The 2022 regular legislative session officially convened in Baton Rouge on March 14, 2022, with Governor John Bel Edwards kicking off the session with his seventh State of the State address.
Legislators have submitted more than 1,600 bills for this session, taking up a number of issues. A primary focus of many bills deals with medical procedures, including vaccination, as well as education, particularly teacher pay and instruction material. Additionally, legislators are looking to take up a number of bills pertaining to election integrity. That in light of an audit released by the state auditor’s office indicating the department has “practices and procedures in place to ensure election integrity,” but could look at ways to strengthen the election code.
Gov. Edwards started his speech on a hopeful note.
“On March 11, 2020, I signed a public health emergency for COVID-19 and while it changed over time to reflect the ebb and flow of the pandemic, it has remained in effect since then,” Edwards said. “This Wednesday, two days from now, the order expires and after 24 months, I will not be renewing it.”
Though the announcement signals a new page in history for the pandemic. COVID-19 was not the only challenge the state has undergone in the last two years. Natural disasters and economic challenges have highlighted glaring statewide needs, which the governor hopes to address with an influx of federal funds and billions in a budget surplus.
A few of Edward’s budget priorities include $1,500 in teacher pay raises and $1.1 billion dollars for infrastructure. Many members of the Central Louisiana delegation agreed with the governor on the principles of his plan and even many of the specifics he outlined, such as teacher pay raises.
“A salary that’s reflective of the southern region cap is what we ought to be striving for,” said State Sen. Louie Bernard, District 31.
However, the governor did not elicit the same reaction for the allocation of funds towards certain infrastructure projects.
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