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Advocates plead legislators for disability, addiction, domestic violence funding | Louisiana

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-22 14:59:00


The Louisiana Senate Committee on Finance reviewed the proposed $45 billion budget for fiscal year 2026, focusing on education, health, human services, and infrastructure. Advocates for disabilities, addiction recovery, domestic violence survivors, and low-income students urged increased funding for social safety nets. Easter Seals Louisiana requested $465,000 for support services, and People First of Louisiana sought restoration of a $110,000 funding cut. Addiction treatment advocates called for sustained investment, warning of Medicaid rate cuts without it. The Louisiana Association for the Blind requested $11 million, promising a $35 million return. Domestic violence services requested an additional $3 million for shelters. The Pelican Institute advocated for full funding of the GATOR scholarship program.

(The Center Square) − The Louisiana Senate Committee on Finance took testimony Thursday on the state’s proposed $45 billion operating budget for the 2026 fiscal year, hearing directly from advocates for individuals with disabilities, those battling addiction, survivors of domestic violence, and low-income students.

The budget, which includes constitutionally mandated funding for K-12 education, also outlines major appropriations for health, human services, and infrastructure. As lawmakers begin parsing through the spending plan, nonprofit and community leaders are pressing for renewed or increased investments in social safety net programs.

Tracy Garner, president and CEO of Easter Seals Louisiana, a nonprofit providing support to people with disabilities, urged the committee to approve $465,000 in state funding through House Bill 1. The money would go toward support coordination services — a vital link between individuals and the care they need.

Other organizations made similar appeals. Jamie Duplechine, chapter coordinator for People First of Louisiana, asked the committee to restore $110,000 in funding that had been cut from the group, which advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Several people with disabilities testified in support of the organization’s work. Charles Romera also voiced gratitude for a previous $250,000 allocation to the Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council, but noted the funds have yet to be reallocated in the current proposal.

Several advocates and protestors rallied in support of disability services funding.

The behavioral health and addiction treatment community also turned out in force.

Lonnie Granier, policy and advocacy manager at Odyssey House Louisiana−one of the state’s largest behavioral health nonprofits−thanked lawmakers for an additional $10 million in the State General Fund for substance use disorder treatment. 

Granier warned, however, that without sustained investment, “addiction Medicaid rates will be cut” once temporary funding enhancements expire. Granier called on legislators to support $31 million in total for substance use disorder Medicaid treatment rates.

Scottie Thompson, a peer support specialist at Serenity Treatment Center, also testified, requesting recurring funds for addiction services, though did not specify an amount.

Brian Patchett, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association for the Blind, requested an additional $11 million in funding, calling it “an investment that would yield $35 million” in return.

Domestic violence services were also the subject of advocacy.

Mariah Wisneski, executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, noted the Legislature has allocated $7 million in state funds for victim services in the current budget.

She requested an additional $3 million, citing tangible results from past funding: over 200 new shelter beds and 11 outreach offices, many in rural areas.

“Investments from the last two years have been incredibly successful,” Wisneski told the committee.

Also appearing before the panel was Laurie Adams with the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, who asked lawmakers to prioritize full funding for the Louisiana GATOR scholarship program to ensure that all eligible applications are supported.

The post Advocates plead legislators for disability, addiction, domestic violence funding | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article provides a straightforward account of testimony before the Louisiana Senate Committee on Finance regarding the proposed state budget. It reports on the appeals and requests made by various advocacy groups—such as those supporting individuals with disabilities, addiction treatment services, and domestic violence survivors—without endorsing or critiquing their positions. The tone is neutral and factual, offering balanced coverage of the budget’s components and the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. There is no language or framing that indicates an ideological stance or bias; instead, the piece focuses on presenting relevant information about policy discussions and funding priorities in an impartial manner.

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

New Orleans OIG finds NORDC, Foundation non-compliant with audit law

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wgno.com – Raeven Poole – 2025-07-09 14:34:00

SUMMARY: The New Orleans Office of Inspector General reported that the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and the New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation failed to comply with legal audit requirements. NORDC did not provide independent audits for the last three years, despite the City Charter mandating annual independent audits. The Foundation, which receives substantial public funding, also stopped audits in recent years, citing cost savings and lack of federal funds. The OIG recommends both entities comply with financial reporting laws by the end of 2026. NORDC acknowledged the findings and is reviewing its processes to improve transparency and accountability.

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The post New Orleans OIG finds NORDC, Foundation non-compliant with audit law appeared first on wgno.com

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Morning Forecast – Wednesday, July 9th

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www.youtube.com – KTVE – 2025-07-09 08:57:53

SUMMARY: Morning Forecast for Wednesday, July 9th from Shawl Pryor on FOX 14: Showers and thunderstorms from Tuesday dissipated before midnight as a frontal boundary stalled just to the north. Showers and storms will redevelop around lunchtime and persist into the afternoon, weakening after sunset. The stalled front may bring continued rain chances through Thursday. Temperatures will remain in the lower 90s, climbing toward the weekend with heat indices reaching triple digits. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are likely near and north of the I-20 Corridor late tonight due to an upper trough and high moisture levels. Storm coverage will decrease by Friday with drier air moving in, leading to hotter and less stormy conditions.

Most of the showers and t-storms from yesterday completely dissipated prior to midnight. A frontal boundary will sit just to our north. More showers and t-storms will develop around lunchtime and continue into the afternoon. Most of these storms will weaken after sunset, but the stalled front may help to keep more rain chances in the forecast for tomorrow. Temperatures will stay in the lower 90’s but begin their climb for this weekend. Heat indices will climb into the triple digits.

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Long range forecasts indicate possible tropical development in Gulf mid-July

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www.youtube.com – WDSU News – 2025-07-08 22:27:17

SUMMARY: Long-range forecasts indicate a possible tropical system forming in the northwest Gulf of Mexico around mid-July, potentially named Dexter, though this is still uncertain. Current weather features warm, humid nights with temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and scattered storms with a 40-60% chance over the next 7 to 14 days. A Bermuda High is building, shifting flow patterns that could bring evening and nighttime storms to the region. High temperatures will reach the low to mid-90s, with heat indexes up to 105-106°F. No tropical activity is expected in the Gulf, Caribbean, or Atlantic over the next seven days.

Meteorologist Devon Lucie starts with a look at where the temperatures and humidity were at the time of the broadcast, then shows you what’s driving our weather over the next two days and what the rain chances will be and how hot and humid it could get then gives us a glance at the extended forecast. Devon turns your attention to the tropics showing what’s forecast over the next 7 days in the Gulf, Caribbean, and the Atlantic then shows you a long range tropical forecast that has a low chance of possible development. He’ll show you where and finishes with the seven day forecast.

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