Building it up: The Louisiana Construction Education Foundation, a private foundation based in Baton Rouge, has awarded the North Capital Region Jump Start Team a $45,000 grant to promote construction careers at local high schools. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber says the grant award will be used for schools in East Feliciana, West Feliciana, Pointe Coupee and Zachary. BRAC will serve as fiscal agent of the grant and will have direct oversight of its implementation.
Drawing heat: The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal is falling short in its building inspections and fire prevention monitoring, according to a new audit. The Associated Press reports Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera’s Office issued a report today that states the fire marshal hasn’t consistently inspected Louisiana’s schools, universities, state buildings and health facilities to ensure compliance with fire and safety codes. In a written response, State Fire Marshal Butch Browning defended his office’s work, saying the agency has been reorganized and improved since 2008. Read the full story.
By the numbers: President Barack Obama is proposing billions of dollars in government spending to tackle climate change and boost alternative energy sources, even as he makes another plea for Congress to spike tens of billions of dollars in oil and gas industry tax breaks. FuelFix.com report the climate ventures include a program to boost the resiliency of coastal communities that could be battered by more intense storms and a $4 billion fund to encourage states to cut greenhouse gas emissions more quickly than federal regulations require. Read the full story.
