HIGH EVERYONE I'M ANDRY THANKS FOR JOIN S US FOR OUR LIVE COVERAGE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION GETS UNDER WAY.

AWAITING THE ADDRESS FROM GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS.

THAT SESSION WAS TO ADDRESS THE STATES LUMING 1 BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET GAP.

MIGHT BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT NOW CURRENT NUMBER ESTIMATES.

NUMBER WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

ROBERT PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIR RESEARCH COUNSEL WITH US AS WE CATCH TODAY.

KELLY IS AT THE CAPITOL AND SHE BRINGS US COVERAGE FROM THERE.

>>.

WE DO EXPECT HIM TO AT LEAST MENTION THE ANIMOSITY THE LAW MAKERS WRAPPED UP LAST SESSION WITH.

AS WELL AS GOOD THINGS HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE LIKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WINS.

WE EXPECT HIM TO TALK ABOUT HIS LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE.

ONE TO HELP OUT SMALL BUSINESS BY CREATING A COUNSEL TO ADVISE THE LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNOR ALSO ITSELF.

WE ALSO EXPECT HIM TO PROVIDE SOME REGULATORY RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESS BY REVIEWING OCWUPASSIONINAL LICENSE AND GETTING RID OF THE FLORIST LICENSE ENTIRELY.

ANOTHER ONE SEVERAL MEASURE OF THE PACKAGE AIMED AT HELPING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN.

ABOUT ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE LIVE IN POVERTY IN LOUISIANA.

ONE TO CREATE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION COMMISSIONISM ALSO TRY AGAIN WITH LEGISLATION TO INSTITUTE EQUAL PAY FOR WOMAN FOR DOING THE SAME WORK AS MEN AS WELL AS RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

A LOT TO UNFOLD OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

WATCHING IT ON THE STAE WE'RE IN >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS IS MOMENTS AWAY.

UNDER HE'S IN THE BACK OF THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW AS WE SHOULD SAY AND ROBERT TRAVIS SCOTT IS HERE WITH US NOW.

THERE HAS BEEN A DEFINITE GAP IN COMMUNICATION AND IT SEEMS BETWEEN OUR BODIES.

WHAT DOES THE GOVERNOR NEED TO DO TODAY >> ITS TIME FOR LEGISLATION.

WILL THERE BE ANY AT ALL.

HE NEEDS TO COME IN WITH THIS SPEECH.

ALWAYS A FLAVOR OF A STATE OF UNION ADDRESS LOUISIANA STYLE WHEN A GOVERNOR COMES IN AND ADDRESSES BOTH THE CHAMBER ASSEMBLED FOR THE REGULAR SESSION.

HE NEEDS TO PUT A GOOD FACE ON WHAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE.

HE NEEDS TO DO WHAT A LOT OF POLITICIANS THEY SAY WE'RE HAVING A PERSONAL IMPACT PROBABLY DRAW OUT INDIVIDUAL HE WILL WANT TO NAME BEING POSITIVELY IMPACTED BY HIS POLICYISM EVERY PRESIDENT DOES THIS AND EVERY GOVERNOR DOES THIS ON THESE ADDRESSES.

AND THEN HE WILL LOOK AT HIS SUCCESSES AND TRY TO SAY WE HAVE DONE GREAT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOOK WHAT WE HAVEDEN ON HEALTHCARE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

HE WANDS TO PUT A GOOD SPIN ON THOSE.

AND THEN HE HAS TO TURN HIS ATTENTION TO 2018 AND SAY WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS YEAR.

WHAT CAN WE ACCOMPLISH THIS SESSION AROUND.

I THINK THE BIG QUESTION HERE IS NOT JUST THE INDIVIDUAL POLICY HE'S PUTTING FORWARD.

CAN THE LEGISLATOR COME TOGETHER ON ANYTHING ON ANYONE THINK ESPECIALLY NOT FISCAL RELATED NONREVENUE NONTAX RELATE SAID ISSUE AND LOOK LIKE THERAPY COOPERATING.

>> THAT'S ALL WE'VE HEARD ABOUT FOR MONTH AND MONTHS NOW.

TALKING TO BUSINESS GROUPS AND INDIVIDUAL AND THEN DECEMBER AND JANUARY CAME AND HE PUT HIS PEDAL TO THE METAL MORE WE HEARD ABOUT THAT THEN THE SPECIAL SESSION HAPPENING FLAT NOTHING.

IN THIS ADDRESS STAYING AWAY FROM THAT KNOWING THERE WILL PROBABLY BE ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION.

>> RIGHT.

HE WANTS TO SAY THE FISCAL CLIFF IS URGENT.

BUT HE'S NOT GOING TO PROBABLY LAY OUT A WHOLE PLAN FOR HOW TO FIX THAT.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO DO THATTISM I THINK FROM HIS PROSPECTIVE.

HE HAD A PLAN GOING INTO THE SPECIAL SESSION EVERYTHING CRASHED AND BURNED.

EVERYBODY'S PLANS INCLUDING REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATS CRASHED AND BURNED.

DISTEN FROM TAX AND SPENDING ISSUESISM TRY TO PASS A BUDGET SO A LOT OF THESE ISSUE COMING UP.

BUT THERE WON'T BE ANY TAX INCREASE ISSUE ON THE TABLE DURING THIS REGULAR SESSION BECAUSE ITS NOT ALLOWED >> AS WE LISTEN TO YOU LIVE LOOK NOW AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND THE CHAMBERS THERE.

SEE THE HALLWAY BEGINS TO CLEAR.

TELLS ME THE GOVERNOR IS MORE IN PLACE IN THE BACK OF THE BILGED.

JUST AS I SAID THAT FEW PEOPLE BEGINNING TO MILL AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

GIVE US A CHANCE OF SOME OF THE THINGS HE MIGHT TALK ABOUT.

WE HAVE A COPY OF HIS ADDRESS AND WHEN I HANDED IT TO YOU WOW THIS AA LOT OF PAGES HERE.

>> IT IS A LENGTHY ONE BULL WE WILL SEE HOW HE DELIVERS IT.

SPEECH IS ONLY AS LONG AS IT SEEMS.

WE WILL SEE.

I NOTICE HE HAS BEEN USING A TELL PROMPTER RECENTLY HE HAS DONE PRETTY WELL WITH THAT.

SOME OF THE OTHER ASPECTS AS WE HAVE GLANCED THROUGH THIS IS THERE ANYTHING THAT JUMPS OUT MORE THAN OTHERS >> THAT'S REMEMBER ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WANT TO DO CONVINCE THEM TO WORK FAST AND TO END EARLY.

BECAUSE THEY STILL WANT TO DEAL WITH A REVENUE ISSUES FOR THIS FISCAL CLIFF WITH THE TEMPORARY TAXES COMING OFFISM THIS IS AN ISSUE.

THEIR PLAN AND I WILL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT TRY TO END THIS SESSION IN MIDMAY INSTEAD OF THE BEGINNING OF JUNE WHICH IS THE USUALLY END TIME AND LEAVE THEMSELVES TIME FOR A SPECIAL SESSION THEY CAN BOOK IN ON THE END OF THIS REGULAR SESSION THEY WILL HAVE A CALL ALLOWED TO DEAL WITH TAX ISSUES AND COME IN AND HOPEFULLY SOLVE THAT TO EVERYONE SATISFACTION.

WHO KNOW WHETHER THAT WILL REALLY HAPPEN.

SEEMS A LONG WAY AWAY POLITICALLY >> WATCHING THE GOVERNOR AND MS.

EDWARDS MAKING THEIR WAY.

OVATION AS THEY ARE COMING THROUGH THE CHAMBERS THERE >> IF THEY ARE TO WRAP UP IN MAY GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO EXHALE BEFORE THE SPECIAL SESSION.

IF THAT HAPPENS THEY WILL BE DEMONSTRATING THEY CAN ALL COOPERATING GETTING SOMETHING DONE >> BE A POSITIVE AFTER THIS PAST MONTH MONTH AND A HALF LEFT SUCH A SOUR TASTE IN PEOPLES MOUTH.

MAY BE A RESTART TIME REPRESENTATIVE WOOD IS DOING THE PRAYER NOW LET'S JOIN OUR HEARTS TOGETHER IN PRAYER IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD HELP US TO BE STILL BEFORE YOU.

AND TO KNOW THAT YOU REALLY ARE HERE WITH US.

LORD PLEASE PLACE YOUR HANDS UPON EACH OF US AND PLEASE CAUSE US TO FILL THE STRONG WARM GRIP OF YOUR GOOD HANDS.

ASK YOU TO PLEASE FORGIVE US OF OUR SINS ESPECIALLY OUR FAILURE TO BE LOVING TOWARD ONE ANOTHER WHICH YOU HAVE SAID TO BY OUR SIGNEE YEAH BEFORE THE WORLD THE MARK TRULY BELONGING TO YOUISM HELP US TO SHOW GRACE MERCY TO ONE ANOTHER EVEN AS YOU HAVE SHONE INFANT MERCY TOWARD US.

BLESS TO THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCYISM AS WE BEGIN THESE 89 DAYS OF THIS SESSION PLEASE HELP EACH OF THESE MEN AND WOMAN TO BATTLE WITH THE FIERCE LOVE OF CHRIST THREW ANY DIFFERENCES DISAPPOINTMENTS OR FEELINGS OF DISTRUST AND TO REMAIN RELENTLESSLY HOPEFUL FOR THE SUPREME SUCCESS OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEIR FELLY SERVANTS WITH WHOM THEY ARE NOW STANDING IN THIS CHAMBERMENT LORD IN YOUR HOLLY STRIPTURE YOU HAVE TAUGHT US TO VALUE COLLECTATIVE WISDOM WHOSE FOUNDATION AND HUMILITY.

PLEASE GRANT EACH OF THESE SERVANTS OF YOURS THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN STOOONE ANOTHER RESSPECTFULLY AND WITH A SINCERE READINESS TO SAY I HAVE BEEN WRONG.

LORD PLEASE HELP THESE SERVANTS TO THINK TOGETHER WITH MUTUAL TEACHABILITY SO THAT THEY MIGHT COME TO THAT COLLECTATIVE WISDOM THAT WILL BRING ABOUT THE MOST GOOD FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE.

LORDS WE PRAY THAT THIS SESSION WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE IN WHICH YOUR SERVANTS CAME TOGETHER NOT MERELY TO AGREE TO DISAGREE, BUT TO GAIN WISDOM FROM YOU THROUGH ONE ANOTHER.

LET IT BE SAID IN HEAVEN AND HERE ON EARTH THAT THEY LEARNED FROM ONE ANOTHER.

LORD WE HAVE ASKED FOR THESE BLESSINGS FOR OUR GOOD AND FOR OUR SAVIORS GLORLY IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

AMEN.

>> A POIGNANT PRAYER FROM RODNEY WOOD.

ACTIVE IN MINISTRY AROUND THE WOOD.

HAN A WILL BE LEADING THE ANTHEM.

THE COLOR GUARD TODAY.

SEE THEM MAKING THEIR WAY RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER AISLE OF THE CHAMBERS.

SEE THE CAMERAS CLICKING AND PEOPLE WATCHINGISM LIVE COVERAGE FROM LOUISIANA STATE CAPITOL AS THE SESSION LEGISLATOR IS ABOUT TO BEGIN AND WE'RE AWAITING THE OPENING LIVE REMARKS FROM GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS AS ANOTHER SESSION OF LOUISIANAS GOVERNMENT BEGINS TO UNFOLD.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HANNAH RICE WILL SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM OH, SAY CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWNS EARLY LIGHT.

WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED AS THE TWILIGHTS GLEAMING.

WHOSE BROAD STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT.

FOR THE RAMPARTS WE WATCHED WERE SO GALIANTLY STREAMING.

AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE THE BOMBS BUSTING IN AIR.

GAVE THROUGH TO THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE.

OH, SAY DOES THAT STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE APPLAUSE.

HANNAH RICE WITH THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

LIVE COVERAGE THE OPENING OF THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATOR.

AWAITING THE OPENING REMARKS FROM GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS.

THE COLOR GUARD EXIST AND HE TAKES CENTER STAGE.

SET THE TONE OF MOVING FORWARD >> GOT TO TRY TO DISPLAY LEADERSHIP, FIND SOME COMMON GROUND, TRY TO DRAW PEOPLE BEHIND IT.

COME OVER ANIMOSITY THE GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF LOUISIANA THE HONORABLE JOHN BEL EDWARDS.

APPLAUSE THANK YOU.

MR.

SPEAKER MR.

PRESIDENT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATEOR DISTINGISH GUESTS AND FELLOW LOUISIANIANS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK BOUGHTER WOODS FOR HIS PRAYER.

NOT ONLY TODAY BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

A FAITHFUL SERVANT HERE FOR MANY YEARS AND SO PROUD TO KNOW HIM AND TO CALL HIM MY FRIEND AND MY BROTHER.

THANK YOU RODNEY.

AND ALSO THE CADETS FROM LSU FOR PRESENTING THE COLORS TODAY.

SPECIAL FOR US GIVEN THE LONG MILITARY TRADITION LSU HAS.

AND ALSO HANNAH RISE WHO DONNA AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THIS DECEMBER WHEN WE VISITED HER SCHOOL.

WHAT A WONDERFUL BEAUTIFUL JOB SHE DID SINGING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

SORT OF SEEMS LIKE HE WITNESS JUST DID I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AWAY FOR VERY LONG.

I HOPE IN THE PAST WEEK HAD TIME TO REST AND TO REFOCUS ON THE WORK THAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US.

AND ESPECIALLY I DON'T WANT TO ROAD BLOCK OF THE SPECIAL SESSION TO HAMMER US FROM WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.

MAKING LIFE BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATE.

WHILE I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THE WAY THINGS ENDED LAST WEEK AND I SUSSPECT MANY OF YOU KNOW I WANT TO THANK THE MANY MEMBERS OF THIS BODY THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THE VAST MAJORITY WHO STOOD I'M SORRY WHO UNDER STOOD HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS A SOLUTION.

IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE SO MANY OF YOU STAND RIGHT HERE URGING YOUR FELLOW LEGISLATOR TO PUT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AHEAD OF THE DISTRACTING POLITICAL GAMESSISM VERY SOON WE'RE GOING TO OO HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY OUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THE FISCAL CLIFF AS WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE SPECIAL SESSION.

IF THE RECENT WARNING SIGN FROM ONE OF OUR CREDIT AGENCY IS NOT ENOUGH TO URGE TO ACT PERHAPS THIS STORY WILL BE.

I JUST HEARD OF A YOUNG MAN HEADING OFF TO COLLEGE NEXT FALL FROM DUTCH TOWN 33 ON ACT HE'SOON EAGLE SCOUT A MODEL STUDENT RIGHT HERE IN OUR STATE.

AFTER THE LAST SPECIAL SESSION UNFORTUNATELY HE IS LEANING TOWARDS GOING TO ALABAMA RATHER THAN LSU BECAUSE OF THE EARN ATTORNEYTY BECAUSE OF TOPS SCHOLARSHIP.

THAT'S THE KIND OF STORY WE SHOULD ALL DREAD.

LOSING TO ALABAMA IN THE CLASSROOM SHOULD BE EVER BIT AS PAINFUL TO LOSING TO THEM ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD AND ITS TIME WE START WINNING ON BOTH.

WE SHOULD DREAD IT BECAUSE DESPITE THE LACK OF ACTION DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WE REALLY HAVE SO MUCH TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IN OUR STATE.

WE SHOULD BE EXCITING ABOUT WHAT LIES AHEAD IN LOUISIANA IF ONLY WE COULD MOVE BEYOND THE PROBLEMS OF THE PAST.

EVERY DAY THE STATE OF OUR GROWS STRONGER AND WHEN YOU HAVE LOOK AT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ITS EASY TO SEE THAT OUR MOW MENNATIVE IS DRIVEN BY THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATE.

AT FOUR .

SIX PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT AT ITS LOWEST LEVEL IN A DECADE AND IN 2017 SAW RECORD EMPLOYMENT AND CONSTRUCTION, EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE.

ALTHOUGH ITS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH WE ARE FINDING NEW AND INOVATIVE WAY TO DELIVER KEY PRIORITIES TO COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE.

JUST IN JANUARY WE ANNOUNCED 600 FIFTY MILLION DOLLAR IN FUNDING USE TO CONSTRUCTER THREE MAJOR PROJECTS THE WIDENING OF I10 FROM MISSISSIPPI RIVER BRIDGE TO I1012 SPLIT IS NEW INTERCHANGE.

YEAH THAT'S WORTHY OF APPLAUSE.

A NEW INTERCHANGE IN KENNER FOR THE NEW AIRPORT TERMANT A BILLION DOLLAR TERM MALCOMING ONLINE NEXT YEAR.

NEW ACCESS FROM I20 TO BARKS DEAL AIR SPACE.

JUST LAST WEEK SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE AMONG THE TOP TEN STATES FOR ECONOMICS DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT ON A PER CAPPA INVESTMENT.

AREA DEVELOPMENT RANKS US AMONG THE TOP FIVE STATES FOR DOING BUSINESS AND THUMB TACK RANK TOP FOUR IN THE NATION FOR SMALL BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS.

IN 2017 ALONE LANDED 43 NEW PROJECTS FOUR .

6 BILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN PARISHES ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

INCLUDING DXC TECHNOLOGY THE SECOND BEST ECONOMIC DEAL IN THE COUNTRY LAST YEAR AND CERTAINLY THE LARGEST IN THE HISTORY OF LOUISIANA.

WITH THESE PROJECTS WE ADDED OVER 13,000 NEW DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS AND OVER ALL NEARLY 24,000 MORE LOUISIANIANS GAINED EMPLOYMENT.

THAT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT.

WHEN STEVEN HILTON THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT EXPLAINED WHY THEY CHOSE NEW ORLEANS HE SAID NOT ONLY A PLACE ATTRACT MULINNIANS BUT ALSO THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT.

TIME AFTER TIME THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS SAYING YES TO LOUISIANA.

YES TO NEW INVESTMENTS YES TO EXPANSION PROJECTS YES TO MAINTAINING EXISTING BUSINESS AND THEY ARE SAYING YES BECAUSE WE HAVE A VISION FOR OUR STATE AND OUR PEOPLE AND I LIKE TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF THOSE COMPANIES TODAY.ANDY JOHNSON WITH GRAPHIC PACKAGING.ANDY WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.

>> APPLAUSE >> LAST SPRING WE ANNOUNCE A GRAPHIC PACKAGE INTERNATIONAL REINVESTING IN NORTH EAST LOUISIANA WITH NEW 1.27 MILLION SQUARE FOOT MANUFACTURING AND LUGISTICS CENTER IN MONROE.

ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST EFFICIENT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

EMPLOYEES 1,000 PEOPLE AT THREE NORTH EAST LOUISIANA FACILITIES AND PRODUCE FOUR .

7 BILLION-DOLLAR IN ANNUAL ECONOMIC OUT PUT.ANDY WE THANK YOU AND GRAPHIC PRACAGING.

THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH OUT STANDING AND PARTNER AND AMBASSADORS FOR OUR STATE.

MIKE I THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR FUTURE AS WELL.

THESE ECONOMIC SUCCESSES OVER THE LAST YEAR DRIVEN BY OUR DEDICATION TO TRAINING WORK FORCE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE GOOD PAYING JOBS THE PRIVATE SECTOR IS CREATING.

BY TRANSFORMING APPROACH TO HIGHER EDUCATION MEANING WHEN WE ADEQUATELY FUND HIGHER EDUCATION WE'RE MAKING AN INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE IN OUR CHILDREN IN OUR ECONOMISM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER BIG WINS FOR OUR STATE.

THIS YEAR OUR CURRENT FISCAL YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE WE FINALLY STABILIZED FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATIONCH THIS IS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE ADMISSION REQUEST FOR UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY TECHNICAL COLLEGE ACROSS THE BOARD SIGNALING TO INDUSTRIES HARPED THE WORLD THAT WE ARE READY TO INVEST IN WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TO OUR STUDENTS THAT WE BELIEVE IN THEIR FUTURE AND WE WAN THEIR FUTURE TO BE RIGHT HERE IN LOUISIANA.

APPLAUSE UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT THE MESSAGE THAT WAS SENT THIS BODY LAST WEEK.

ENROLLMENT ISN'T GOING TO CONTINUE TRENDING UP WARD WITHOUT THE STABLE BUDGET WE HAVE SEEN THE CONCONSEQUENCES ALREADY.

JUST REMEMBER WHEN A SPECIAL SESSION GOES BY WITHOUT ANY ACTION YOU'RE NOT FAILING ME YOU'RE FAILING THAT KID FROM DUTCH TOWN AND THE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS LIKE HIM AROUND THE STATE.

IN ORDER TO HAVE PRODUCTIVE WORKERS YOU ALSO NEED HEALTHY WORKERS.

WHICH IS WHY WE'RE ALSO COMMITTED TO IMPROVING HEALTH OUT COME IN LOUISIANA.

THE BEST NEWS IS OUR APPROACH IS WORKING.

MEDICAID EXPENSION CONTINUE TO CHANGE LIVES OVER 460,000 WORKING PEOPLE HAVE ENROLLED AS OUR OUR MOST RECENT COUNT.

UNINTOURED RATE SLICED BY MORE THAN HALF AND EXPANSION PRODUCING SAVINGS FOR OUR BUDGET.

MOST IMPORTANTLY THOU MEDICAID EXPANSION IS SAVING LIVES.

ADDITIONAL EXPANSION HELPING US ADDRESS LOUISIANA OCCUPYIOID CRISIS BY GIVING MORE PEOPLE ACCESS TO THE TREATMENT THEY NEED.

THROUGH EXPANSION NEARLY 16,000 PEOPLE RECEIVE IN PATIENT OR OUT PATIENT TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE THAT IS 16,000 MORE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE AND 16,000 FEWER FAMILIES WHO WILL HAVE TO SUFFER THE HEART BREAK OF LOSING A LOVED ONE TO ADDICTION.

WE REDUCE THE NUMBER OF OPOID PRESCRIPTION LAST YEAR BY 15 PERCENT AND FOR MEDICAID PATIENT A FURT PERCENT DECREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF OPOIDS SINCE THE FIRST MONTH OF EXPANSION JULY 2016.

IF YOU DOUBT EVEN FOR A SECOND THE IMPORTANCE OF MEDICAID EXPANSION AND FIGHTING THEOPEIOID EPIDEMIC JUST ASK ONE OF THE GUEST I AM PLEASE TO HAVE WITH US TODAY.

KADISHA PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.

>> APPLAUSE >> EMPLOYED AS A MENTAL HEALTH TECHNICIAN APPLIED FOR MEDICAID YEARS AGO BUT WASN'T ELIGIBLE.

SHE FELL INTO THE GAP OF NOT QUALIFYING FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICAID BUT ALSO DIDN'T RECEIVE COVERAGE THROUGH WORK BECAUSE IT WAS UNFODDABLE.

STRUGGLED WITH OCCUPIOID ADDICTION.

AFTER RECEIVING HEALTHCARE THROUGH EXPANSION ABLE TO RECEIVE TREATMENT THROUGH THE OXFORD HOUSE AND ON APRIL 4TH SHE WILL HAVE REACHED HER ONE YEAR MILE STONE OF SOBRIETY.

KADISHA APPLAUSE TOOK A LOT OF COURAGE FOR YOU TO BE HERE AND TO SHARE YOU STORY WITH US AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

SPEAKING OF SECOND CHANCES LAST YEAR WE CAME TOGETHER PASSED THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM MEASURES IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

WHEN I RAN FOR GOVERNOR BY THE END OF MY FIRST TERM LOUISIANA LOSE DECADES LONG POSITION NATION TOP INCARCERATOR BY MAKING CHANGE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM INCLUDE PUBLIC SAFETY AND SAVE MONEY TO REINVEST TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND CRIME.

WE KNEW THE STATUS QUO WASN'T WORKING AND OUT DATED PRACTICE WASN'T MAKING US ANY SAFER.

WASN'T ADDRESS THE ROOT PROBLEM TO REDUCE CRIME AND RECIDIVISM.

WELL VERY SOON WE'LL BE ABLE TO SAY WE NO LONGER LEAD THE NATION IN IMPRISMENT AND ALREADY EXCEEDING SAVINGS GOAL FOR THE FIRST YEAR NOW UP TO US TO BE DISCIPLINED ENOUGH TO MAKE GOOD OPOUR PROMISE OUR PLED TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA TO REINVEST SEV PERCENT OF THE SAVINGS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND WE DID THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER.

BY BRINGING TOGETHER THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS LEADERS REPUBLICAN DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENCE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WRITING A NEW CHAPTER FOR LOUISIANA.

AND WE DIDN'T AGREE BUT WE TALKED WE COMPROMISE THERE WAS GIVE AND TAKE AMONG EVERYONE AND THAT SHOULD BE OUR GUIDING PRINCIPAL GOING INTO THIS REGULAR SESSION AND BEYOND.

I REALIZE THERE ARE POLITICIAN PING FEAR AND SCARE TACTIC BUT BY FOCUS ON NONVIOLATANT OFFENDERS AND SURGERIES IMPLEMENTED IN OTHER STATES YOU SUMMON THE COVERAGE TO CHANGE COURSE AND CONFIDENT WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO SAFER COMMUNITIES.

THOSE OTHER STATES SAW THEIR CRIME RATES DECLINSIGNIFICANTLY WE FOLLOWED THAT SAME MODEL HERE IN LOUISIANA AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THE SAME RESULTS.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE BROUGHT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT VIEW POINTS TOGETHER IN A SIMILAR WAY WE WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER WITH OUR NEIGHBORS IN OTHER STATES LA YEAR DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS I HAVE KNOWN THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA RECIPIENT.

PROVED THAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARSISM 2016 WAS A YEAR OF LOSS FOR FAR TOO MANY LOUISIANA.

YET WHEN HURRICANE PUMMABLE OUR NEIGHBORS THE SAME PEOPLE WHO HAD LOST EVERYTHING IN FLOODS JUST A YEAR BEFORE HAULED OUT THEIR BOATS AND WENT TO THE AID OF FELLOW OF AMERICA TO TEXAS TO FLORIDA TO.

I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND THANK THOSE INDIVIDUAL.

THE CAJUN NAVVY.

THE NATIONAL GUARD.

THE STATE POLICE.

THE WILD LIFE AND FISHERIES AGENT.

THE FOLKS AT THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE.

WHO WENT IN TEXAS AND CONDUCTED RESCUE OPERATION AND EVAPIATED THOUSAND TO LOUISIANA WHEN THEY COULD BE SHELTERED.

DONNA AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE SHELTER AND WE SAW THE COMPATION THAT OUR WORKERS ESPECIALLY THOSE DVFS.

IN FACT THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS CALLED ME MULTIPLE TIMES TO THANK ME FOR THE EXCELLENT WAY IN WHICHIZE PEOPLE WERE BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND WE HAVE WITH US THREE OF THE INDIVIDUAL HELPED RUN THE SHELTER.

DANIEL, SHARELET AND KIM.

WOULD Y'ALL PLEASE STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED.

APPLAUSE WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE LONG DAYS AND EVEN LONGER NIGHTS YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUE SPENT PROVIDING A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE VICTIM OF LAST YEAR HURRICANES.

IN ADDITION TO THEIR DISASTER EFFORTS DCFS WORKING TO INSURE EVERY CHILD IN ITS CARE HAS A PERMANENT AND LOVERRING HOME.

DCFS1 OF EIGHT STATES TO RECEIVE A NATIONAL GRANT TO DEVELOP STRATEGYIES TO RECRUIT AND OBTAIN HIGHLY SKILLED CHILE WELFARE WORKERS.

UN2017 REUNITED NEARLY 2600 CHILDREN WITH THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES AND FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW WE SET ANOTHER ADOPTION RECORD 771 CHILDREN FINDING THEIR FOREVER HOME BY BEING ADOPTED.

APPLAUSE THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN LOUISIANAS CHILDREN.

AND WE HAVE GIVEN THEM A BRIGHTER TOMORROW AND ONE OF THE FAMILIES IS HERE TODAY WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SUCCESS.

DAWN AND DAVID MOSS HAVE THREE BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN BUT THEY KNEW THERE WAS ROOM IN THEIR HOME AND IN THEIR HEARTS FOR MORE.

SO THEY ANSWERED THE CALL TO BECOME FASTER PARENTS AND FOSTERING CHILDREN FOR SIX YEARS THEY OFFICIALLY GREW THEIR FAMILY BY FIVE WHEN THEY ADOPTED OBRY WHO IS EIGHT THOMAS WHO IS SEVEN EMT WHO IS SIX ZANE WHO IS FIVE AND LOUISY WHO IS THREE.

APPLAUSE MY BROTHER DANIEL IS HERE WITH US.

THAT REMINDS US OUR FAMILY GROWING UP MY MAMA HAD EIGHT KIDS IN TEN YEARS LOOKED JUST LIKE THAT.

I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE DCFS WORKER WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE AS AN ADOPTION SPECIALIST JUDY WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND AND GET A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

APPLAUSE THIS SESSION WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING ON THESE ALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SO MUCH MORE.

I'M TEACHING UP WITH REPUBLICCON DEMOCRATS ALIKE.

SOLICED IDEAS FROM ALL ACROSS THE STATE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SENIOR STUDENTS PARENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA I AM PROPOSING TODAY IS BOLD AND DIVERSE AS THE PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT STATE.

SMALL BUSINESSES MAKE UP 99 .ER .

5 PERCENT OF ALL BUSINESS IN LOUISIANA AND EMPLOYEE OVER HALF OF OUR WORK FORCE.

THEY AREN'T JUST THE BACK BONE OF OUR ECONOMY AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITIESISM THAT'S WHY ITS IMPORTANT TO CULLIVATE AN ENVIRONMENT ALLOW SMALL BUSINESS TO FLOURISH.

I AM ASKING YOU TO CREATE A LOUISIANA SMALL BUSINESS COUNSEL CHARGE WITH HELPING SMALL BUSINESS REMAIN COMPETITIVE.

GIVING SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY RELIEF COST THEM MONEY AND OVERLY BURDENNICISM.

LOUISIANA RANK SIX WORTH IN THE NATION FOR CONVULETED AUCTION WUPATIONINAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.

WE CAN FIX THAT TO INSURE WE ARE MAXIMIZING OUR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE RELIFE I HAVE DIRECTED MY CAB NUTATORY VIEW ALL REGULUS ESPECIALLY RELATED TO SMALL BUSINESS AND IDENTIFY AREA WHERE WE CAN PROVIDE RELIFE FURTHER ESTABLISHING ABAUCTION PASSIONINAL LICENSING REVIEW.

FIRST UP REPEALING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR FLOOREST WHICH WE ARE THE ONLY STATE IN THE NATION TO REQUIRE.

IN ADDITION WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE SPOUSE AND CHILDREN OF MILITARY FAMILIES TO GET LICENSING SO THEY CAN SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES OR HAVE TO BE SEPARATED FROM THEIR LOVED ONES DURING AN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE MEMBERS ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO MAKE SACRIFICES.

I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.

WE WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR MILITARY FAMILIES WHO COME TO LOUISIANA TO GET THE LICENSING THEY NEED TO CONTINUE THEIR CAREERS HERE.

THEREFORE WE WILL BE TAKING SEVERAL MEASURES TO ENTER INTO MULTIY STATE LICENSETURE COMPACTS AND WAVING CERTAIN FEES FOR MILITARY FAMILIES.

THE IMPACTS OF OUR EFFORTS TO STREAM LINE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAR REACHING LET'S MAKE IT EASIER FOR FAMILIES TO GET OUT AND ENJOY THE NATURAL BEAUTY LOUISIANA HAS TO OFFER.

THIS IS THE SPORTMAN PARDICE AFTER ALL.

OUR EFFORTS STREAM LIKE HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE BY REDUCING THE FROM HUNDRED 17 TO 30.

WE WILL ALSO BUILD ON OUR EFFORTS TO END CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN LOUISIANA WHERE ONE IN FOUR CHILDREN REMAIN IN POVERTY.

LAST YEAR DONNA AND I LAUNCHED NO KIDS HUNGER INITIATIVE.

IN OCTOBER A BREAKFAST CHALLENGE 306 SCHOOLS PROVIDED 147,000 MEALS TO STUDENTS.

THIS SESSION WE WILL INSURE STUDENTS ARE NOT SIG NUATIZE WHEN THEY CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A MEAL.

WHEN WE ARE ANAL TO GIVE STUDENTS A WELL BALANCED MEAL AT THE START OF THE DAY PURP FORM BETTER LESS LIKELY TO ACT OUT ALLOWS OUR TEACHERS TO FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON TEACHINGISM ONE OF THE THINS I LEARN CHILDREN OF THE SOUTHERN EDUCATION BOARD.

SHOULD NEVER BE A COMPETITION AMONG STATES BUT RATHER AN EFFORT TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

THEREFORE WE WILL CREATE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION COMMISSION WHICH WILL WORK CLOSELY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNOR ASSOCIATION AND RECOGNIZE THE HARD WORK OF OUR TEACHERS SUPPORT LEGISLATION ALLOW THEM TO AQUER TENURE IF THEY HAVE EFFECTIVE OR HIGHLY AFECTIVE RATINGS FOR FIVE OUT OF SIX YEARS AND KNOWING VALUE ADDED MODEL FOR TEACHER EVALUATION NOT IMPLEMENTED AS INTENDED AND BY PRANCEPLE CHAMPION FRANK WE WILL REDUCE PART OF THE VALUE ADDED MODEL FROM 35 PERCENT TO 15 PERCENT TO PROMOTE FAIRNESS AND CONSISTENCY FOR OUR TEACHERS.

AND UNDER STANDABLY THERES A NATIONAL CONVERSATION HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ABOUT HOW WE CAN BETTER PROTECT CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE AT SCHOOLS.

AS THIS CONVERSATION MOVED FORWARD WE MUST DROWN OUT THE POLITICAL NOISE AND FOCUS ON THE ISSUE AT HAND WE MUST WORK TOGETHER BY BRINGING LAW ENFORCEMENT SCHOOL OFFICIAL EDUCATORS PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

OUR PRIORITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY FOR OUR CHILDREN AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN HAVE A CRUCKATIVE DIALOGUE HERE IN LOUISIANA OVER THE COURSE OF THIS SESSION AND ADVANCE THIS CAUSE.

AND FURTHER INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL CHILDREN.

WE MUST FIND WAYS TO LIFT FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY SADLY LOUISIANA HAS THE SECONDEST HIGHEST POVERTY RATE IN THE COUNTRY AND THE THIRD HIGHEST CHILD POVERTY RATE.

COMMITTED TO DOING EVERY TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE.

AN EFFORT AMONG STATE DEPARTMENTS FROM POVERTY TO EMPOWERMENT PLAN.

A CRITICATE PART OF THIS EFFORT IS ESTABLISHING A MINIMUM WAGE MODEST BUT MEANINGFUL INCREASE AND PASSING THE LOUISIANA EQUAL PAY ACT.

APPLAUSE LOUISIANA HAS THE HIGHEST WAGE INEQUITY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRYCH EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM AND LISTENING WHERE EVER YOU ARE SHOULD BE OFFENDED THAT A WOMAN MAKES ONLY 66 CENTS FOR EVERY DOLLAR A MAN MAKESSISM SHE DOESN'T GET CHARGED LESS WHO SHE GOES TO BUY GROCERIES AND SHOULDN'T GET PAID ANY LESS WHEN SHE WORKS THE SAME JOB AS A MAN.

APPLAUSE THIS SHOULD BE EASY.

THIS SHOULD BE EASY.

91 PERCENT OF LOUISIANA SUPPORT THE LOUISIANA EQUAL PAY ACT.

AND WHY BECAUSE ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

JUSTTHALITY SIMPLE.

SAME GOES FOR RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE 18 STATES RAISED THEIR MINIMUM WAGE AT THE BEGINNING OF 2018 AND YET LOUISIANA REMAINS ONE OF ONLY FIVE STATES NOT TO HAVE ADOPTED A STATE MINIMUM WAGE AT ALL.

SEVEN-DOLLARS AND A QUARTER IN 2018 IS NOT A FAIR WAGE.

SO LET'S RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

LET'S RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 8-DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS PER HOUR OVER TWO YEARS.

MORE WOMAN DIE DURING PREGNANCY AND CHILD BIRTH IN LOUISIANA THAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

ITS 2018 WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE DYING AT SUCH AN ALARMING RATE BECAUSE OF CHILD BIRTH.

TASK WITH EXAMINING THE FACTORS IN OUR STATE AND DEVELOPING AN EXTERNSIVE REPORT ON THE POLICY AND PRACTICING RECOMMENDATION WE CAN IMPLEMENT.

AND WHILE I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY AT LEAST TWO CHILDREN WILL BE BORN.

WE MAY NEVER MEET THEM DIRECTLY BUT WHAT WE DO HERE OR DON'T DO HERE WILL PROFOUNDLY AFFECT THEM.

CHANCES ARE BY THE WAY THEY'LL BE BORN IN A RURAL HOSPITAL.

OUR ACTIONS DIRECTLY AFFECT WHETHER THAT MOTHER CAN GET TO THAT HOSPITAL IN TIME FOR A SAFETY HEALTHY DELIVERY.

AND WE OWE IT TO MOTHERS TO MAKE LOUISIANA A SAFETY AND SOUND PLACE TO GIVER BIRTH AND TO BUILD A FAMILY.

I ALSO FIRMLY BELIEVE EVERY PERSON WHETHER THEY WORK IN STATE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE INDUSTRY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO TO WORK EACH DAY WITHOUT FEAR OF SEXUAL HURRICANESMENT OR DISCRIMINATION.

I HAVE SAID SEXUAL HARASSMENT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED NOR ALLOW VICTIM TO FEEL BULLIED OR SILENCED.

APPLAUSE I CREATED A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.

I RECEIVE THE RECOMMENDATION AND REVIEW BEST PRACTICE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WE ARE NOW READY TO BEGIN IMLUMEANTING THESE CHANGE HERE IN LOUISIANA.

INCLUDE LIFTING THE VEIL OF SECRECY PROHIBITING EMPLOYEES FOR FROM MAN DATED FORCE ABTRATION PROTECTING THE IDENTY FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AND REQUIRING ANNUAL SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND WE'RE NOT JUST PROTECTING OUR WORKERS ALSO STANDING UP FOR STUDENTS.

ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS OF A PARENTS LIFE WHEN YOUR SENDING YOUR KIDS OFF TO COLLEGE.

LAST FALL WE LOST AN 18 YEAR OLD STUDENT WHO HAS HIS LIFE AHEAD OF HIM AND NO FAMILY SHOULD EVER HAVE TO FEEL THE PAIN THAT MAXES FAMILY IS CERTAINLY FEELING AND NO STUDENT SHOULD FEEL PRESSURED INTO OR SUBJECTED INTO WRECKLESS RITUALS.

HAZING PREVENTION EDUCATION ARMING STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT INSTANCES OF HAZING COULD VERY EASABLY SAVE LIVES DOWN THE ROAD.

FINALLY I BELIEVE THAT AS A SAFETY WE ARE JUDGED BY HOW WEAL WE TREAT YOUNG AND OLD AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT OUR AGING POPULATION FROM ABUSE AT THE HAND OF CARE GIVERS STRANGERS OR SOMETIMES EVEN FAMILY MEMBERSISM THEREFORE WE WILL STRENGTHEN THE PENNALTIES FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST THE ELERLY ALSO WORK TO COV THE FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION BY REQUIRING SUSPICIOUSISH ACTIVITY BE REPORTED TO FINABSAL INSTITUTION OR FLAGGED BY THE BANKS THEMSELVES.

SOME OF THE PRIORITY WE HAVE SET FOR THIS REGULAR SESSION AS I HOPE YOU CAN SEE THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE BILLS EFFORTS I KNOW WE CAN ALL GET BEHIND.

AND WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE DIFFICULT WORK AHEAD OF US.

IN THIS SESSION ALSO SUPPOSED TO PASS A BUDGET AS I SAID BEFORE I DON'T SUSPORT THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATION I WAS CONSTITUTIONALLY OBLIGATED TO PRESENT IN JANUARY BECAUSE IT IS NOT A REASONABLE OPTION FOR OUR STATE.

IT DOESN'T FUND ADWOULDLY OUR CRITICAL PRIORITIES AND CERTAIN THE MAJORITY ORPHYOU AGREE WITH THAT.

I ESPECIALLY KNOW THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS OUR CONSTITUENTS WANT US TO DO BETTER.

THAT IS WHY WE SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE FISCAL CLIFF WHEN I GAVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

HOWEVER MANY OF YOU SUGGESTED THAT THE FISCAL CLIFF CAN BE SOLVED SIMPLY BY MAKING CUTS.

I THINK WHAT MANY OF YOU WILL FIND AS MUCH HARDER THAN IT SEEMS BECAUSE WHEN YOU CUT FUNDING YOU CUT SERVICES THAT MANY PEOPLE IN THIS STATE RELY UPON.

BUT IF THAT'S WHAT YOU TRULY BELIEVE NOW IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO THOSE WHO SAY WE CAN CUT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS ITS YOUR TIME TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND MAKE THIS SPECIFIC CUTS THAT YOU INSIST CAN AND SHOULD BE MADE.

I REMAIN OF THE OPINION THAT WE NEED TO END THIS SESSION IN MIDMAY AS THE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER AND I DISCUSS SO WE CAN ENTER INTO ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION AS NO ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO TAX PAYERS THAT WILL CONCLUDE NO LATER THAN JUNE 4TH WHEN THE REGULAR SESSION IS SCHEDULED TO CONCLUDE.

AND NO ITS NOT GOING TO BE EASY.

I NEVER SAID IT WOULD BE NOBODY SAID IT WOULD BE EASY BUT IT IS NECESSARYISM HOWEVER THE THINGS THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH OVER THIS REGULAR SESSION SHOULD BE RELATIVELY EASY AND THEY WILL BE IF WE WILL JUST ENGAGE IN A CIVIL DISCURSE IF WE WILL TREAT ONE ANOTHER AS COLLEAGUES IN HIS BODY AS A COLLEGIAL BODY WE SHOULD ACTUALLY FIND WAYS TO COME TOGETHER AND DO THOSE THINGS WE AGREE UPON THE HARD BECOME POSSIBLE BUT IF WE TAKE THE POPSET APPROACH THE HARD BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE AND OUR PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT.

AND BY THE WAY WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT.

SO LET'S MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR WORKERS THROUGHOUT OUR INDUSTRIES FOR STUDENTS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED FOR SENIOR FOR EMERGENCY REPONDERS AND TEACHERS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS FOR MILITARY FAMILIES FOR THE VENERABLE AND THE POOR.

FOR YOUR FAMILY FOR MY FAMILY.

THE STATE OF LOUISIANA IS GREAT FOR PRECISELY BECAUSE OUR PEOPLE HAVE DARED TO BE GREAT AND WE HAVE SOME REMARKABLE THINGS GOING FOR US AND WE HAVE THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND BOOMING INDUSTRIES WE HAVE THE LARGEST PORT NOT ONLY IN AMERICA BUT THE ENTIRE WESTERN HEMISPHERE.

WE HAVE BRIGHT YOUNG MINDS WHO WANT TO STAY HERE AS LONG AS WE CAN GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT LOUISIANA IS THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION.

NOW LET'S PROVE IT TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

APPLAUSE YOU KNOW THERES ONE OF THE CORNER SORBS THIS GREAT BUILDING THAT SAYS WE LIVE FOR THOSE WE LOVE.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US IS HERE TODAY BECAUSE WE LOVE THIS STATE.

WE LOVE ITS PEOPLE.

AND THAT LOVE IS WHAT BRINGS US BACK SESSION AFTER SESSION YEAR AFTER YEAR AND WORK TOWARDS SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEMS THAT WE FACE AND TO GET PROSPERITY THAT WE KNOW THAT IS WITHIN OUR REACH AND TOGETHER WE SHOULD LEAVE BEHIND AN EVEN GREATER LOUISIANA FOR THOSE WE LOVE AND I'M NOT JUST OPTIMISTIC.

I AM SUPREMELY CONFIDENT LOUISIANA BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD SO LET'S GET THERE LET'S DO IT TOGETHER MAY GOD BLESS YOU GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE GREAT STATE OF LOUISIANA.

THANK YOU.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS GIVEN HIS ADDRESS TO ON THIS SESSION OF THE LEGISLATOR.

HE NEEDED TO DELIVER A COHESIVE AND SOME PUERATIONINAL MESSAGE.

ROBERT DID HE DO THAT >> I THINK ONE TERMS OF PRESENTATION ONE OF THE BETTER JOB HE HAS DONISM HE TALK ABOUT CIVIL CURSE COURSE BRINGING EVERYBODY TOGETHER TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS.

WE CAN ACHIEVE HARD THINGS IN THIS STATE.

LET'S NOT MAKE IT ANY HARDER THAN IT NEEDS TO BEACH POINTED TO VERY SPECIFIC PLANS THAT HE HAS IN THIS SESSION.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT LEGISLATION TO TRY TO DEAL BETTER WITH THAT SCHOOL SAFETY LICENSE DEALING WITH HUNGER.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATIONISM SOMETHING EVERY YEAR THE HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE AND EQUAL PAY.

AND I THINK FOR EXAMPLE ON THE OCWUPATIONINAL LICENSE THAT HAS BROUGHT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND MAY BE GRAPHIC ON ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WHERE EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE IT MIGHT START A KIND OF HEELING PROCESS IF YOU WILL & COOPERATIVE PROCESS SO THEN THEY CAN GET TOGETHER A MORE CONTRAVERSIAL THINGS.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS OPTIMISTIC.

IF ITS GOING TO WORK THAT'S THE WAY IT PROBABLY WILL WORK >> GAIN SOME TRACTION ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES SOCIAL ISSUES ET CETERA >> I AM NOT BETTING THE HOUSE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

IF ITS GOING TO HAPPEN THAT'S WHERE IT HAS TO START.

FINDING COMMON GROUND ON SOMETHING A BROAD NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATOR CAN AGREE ON AND NOT HAVE A LOT OVERACTION S DEBATE ON.

IF THEY HAVE IDENTIFY THOSE THINGS EARLY ON THERE IS A LOT GOING ON HE DINNED REALLY COVER.

BIG GAMBLING LEGISLATION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CALLING FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION A BIG DEALISM RETIREMENT REFORM ON THE AGENDA.

A LOT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS THAT LEGISLATORS ARE BRING THAT HE'S NOT BRINGING AS HIS CENTRAL MESSAGE.

I THINK HE CONVEYED SPECIFICALLY WHAT HE WANTS TO GET ACCOMPLISHED IN THIS SESSION AND ALSO SAID HEY YOU STILL HAVE THIS IFSICAL CLIFF.

LET'S END EARLY MAY SO WE'RE ALL TAKING OUR BETS NOW WHAT DATE IN MAY THEY ARE GOING TO ACTUALLY END.

I DON'T KNOW I AM GOING TO BET A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY.

>> YOU SAID THE GOAL NEEDED TO BE THAT WOULD BE THE IDEAL THING TO DO SO RESET AND GET TO THE SPECIAL SESSION >> THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK PART OF THAT IS PUBLIC APPEARANCE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF EXTRA PER DEIUM, MONEY ON LEGISLATIONIVE SESSIONS IF YOU'RE NOT ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING.

I THINK THEY THINK IF THEY END EARLY IN MAY WOULD HAVE BEEN MEETING ANYWAY.

LAST YEAR THEY DIDN'T GET A BUDGET DURING A REGULAR SESSION AND THEY HAD TO COME BACK IN ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION AND FINALLY GET A BUDGET.

AND YOU EVEN HAD THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP HAT THAT WASN'T ON BOARD WITH T. MANY TIMES HAD TO HAVE BEEN MUTENIES AMONG THE LEADERSHIP ON BOTH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN SEEN JUST HERE RECENTLY AND HELPED SHAPED HOW THESE SESSION ARE GOING FORWARD AND SO THAT'S THE QUESTION.

WE HAVE AT LEAST FOUR DIFFERENT MAJOR FASHENS N HOUSE RIGHT NOW AND ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER ESPECIALLY ON THESE EBIG CRITICAL VOTES THAT DEMAND 70 >> A BROAD RANGE OF TOPIC HE DID TALK TODAY SOME OF WHICH YOU DON'T HEAR TALK ABOUT IN A LEGISLATIVE SESSION SOME GOOD CAN HAPPEN.

>> A LOT OF SOCIAL ISSUES OUT THERE.

THE GUN SAFETY IDEA.

DIDN'T REALLY SAY ANYTHING SPECIFIC THERE ACKNOWLEDGED SOMETHING GOING ON WE NEED TO LOOK AT AND SORT OF CLIP THAT ISSUE RIGHT INTO THE QUESTION OF CHILD HUNGER AND POVERTY AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT.

REALLY WANTS TO FOCUS ON THOSE SOCIAL NEEDS AND HE HAS PROGRAMS TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THAT.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SOMETHING ELSE THAT HAS BROUGHT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AUTOLYSIN PRANCEPLE.

IF THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS MIGHT BE ANOTHER ISSUES THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT CAN COME TOGETHER IN A SESSION AND MAY BE MAKE PROGRESS MINIMUM WAGE EQUAL PAY SEEN THE DEBATE BEFORE ONE SESSION AFTER ANOTHER AND THE GOVERNOR AGENDA ON THAT HAS FAILED IN THE PAST TIMES HE HAS BROUGHT IT UP.

A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO LEGISLATING ON THOSE ISSUES.

BUT I THINK IT SERVES THE PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNOR EVEN IF THEY DO BRING IT UP TO PUT THE ISSUE BEFORE THE PEOPLE HE LOOKS LIKE HE CAN BRING HIS NARRATIVE OUT EXPLAIN WHY HE THINKS ITS A GOOD.

KEEPING IT IN THE CONVERSATION THAT'S ROBERT TRAVESS SCOTT.

ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE FOR YOUR INPUT AND OBSERVATION WHAT WE ARE SEEING OUT HERE.

REMINDER TO JOIN US ON FRIDAY LOUISIANA THE STATE WE'RE IN.

LPB KELLY AT THE CAPITOL ALMOST 247 GOT A BUNK THERE IT SEEMS