Let the games begin: The Louisiana House expects to spend much of today debating the next fiscal year’s $25 billion budget. The spending plans would pay for agency operating expenses and programs in the new fiscal year that begins July 1. At issue among conservative lawmakers is how much one-time money they want to patch into the budget, versus how deeply they want to cut. On the chopping block and most vulnerable to further reductions are health care services and public college programs. The budget proposal contains an estimated $270 million in one-time money to pay for continuing programs and services, according to an analysis by the Legislative Fiscal Office.
Head of the class: Teach For America has announced that New Orleans teachers Rhonda Kalifey-Aluise, Kira Orange Jones and Sarah Usdin will receive this year’s Peter Jennings Award for Civic Leadership for their combined contributions to expand educational opportunity in the Crescent City. The award is presented annually to Teach For America alumni who have significantly impacted an issue of critical importance to ending educational inequity. “Rhonda, Sarah and Kira are proving that all children can achieve at the highest levels, despite their circumstances, when given the opportunity to do so,” says Kayce Freed Jennings, who will present the award to the recipients. Learn more about the teachers being honored and their efforts in New Orleans schools here.
Heart and soul: After his performance of James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” on American Idol Wednesday night, gospel singer Joshua Ledet once again won high praise from the judges and appears to have a good shot at making the top three finalists when they’re announced on tonight’s 7 p.m. show. “Neither man nor woman has sang that good, with that much compassion, ever,” judge Steven Tyler told the 20-year-old from Westlake. Ledet will return to his home near Lake Charles on Saturday for more filming and a slate of events if he’s named a finalist. American Idol has confirmed a basic schedule of events for the homecoming, including a 2:30 p.m. parade in Westlake staged by the show and a pep rally at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles at 6 p.m. Get all the details at the Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau’s “Team Josh” webpage here.
Today’s poll question: Do you think President Barack Obama’s announcement that he supports gay marriage will have a major impact in his bid for re-election this fall?
