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T u e s d ay, a p r i l 8, 2025
La. aims to ban soda for SNAP recipients
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Officials brace for loss of up to $86M La. Health Department funding part of DOGE cuts
BY EMILY WOODRUFF
Staff writer
The Louisiana Department of Health, which runs the state’s Medicaid program and scores of initiatives aimed at improving public health, may lose tens of millions of dollars in funding due to federal program cuts initiated by the Trump administration through its Department of Government Efficiency. According to DOGE’s public “wall of receipts,” which billionaire Elon Musk, who is leading the cost-cutting endeavor, has posted in an effort to show how he is reshaping federal spending, Louisiana is expected to lose at least $128.5 million in federal funding overall through the efforts of DOGE, with the largest share attributed to the Health Department. DOGE’s savings estimates have not always proven reliable, however, and Health Department spokesperson Emma Herrock said internal projections suggest the losses will not exceed $86 million.
ä See HEALTH, page 5A
STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON
Proposed legislation in Louisiana would ban soft drink purchases from the federal food assistance program for lowincome residents.
Nutrition legislation also targets school food, seed oils BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer
Louisiana is preparing to join a national effort bubbling up to ban soft drink purchases under SNAP, the federal food assistance program for low-income residents, as part of a larger push to reshape food policy led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gov. Jeff Landry announced on social media last week that the state will request a federal waiver to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for soft drinks. “Louisiana will lead the way in the MAHA movement,” Landry posted, referring to Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, the growing movement championed by Kennedy, head of the U.S. Depart-
“We’re constantly surrounded by poison. It’s why we’re by far and away the most unhealthy nation in the world and the most unhealthy state within that nation.”
Senate Bill 14 would also ban ultraprocessed ingredients in public schools, such as those in shelf-stable breads, Little Debbie snacks and sports drinks that contain certain dyes. It would also require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic STATE SEN. PATRICK MCMATH, health, and mandate that restauR-Covington rants clearly disclose if they cook with seed oils such as canola, soybean or corn oil. “We’re constantly surrounded ment of Health and Human Services, that focuses on personal choice by poison,” McMath said in an inand nutrition-based health reform terview. “It’s why we’re by far and over public health care programs. away the most unhealthy nation in The soda ban is part of a sweep- the world and the most unhealthy ing nutrition bill filed by state Sen. state within that nation.” Roughly 850,000 Louisiana resiPatrick McMath, R-Covington, who also introduced separate legislation dents — about 20% of the state’s this session to remove fluoride from ä See SODA, page 5A Louisiana’s drinking water.
Prosecution in election case could be challenging Parts of law previously ruled unconstitutional
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
In mid-March, Chun Ping “Eddie” Lau was arrested, accused of violating a state campaign ethics law that prohibits distributing knowingly false information in a campaign during a recent election. Prosecuting Lau may be difficult, however, as the Louisiana Supreme Court has erred on the side of free speech in previous court cases dealing with the law, declaring parts of the law
Bill seeks to ensure ICE cooperation
and Customs Enforcement criminals and people who are here Measure would make tion or other federal immigration illegally. It’s not much more comagencies. Those of- plicated than that.” it a crime to interfere enforcement For the most part, state and local ficials could be charged with malwith federal agencies feasance in office or even obstruc- law enforcement agencies play a
tion of justice. “I can’t believe that we actually need a law that says that loStaff writer cal officials have to cooperate As President Donald Trump pur- with our federal law enforcement sues a shock-and-awe crackdown officials,” Morris said. “But apon illegal immigration, some Loui- parently around the country it’s siana lawmakers want to “set the become somewhat of a trend in tone” that local law enforcement certain areas to say they are not will cooperate with federal immi- gonna cooperate with the federal government. And I think that’s gration enforcement efforts. Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Mon- wrong.” Morris said he supports Trump’s roe, has filed legislation that would make it a crime for any public of- handling of immigration: “He’s doficial to interfere with Immigra- ing the right thing by deporting
BY ALYSE PFEIL
WEATHER HIGH 72 LOW 41 PAGE 6A
narrow role in immigration detention and deportation. “Immigration law is federal administrative law,” explained Metairie immigration attorney Michael Gahagan. “It’s not criminal law where the judge issues a warrant and the sheriff’s deputy will go out and arrest them at their house based on this arrest warrant.” Federal officers enforce federal laws, Gahagan said. Because of
ä See ICE, page 5A
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ä See ARRESTED, page 6A
A team from the New Orleans Immigration and Customs Enforcement office plans a raid in 2022. A state senator is proposing to make it a crime for any public official to interfere with federal immigration enforcement agencies. STAFF FILE PHOTO By MAX BECHERER
100TH yEAR, NO. 282