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F r i d ay, a p r i l 17, 2026
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Senate panel OKs parental leave bill
Proposal grants six weeks for school workers BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer
Louisiana teachers and other public school employees would get six weeks of paid parental leave under a bill advancing through the state Legislature that aims to make it easier for educators to take time to care for their new children. Senate Bill 157, known as the Parental Leave for Educators Act,
cleared the Senate education committee Wednesday and would provide school employees with full pay for six weeks after they give birth to, adopt or foster a child. Teachers currently must use sick days to spend time with their new children or request partially paid extended leave. Proponents of the bill, including the state teachers union and public health advocates, argue it will
2024, and that several Southern states provide it to teachers. “When it comes to caring for children, that’s not a luxury,” said 2026 bill’s author, state Sen. Sam LEGISLATURE the Jenkins, D-Shreveport. “That is a necessity.” EDUCATION The bill faces opposition from boost teacher retention and spare school district leaders. On Wedneseducators from having to save or day, the statewide groups repreborrow sick days or forfeit part of senting local school boards and their paychecks to care for their school superintendents came out new children. They also note that against the proposal. Louisiana has offered state emSome superintendents argue ployees paid parental leave since that teachers already receive
FAMILY TRIP
paid leave through school breaks and sick days. Dannie Garrett, executive counsel for the Louisiana School Boards Association, said school system leaders worry the bill will saddle students with substitute teachers for weeks on end while their teachers are out on leave. “We believe it’s going to encourage more teachers to take more time off,” he said, “which leaves more kids without a certified
ä See LEAVE, page 5A
LAFAYETTE PARISH
Library tax renewal on ballot May 16 BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
A pair of Canada geese lead their goslings in a pond at the Lafayette Visitor Center. For the second year in a row, Canada geese have shown up and had a brood of goslings at the center located in between the northeast and northwest lanes of the Evangeline Thruway.
The renewal of a Lafayette Public Library tax that generates 65% of the library system’s annual revenue is on the May 16 ballot. Voters are being asked to renew the 3.12-mill property tax for 10 years starting in 2027. The 3.12 mills is a renewal, but also represents a 0.21 increase due to the reappraisal of property in Lafayette Parish by the Assessor’s Office, according to the proposition on the ballot. The change is allowed by law so that the tax generates the same amount of money as before the reappraisal. The tax generates about $8.89 million a year for operation and
ä See LIBRARY, page 5A
Cassidy leads rivals in fundraising, spending on advertising BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
President Donald Trump’s endorsement of U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow has yet to help her close the money gap with the man she is trying to unseat, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. Fundraising figures released this week in Louisiana’s hotly contested Senate Republican primary show that Cassidy and a super PAC supporting him raised more mon-
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ELECTION 2026
guarantee him a first or sec$17.4 million on advertising, ond place finish in the May 16 compared to only $5 million U.S. SENATE primary and a spot in the June for Letlow and $680,000 for 27 party runoff. Independent Fleming, according to AdImey than Letlow or state Treasurer polls have shown the three pact, a media tracking firm in John Fleming, the other major candidates bunched closely Virginia. Republican candidate, during the together. Fleming has remained comIndependent polls also have Cassidy first three months of 2026. petitive in polls even though Fleming Letlow As of April 1, Cassidy also had shown Cassidy trailing both he is barely raising any money millions of dollars more in the Letlow and Fleming in head-to- ably than favorably. and has spent much less on adverbank than either Letlow or Flem- head matchups, an unenviable poCassidy has yet to break clear of tising. The winner of the Republican ing, the figures showed. sition for a two-term incumbent. his two opponents, even though he What’s not clear is whether Cassidy is weighed down by hav- and his supporters have bombardä See CASSIDY, page 5A Cassidy’s money advantage will ing more voters view him unfavor- ed the airwaves. They have spent
Business ......................6A Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................4A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C
101ST yEAR, NO. 291