This has been a really difficult week, not just in Louisiana, but in the nation. Georgia, Alabama and Missouri all passed extreme abortion bans. Not to be outdone, Louisiana moved forward with it's own version of a six week abortion ban, with no exceptions for rape or incest. SB 184 passed the House Health and Welfare Committee with no objections. Find out what you need to know about Louisiana's Six Week Abortion Ban.
This week, the Louisiana legislature moved forward some important proposals, including SCR 2 to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Committees also advanced SB 155, a constitutional amendment that would allow voters to decide on raising the minimum wage to $9.00/hour, and SB 136, which would end pay secrecy to ensure fair pay for women. All these bills now head to the full Senate and your Senator needs to hear from you!
Representative Katrina Jackson has introduced a bill that would use the state Constitution to take away the right to abortion in Louisiana AND target poor pregnant people who need abortion care by taking away any making sure there could never be any public funding of abortion.
Louisiana lawmakers have an opportunity to vote to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from state and local sales and use taxes. Louisiana leads the nation in single-family households, children in poverty and single family households led by women. Ending this tax would save families $6.4M and females $3.2M each year.
We already exempt necessities such as food, residential utilities, and prescription drugs - so this tax exemption on products that women and babies need for their health and well-being is, just simply, the right thing to do!
Yesterday, Louisiana State Senator J.P. Morrell introduced a resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). The ERA is a proposed Constitutional Amendment that guarantees gender equality. It was introduced in 1923 - almost 100 years ago - and passed by Congress with bipartisan support in 1972. Since then, 37 states have approved it. Ratification by one more state is needed to implement it.
What does it say?
“Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”
Lift Louisiana is partnering with organizations across the state to host Women on Wednesday Town Halls; informative community conversation about the issues that women are facing with in our communities. These events are opportunities to meet fellow activists and organizers and to learn how you can get involved with local organizations working to advance women in the state.
Supreme Court Grants Emergency Stay in Abortion Case
Delaying a rogue ruling that threatens the extinction of Louisiana clinics
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals refuses to reconsider its rogue decision on a Louisiana law aimed at closing abortion clinics.
01.18.19 (PRESS RELEASE) - Today, the Fifth Circuit refused to reconsider its decision from last year upholding a Louisiana law that requires physicians performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. This means the law will go into effect in the next seven days, pending any legal action to stop it.
Parents giving toys to their children is a hallmark of the holiday season. For some kids whose parents don't have the resources to give them gifts, toy drives can help bring holiday cheer to children (and parents) in need. But other children will spend the holiday season away from their parents because their parents are incarcerated — and that's where this toy drive comes in.
Lift Louisiana and our partners are coordinating this toy drive so moms in prison can give holiday gifts to their children.
