Legislative Review 2013: Mid-Year Update House of Representatives – District 10 – Gene Reynolds The State of Louisiana legislators are currently in legislative package formation period, which means we are intently listening, discussing, planning, and developing for the 2014 Session. There are multiple local and state issues being discussed while we attempt to develop potential solutions for proposal. I discuss some of these issues below. Budget: Once again, our State’s budget is at the top of the list of everyone’s concerns. Despite efforts made to find solutions, we ended this past session with yet more compromises. Compromises can be a good way to work together; but when we walk away with problems yet unsolved we must try, try again to get the job done, piece by piece. Several legislators met in New Orleans in August to discuss last session’s budget reforms and begin the process for this next session. We plan to bring a “House Version” budget yet again to the table when we meet for the next session. We are pushing for a constitutional budget based on real revenue and priorities. I think that mid-year budget cuts are a real possibility because once again some of the “what ifs” our compromises were hinged on have not materialized as of now. An example of this can be seen in the privatization of hospitals, which will not yield the level of savings that was predicted for this year. It continues to be my stance (and financial experts agree) that the only way to fix problems with our budget is to un-dedicate some funds so that the State’s budget is more flexible. This is one way that I expect the “House Version” budget will propose we achieve a balanced budget. Education: Educational reforms are usually about money and politics; and this one is no different. While the judges, politicians, and vendors all fight it out, there are still details left to be worked out by those truly looking at the educational benefits to our students. It is these details that will allow schools to function in this new world; and will hopefully move our reform process forward. There are three main issues that need our attention: uniformity of preschool standards, vocational education for high school, and common core curriculum. There are many preschool programs—some better than others. The best of standards must be used to make certain that our students have the needed skills for entering first grade. By the third grade, they must be on track to thrive. Research shows that the most successful high school students have strong preschool backgrounds. Implementing uniformity of standards in the very beginning is key to starting each student off on the right—and best—foot. There is an initiative by Department of Education to do this; and we need to support these efforts. There is a truth that many of us seem to ignore or overlook. Statistically, most of our students here in Louisiana will never attend a four year college; and many will not graduate. Therefore, we must stop attempting to change this statistic altogether; and start addressing the need. Encouragement to all of our students is a must—and there are many excellent students who take a different path to success; and those who fall off the path because there is not a path that suits them. It is time we create a variety of paths—for the college-bound, the technical, and the vocational. We need to create the work forces needed for new companies coming to Louisiana! We must have a solid career path for those students who choose not to go the college-route. Plans are being finalized to allow eleventh and twelfth grade students access to community college and vocational colleges as a part of their high school career curriculum. If this plan is allowed to grow, we will have an opportunity to lower drop-out rates dramatically; and give students with dreams and ideas that have been overlooked for years a vision of what they can accomplish at a younger age. This new program would be true education reform; not just political games. I will continue to strongly support these efforts and encourage your support of this concept. We have had federal intervention in our schools for a long time. For example, “No Child Left Behind” was a federal program that mandated new curriculums, tests, accountability, and other procedures. The end result of that was good—and bad. While it did bring up student scores and made schools more aware of where they ranked among other schools, these techniques and processes made everyone “teach to the test.” We have become products of the almighty test score. In other words, we have been producing very good test takers—but not very good thinkers—and yielding a poorly trained work force. The real test of a school’s efficiency is in the answer to this question: “Where are the graduates, professionally, five years later?” The powers that be made a decision in 2010: out with No Child Left Behind and in with Common Core (to be implemented three years later.) Common Core is essentially a national curriculum with some local options. Once again, we have the good—and the bad. On one hand, this program calls for higher standards and puts higher thinking skills back into curriculum rather than strictly memorization. Also available to teachers in this program is the control to speed up or slow down as needed, and to expand and generally shape the curriculum (with guidelines) to the needs of their class. However, there are questions about some parts of the curriculum that do not fit our state or region. If federal issues become real problems, we can work to fix that with legislative or BESE action. Since 2010, the schools in Louisiana have bought materials, supplies, and equipment; we have trained teachers, and prepared for Common Core. This will be the first year statewide that we have moved from one program to another; and with the political winds we currently have, it has come at a high cost and with confusion. I encourage our students, educators, and parents to finish this year, take a look at the pros and cons, and let me hear from you. This way we can work to fix what needs fixing while building a long-term program that will produce the kind of graduates that will enhance our society and make sense in our system and communities. Current Hot Topics: 1) Joint Insurance Committee Meeting: In this committee we are looking at problems and issues for possible solutions via proposed legislation for next session. A couple of the issues being discussed include current regulations for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP.) Our job on the Committee is not to accept or reject the ACA; but rather to help determine how to administer the program with the best outcomes for Louisiana. The current deadline of October 1st for uninsured or under-insured individuals to enroll for their healthcare plan processes is fast approaching. “Navigators” will be making community visits to assist people in determining what plan is best suitable for them. In Committee, we have reviewed and approved the process by which they will assist people in navigating the ACA. Look for information in your local press about their visits to this area. If you need additional information, feel free to call my office to discuss. The ACA is the law, and I will do my best to serve those citizens who are interested in this program so that they do not get lost in process. Our role as legislators is to ensure that those that participate follow the legal procedures that have been put into place by the Federal government. The NFIP is also a major issue affecting owners of property in flood-zones. Huge payment increases are looming, as homeowners will no longer be paying deferred rates—but actuary rates. Most are currently paying only 25% of the actuary cost, and will see an increase to 100% over the next few years. New buyers will pay actuary rates immediately; and this is already affecting the real estate market, particularly in coastal areas. However, Bossier Parish has a very large percentage of NFIP home-owners, so these changes will be affecting some of us right here at home. 2) Joint Retirement Committee Meeting: At some point we have to sit at the table and solve the problem of run-away retirement costs. There have been many solutions presented; but so far nothing has been constitutional, fair, or has fully addressed the costs to the state, school boards, and municipalities. I am hopeful the dialogue will begin this year so we may discuss real solutions. 3) Lake Bistineau Giant Salvinia: On September 26th at 6p.m. in Doyline we will have an important public meeting to discuss a new comprehensive plan that is on the table. Louisiana is water. Our state and culture is centered on water and related activities. Yet, we have one of the most invasive aquatic weeds on the planet right here in our state—and centered here at Lake Bistineau. Giant Salvinia is now in 40 lakes and rivers in Louisiana and has been found as far south as Terrebonne Parish and Lake Charles. It is evolving to survive in brackish waters, making problems even worse for our state. It is a detrimental problem that must be addressed with aggressive action. Right now there is no known method to completely eliminate the weed; but there are more dynamic and proactive structures and biological processes that can greatly reduce the coverage, impede its reproduction, and hopefully lead to eventual eradication. I invite you to please come to the meeting for details from the experts and open discussion about these methods. Legislative Package Deadline: My office is now preparing our legislative package for District 10. I will be meeting with mayors, industrial park board of directors, school officials, tourism offices, and chambers of commerce in both Webster and Bossier parishes. I welcome any ideas and input from private citizens, as well. Capital Outlay project deadlines are approaching so please submit proposals soon, but no later than January 1, 2014. We will then develop rough drafts of our ideas and will have legislative staff prepare our concerns in the proper posture. Please call 318-371-3097 for an appointment, or email me at [email protected] to submit your ideas, concerns, and needs.
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 02:12:27 +0000
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