LMR July 2023

More documents

Recommendations

Info

GOVERNOR’S COLUMN We recently wrapped up the last regular session of my second term as governor. I couldn’t help but think back to my first sine die press conference in 2016. The mood that day was much different than it is now. Back then, we were still trying to work through a $2 billion deficit left behind by the previous administration. It took numerous sessions to right the ship, but we did it by working together in a bipartisan fashion. Fast forward to now, and the bulk of the budget discussions this session were spent figuring out how to use surplus and excess dollars. We went from debating how to make up for $2 billion to debating how to appropriate $2 billion. I can tell you from experience, I much prefer the latter to the former. As I said in my opening address to the legislature, promises were made, promises were kept, and progress was delivered. We did that together. The budget that was finally passed contains a $2,000 pay raise for teachers and a $1,000 pay raise for school support workers. That brings the total teacher pay increase in Louisiana since 2019 to $5,300. It also includes funding to waive fees for members of the Louisiana National Guard who attend our public higher education institutions, historic investments in roads, bridges, ports, and historic payments to decrease our debt. Commending You and the Work You Do Those are critical priorities that will be funded at historic levels thanks to the hard work of Democrats, Republicans, and independent Joe Marino. That being said, we didn’t get everything we wanted. I asked for a $3,000 teacher pay raise and $1,500 raise for support workers. We could’ve afforded to do it, but we couldn’t get there this year. I hope Louisiana’s voters ask their legislators to come back next year and keep giving teachers the pay raises they deserve. For as much as we’ve accomplished together, I do think that there’s still too much partisanship poisoning the process. Differences of opinion can be a good thing. That’s how we work through difficult situations and come to a compromise that best serves the people we were elected to serve. But when partisan national talking points that have no bearing on Louisiana interfere with the budget process, that’s not how we can best serve the people of this great state. That’s also why I am disappointed that several bills failed to once again make it through the legislative process, including raising the minimum wage, equal pay, and eliminating the death penalty. I’ve spoken before about how these are all prolife issues that should be embraced in a pro-life state like Louisiana. And while these pieces of legislation will not be passed during my time as governor, I know one day they will. I’m certain of that. I hope and pray that future legislatures do not allow Louisiana to remain behind when it comes to these important quality of life issues. I want to end on a positive note by highlighting some recent progress we’ve made in the state of Louisiana. We celebrated the announcement of a $100 million final investment decision for a renewable fuel facility in Jeanerette. The Delta Biofuel facility is expected to create 275 new jobs for the Acadiana region. As one of the nation’s top producers of sugarcane, producing more than 2 million tons of raw sugar in 2022, it is only fitting that our state will lead the way in the production and export of this new renewable fuel source. Once again, we see how the transition to cleaner energy creates investment, jobs and opportunities across multiple economic sectors and regions of our state. I recently joined the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources in announcing that 300 orphan well sites have been plugged in the first four-and-a-half months of work funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The contractors and their crews have set a record pace for orphaned well plugging in our state, helping us take advantage of the opportunity presented by having such a large inflow of available funding. We’re using BIL (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) funding to make transformational investments across Louisiana, and I appreciate the work that Dept. of Nat- Gov. John Bel Edwards ural Resources Sec. Harris, his team, and the contractors are doing to ensure this crucial work is off to a strong start. I would also like to congratulate the 13 college students who have been chosen to participate in the Lamar Governor’s Fellowship Program. This opportunity will allow these students to gain firsthand knowledge about the development and implementation of public policy as well as the state’s rich history and current affairs of Louisiana government. These students represent the next generation of Louisiana’s leaders, and our goal is to provide them with an invaluable learning experience and help them understand their vital role in our state’s future. If you want to learn more about these remarkable students, visit gov.louisiana.gov for more information. I cannot speak about leaders in public service without commending you and the work you do for your municipalities. Thank you for working alongside us to achieve a better Louisiana, and God bless. Page 6 LMR | JULY 2023
TREASURY NOTES Making Electronic Payments Possible at State Agencies I have been advocating for state agencies to expand their payment options, and I feel now is the time to make it happen. I’m tired of hearing all the reasons it can’t be done or how much it’s going to cost. This isn’t about what’s convenient for the government to do, it’s about doing what’s best for taxpayers. I have requested that the Louisiana Cash Management Review Board (CMRB) craft a comprehensive plan with implementation deadlines for all state agencies to accept electronic payment options such as Venmo and PayPal. This is about efficiency and With the arrival of the 2023 hurricane season, the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) is hopeful that this season will be similar to the relatively quiet and uneventful season we experienced in 2022. As we ready ourselves for this new hurricane season, the LDI encourages everyone to review their overall hurricane preparedness and replenish their hurricane emergency supplies. As part of emergency preparedness, every municipality should review and examine its insurance policies and verify that all National Flood Insurance Program (NIP) policies are in place and cover up to the maximum amount of insurance offered for all municipality-owned facilities made the subject of a previous Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. customer service for Louisiana citizens. The state’s current merchant services contract provides the option of accepting digital payments with a cost similar to the cost of accepting credit cards. However, there 5121, et seq.) grant. Coverage verification is critical, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may conclude that a municipality is ineligible to receive a Stafford Act grant due to the may be upfront costs related to changing an agency’s integrated software so that when payments are received electronically, the payment activates the agency’s network to process, for example, the fishing license that was purchased. After a request from the agency and an approved recommendation from my office, the House and Senate must approve any convenience fees before agencies can charge them to citizens. Later this summer, a plan for shifting to statewide agency electronic payment acceptance will be presented to the full CMRB. municipality’s failure to obtain and maintain adequate NIP flood insurance on facilities included in a prior FEMA grant. John Schroder, State Treasurer I look forward to a day in the near future, when electronic payments, beyond credit cards, are accepted at all state agencies. Stafford Act: Obtain and Maintain Insurance Obligations As part of emergency preparedness, every municipality should review and examine its insurance policies. Jim Donelon Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Insurance Municipalities in 63 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes previously requested and received a Stafford Act FEMA grant. Each of these municipalities should take a moment to verify that they comply with the statutory obligation to obtain and maintain property insurance for the full amount of the FEMA grant for the peril that caused the previous damage. Any municipality that is unable to obtain and maintain property insurance for the full amount of the FEMA grant, must apply to our office for an Insurance Commissioner Certification (also referred to as an “ICC”), requesting a reduction to the amount of insurance required by law. Please alert every municipality of this critical issue, and if you have any questions concerning the obtain and maintain requirement or need further assistance, please contact Deputy Commissioner Chuck Myers by phone at (225) 342-5203, or electronically at chuck.myers@ldi.la.gov. LMR | JULY 2023 Page 7
Page 1 and 2: 0 7 . 2 3 Louisiana MUNICIPAL REVIE
Page 3 and 4: C O N T E N T S | J U l y 2 0 2 3 D
Page 5: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A Loving Fare
Page 9 and 10: 2018 Roster Edition Official Public
Page 11 and 12: Weatherization Assistance Program H
Page 13 and 14: ALWAYS ON FOR YOU. JOHN M. SCHRODER
Page 15 and 16: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION LMR | JULY
Page 17 and 18: in the building of the brand. But t
Page 19 and 20: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION The old Ghe
Page 21 and 22: There’s something on offer to del
Page 23 and 24: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION Louisiana M
Page 25 and 26: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION LMR | JULY
Page 27 and 28: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION Bronze Spon
Page 29 and 30: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION LOUISIANA M
Page 31 and 32: 86 TH ANNUAL CONVENTION G R E E T I

LMR July 2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?