LA House Democrats Fight for Working Families and Small Businesses

In a Louisiana Legislative Season shortened by a pandemic that limited the people's ability to advocate for their issues, Democrats stood up for the working families and small businesses of Louisiana. Thanks to The House Democratic Caucus, essential workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic will receive a $250 bonus. The money will go to health care workers, first responders, bus drivers, grocery workers and others in essential positions. House Democrats helped pass the Main Street program -- funded with federal relief money -- that will provide grants of up to $15,000 for Louisiana small businesses that did not receive federal pandemic stimulus funds.

House Democrats also backed:

HB 137 by Rep. Pat Moore, D-Monroe, repeals crime of vagrancy and eliminates a stigma on poor people.

HB 643 by Rep. Frederick Jones, D-Monroe, makes parole cheaper and easier to manage for the state and for parolees.

HB 173 by Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, expands parole eligibility for certain juvenile offenders.

HB 529 by Rep. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, entitles people who've been incarcerated to documentation verifying that they've served their time.

HB 344 by Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, bans solitary confinement in most cases for inmates who are pregnant, who recently gave birth or who are caring for children while in custody.

HB 328 by Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, allows local governments to eliminate sales taxes on diapers and feminine hygiene products.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage Louisiana's citizens and our economy, there's talk of another special session in October. If we're called back to Baton Rouge, Democrats will again stand up for our working families and Put Louisiana First.