Louisiana Politics

Jeff Landry calls session to reshape criminal justice

BY JESSICA WILLIAMS | Capitol News Bureau Editor

Crime session: At Gov. Jeff Landry's request, state lawmakers beginning Monday will mull sweeping changes to Louisiana's criminal justice system, James Finn reports. See what's at issue.

Public defense: Landry and the state's chief public defender want the Legislature to strip power from a board that oversees public defense in Louisiana, and instead, grant Landry and the public defender that oversight. Meghan Friedmann and John Simerman have the story.

Blue Cross falls apart: Stephanie Riegel has this in-depth look at why Blue Cross Blue Shield pulled the plug on its plans to sell its brand to a for-profit insurer, Elevance.

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Numbers to Know

Louisiana spends $7.5M on defense programs related to death penalty cases

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The Louisiana Public Defender Board had a total budget of $50.5M last year

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Senate Bill 8, which Landry supports, would put public defense spending and funding more directly under his control

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Source: Louisiana Legislature, chief Public Defender Rémy Starns

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