Phase 2 order, keeping COVID mitigation measures in place for another 28 days, and strongly recommended that all businesses in Louisiana move to remote work for as many employees as possible, as COVID cases and hospitalizations surge in Louisiana. The Governor’s statewide mask mandate also stays in place.

“What we are seeing is a huge spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations across the state, putting us in a dangerous position where we are seeing major stress on our health care systems. These continued mitigation measures are completely necessary, but they only work if people follow them. Informal social gatherings are the biggest culprit right now and people need to understand that you should not be spending time with those outside of your household unless it is absolutely necessary,” Gov. Edwards said. “We also strongly recommend that any employer who can should have their employees work from home whenever possible. We are very fortunate to live in a time when we have the technology to do many things from the safety of our own home that wouldn’t have been possible just a few years ago. Let’s take advantage of that technology in order to slow the spread.

“These are the things we were doing at the start of the pandemic. But as things have gone on, people have gotten more lax. It’s time to buckle down with what we know works, and that’s wearing masks, social distancing, staying at home when you are ill and keeping to your own household.”

The Governor’s new order expires on February 10, 2021.

  • Click here to read the Governor’s order.
  • Click here to read the order on legal deadlines and suspensions.
  • Click here to see data related to Louisiana’s third surge from today’s media briefing.

Louisiana’s COVID-19 restrictions include the below:

  • All Louisianans are encouraged to avoid gatherings of individuals not part of their households.
  • All businesses, private and public sectors, should have as many employees work from home as they can.
  • All restaurants are limited to 50% of their indoor capacity. Restaurants should move as much dining outdoors as they can. Social distancing is required.
  • For bars in parishes above 5% positivity, bars are closed to indoor sales and consumption but open for outdoor consumption at tables only and at 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people. Social distancing is required. Take-out and delivery will still be available.
  • Retail businesses may open at 50% capacity, except for essential businesses, as defined by federal guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
  • Gyms may be open at 50% of their capacity.
  • Places of worship will remain at a maximum of 75% of their capacity or the number of people who can physically distance with at least six feet between each immediate household, whichever is less.
  • Barber and beauty shops, and nail salons may open at 50% of their capacity.
  • Movie theaters may open at 50% of their capacity.
  • Indoor gatherings at event/receptions centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 75 individuals.
  • Outdoor gatherings at event/reception centers are limited to 25% capacity or up to 150 individuals when strict physical distancing is not possible.
  • All sporting events will be capped at 25% capacity.

Louisiana’s statewide mask mandate is still in place. For complete guidance on the new Phase 2, visit the Open Safely portal at opensafely.la.gov.

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Article from National Catholic Reporter

Sackcloth and ashes should not be out of the question, but it will take more than a confession.

News Release via Louisiana Workforce Commission

See below an informative FAQS sheet via LAWorks.net answering the most asked unemployment insurance questions

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Activities Suspended

State Senator and former Parks and Recreation Department Director recently announced that the local committee has SUSPENDED all martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday activities and programs for 2021.

For the past thirty-five years, the local organizing committee has coordinated a weekend of activities, programs, and events in conjunction with the federal holiday commemorating the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Due to Covid-19 pandemic and for the safety of all members of our community, we will follow all of the CDC and State guidelines and recommendations for 2021. 

 We ask and encourage that in light of the recent INSURRECTION of our Nation’s Capitol that we all take time to reflect on non-violent and peaceful messages that Dr. King preached and alternately died for on April 4, 1968.  His “I Have a Dream” speech and his many writings including his letter from the Birmingham jail in 1963 is the true measure of his courage and wisdom.  The speeches and leadership cemented Dr. King’s legacy which led to Time magazine naming him “Man of the Year” and in 1964 became the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

The committee request that all members of the community celebrate by providing “Service” on January 18, 2021.  We challenge our churches to allowing programming (in-person or remotely) that will reflect a day on and not a day off.  We ask that we continue to follow all of the recommended guidelines of social distancing, frequently washing of our hands and wearing of a face covering/mask to avoid the spread of this deadly virus.  We also support the taking of the vaccine when it becomes available to all of our citizens.

We pray that everyone remains healthy and safe.  We promise to return to our activities and programs as soon as it is safe for all to attend.

May God continue to bless you and your families.  Stay Safe!

SENATE MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING OF TERM, DISCUSSES CHALLENGES AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE FOR ASSISTANCE

The Senate Select Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs held its first meeting and began hearing from state agencies on the challenges facing the state’s veterans and military personnel and the programs available to assist them. The committee, chaired by Senator Gerald Boudreaux (D-Lafayette), kicked off its meeting by broadening its name.

Once known as the Committee on Veterans Affairs, the committee felt it appropriate to broaden its name to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs to ensure that issues facing active military personnel are also included in the committee’s scope.

“This meeting is the committee’s first step in taking a more active role in all things concerning veterans and active military personnel,” said Chairman Boudreaux. “I want to thank President Cortez and Senator Reese for their role in making the change. We are sincere and serious about the providing the best resources available to our state heroes. We are here for you.”

The Select Committee on Military and Veterans is tasked with providing recommendations and direction concerning Louisiana veterans and military issues to the Louisiana Senate. It is composed of seven members – Chairman Boudreaux and Senators Reese, Carter, Cathey, Foil, Milligan, and Tarver.

“Our veterans and servicemen and women are the pride of our nation and state,” said Senator Reese. “It is the goal of this committee to ensure that each and everyone one of them have access to everything they need to lead healthy, happy, and successful lives.”

Members of the committee received an overview from the Department of Veterans, as well as Louisiana Economic Development, on available programs, ongoing challenges and upcoming events. A summary of the Senate’s Military Family Day event was also provided to the committee.

Paving the Way for a Healthier Louisiana

Louisiana Medicaid serves nearly 1.6 million Louisianans, approximately 35 percent of the state’s population. In 2012, Louisiana Medicaid initiated a managed care delivery model to provide better care and better health outcomes for Medicaid recipients. Today, managed care organizations (MCO) deliver healthcare services to more than 90 percent of all recipients. The MCO contracts provide specified Medicaid core benefits and services to children and adults enrolled in Louisiana Medicaid. The current contracts expire in December 2019. As such, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) in January 2019 for its Medicaid managed care contracts for services effective in January 2020.

LDH is committed to transforming its Medicaid managed care program to provide better care and better health for its enrollees. LDH plans to hold public forums across the state in March 2018 to present and receive input on its vision for the future and key design elements under consideration as it looks ahead to the next procurement cycle. This vision and key design elements under consideration are outlined in the white paper below. All meetings are open to the public.

Rebuilding Together Acadiana

Rebuilding Together Acadiana is a non-profit organization supported entirely by contributions of time, labor, material and money. The organization is dedicated to repairing homes of those who, due to financial hardship, age, and/or disability, cannot do the work themselves. Skilled and unskilled volunteers along with able-bodied members of the recipient’s family and friends complete the repairs, with the homeowner contributing 5% of overall materials cost.
 
To be eligible for consideration in the program, you must:
– Own and live in your home (we do not work on mobile homes*)
– Be elderly and/or disabled
– Be low income based on federal guidelines.
 
The next scheduled rebuilding work day is set for April of 2019. If you’d like your house to be considered, please complete the application and return it to Rebuilding Together Acadiana as soon as possible. Applications received by November 1, 2018 will receive first consideration. Rebuilding Together builds wheelchair ramps year round, so there is no deadline for that program.
Please include verification of income and proof of homeownership with your application. Your application can not be processed until all documentation is turned in. The best documents to serve as proof are copies of the following:
– Proof of Ownership: Cash Sale/Bill of Sale or Property Taxes
– Proof of Income: SSI Benefit Statements, US Treasury Checks or Pay Stub
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering with Rebuilding Together Acadiana, there are still projects that could use your help! For more information, please email us: karleigh.rtacadiana@gmail.com or call us: (337) 291-9910.

Childcare Association of Louisiana: November 7, 2017

Today, the Louisiana Department of Education unveiled a new interactive website called Louisiana School Finder.  It contains performance ratings for public schools and licensed early learning centers (commonly referred to as daycare centers). The early learning centers in the state of Louisiana who are included on the newly launched Louisiana School Finder website are to be commended for participating in the Louisiana Department of Education Type III licensure category.  There are many high-quality Type I (church-based) and Type II early learning centers providing early care and education to infants and toddlers, including 3 and 4-year-old children.  Early learning centers who participate in Type III are centers who accept families who qualify for Child Care Assistance.

“We are very proud of the members of the Childcare Association of Louisiana, who are working extremely hard to ensure that quality early childhood education is accessible for ALL children at all ages,” said Jonathan Pearce, President of the Childcare Association of Louisiana.  “CCAL also believes strongly that children should be cared for and educated in developmentally appropriate settings”.

The real action is on the Top Gains Honor Roll where childcare centers across the state improved their performance ratings with very little to no additional funds from the state of Louisiana.  Early learning centers are highly regulated by a multitude of state agencies, to ensure that children are taken care of and educated in developmentally appropriate settings. These regulatory requirements are from the Louisiana Department of Education, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Louisiana State Police and the Louisiana Workforce Commission.

“Act 3 which required licensed early learning centers who accept public subsidies that help working families – a minimum 30 hour requirement to be enrolled in school or working,  is an unfunded mandate on Type III childcare providers to meet stringent accountability standards set forth by the Louisiana Department of Education”, said Alan Young, legislative chairman of the Childcare Association of Louisiana. However, licensed child care centers across the state have stepped up to the plate to ensure that children who are in their care are being adequately prepared for kindergarten.

The premise of Act 3 was to level the playing field and equalize the funding streams for all children and their families who receive public funds for early childhood education.  This included the LA4 program, head start programs, the NSECD program and childcare centers that accept families who qualify for the federally funded Child Care Assistance subsidy.

The Childcare Association of Louisiana is a statewide, nonprofit organization that represents the needs of the childcare profession and the children and their families that they serve.