Gov. John Bel Edwards

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

That’s why my administration worked closely with Rep. Deshotel to create the Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities grant program. This program will provide grants for broadband infrastructure, connecting more than 471,000 unserved residents. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

A strong internet structure is essential to economic competitiveness, access to healthcare, educational opportunities, and an overall better quality of life. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

It’s also with a focus on the future that we are working to eliminate the digital divide – a goal I have set to accomplish by 2029. Internet is something most of us take for granted. But there are too many Louisianans who still don’t have access. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We are not going back to the days of deficits, fiscal cliffs and one-time dollars for recurring expenditures. And we will continue to be focused on empowering families and communities for the future. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

This is a balanced budget that is responsible, transformational, and continues my administration’s practice of only using one-time dollars for one-time expenses. It’s a promise I made six years ago and one that I have not deviated from. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

Some folks may ask why this is a priority. Our businesses are still recovering from the pandemic. If we don’t replenish the trust fund, it will automatically trigger an increase in taxes on businesses in the state – big and small, which pay into the trust fund. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

My budget proposal also dedicates $550 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding to replenish Louisiana’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which had been funded at historically high levels prior to the pandemic. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We’ve made significant progress, but the funds we are receiving from the federal government will allow us to catapult big ticket projects from talk to action. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We’re all tired of the jokes about knowing you’ve entered Louisiana when the roads get bad. Since becoming governor, we’ve invested nearly $4.7 billion in projects, including 6,312 miles of our highways, in order to change that narrative. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

My proposal includes more than $1.1 billion in funding for critical infrastructure, such as $500 million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, an additional $100 million for the Lake Charles bridge and $500 million for water and sewer improvements. #LaSOTS #lagov https://t.co/DedE0ug9gc — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

With funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the American Rescue Plan, and our normal Capital Outlay program, we will make meaningful progress on Mega-projects and deferred maintenance projects that have been sitting on a shelf for decades. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

Most notably, we are going to invest in infrastructure unlike any time in our history. Roads, bridges, ports, railways, water and sewage systems, orphan wells, and broadband. They all need our attention. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

The items I’ve mentioned so far are recurring expenditures. But we also have a momentous opportunity this year to commit one-time dollars to one-time expenses. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We can never adequately compensate the men and women who put their lives on the line for public safety. However, it is important that we have the ability to recruit, train, and retain the best in law enforcement. They deserve it. And the public deserves it. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We are also including a $100 per month supplemental pay increase for eligible first responders, which includes law enforcement officers and firefighters. Here in Louisiana, we need to put to rest this talk about defunding the police. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

There are many direct support workers like Sheliaka who understand how important their jobs are and want to stay. But at the end of the day, they have to be able to pay their bills. They deserve more than this raise, but I hope it can be a step towards change. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

But that hasn’t stopped Sheliaka Harvey who is a certified health manager and direct service worker at Terrebone Arc in Houma. She helps take care of 6 women. She says she cares for them as if they are her own family and seeing them smile makes her day. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

My budget also includes a $12 per diem increase for intermediate care facilities for people living with intellectual disabilities. The funding will be used to support Direct Service Workers in the medical field. The pay is too low and the work is difficult. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

It is the least we can do for the people who never gave up on our students despite unprecedented circumstances, and it continues our goal of getting teacher pay up to at least the Southern Regional Average. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

However, I believe we can do even better. That’s why I am recommending that the first $50 million of any increase in the revenue forecast that the REC may recognize before the budget is passed go to increasing teacher raises to $2,000. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

Shaping the future always, always begins with education. The budget I have proposed includes investments at every level. #LaSOTS #lagov https://t.co/6Tfc041tb6 — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We have a once in a generation opportunity to shape our future, and we must take advantage of it. It is not an exaggeration to say that the choices that will be made this session will have a lasting legacy for the state. We have to get this right. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

It adds up to a historic opportunity to transform our state through investments in education, infrastructure projects that have been pipe dreams, long overdue pay raises for some of our most dedicated workers, and combating the effects of climate change. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

Today, as I stand here before you, we have hundreds of millions in surplus, even more in current year excess, and billions in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

We are also in a much better place today than we were six years ago. At my first state of the state, I had just inherited a billion-dollar budget deficit to close out that fiscal year, and a two-billion-dollar deficit for the year that started July 1, 2016. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

That is in large part due to healthcare heroes around the state and the stalwart team at @LADeptHealth, including State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter and Secretary Dr. Courtney Phillips. They may be weary, but they have not wavered in their efforts to save lives. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that we are in a much better place today than we were two years ago. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

Just because the proclamation is expiring doesn’t mean COVID is over. If the circumstances call for it, I will not hesitate to declare another emergency. But God willing, we will never have to see such difficult mitigation measures in our state again. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

This decision was certainly not made lightly. I have met with the Division of Administration, @GOHSEP, @LADeptHealth, and @LANationalGuard to ensure that there will be no federal aid repercussions or other adverse consequences from not renewing the proclamation. #LaSOTS #lagov — PolitiTweet.org

Gov. John Bel Edwards @LouisianaGov

On March 11, 2020 I signed a public health emergency for COVID-19. And while it changed to reflect the ebb and flow of the pandemic, it has remained in effect since then. This Wednesday, the order expires. And after 24 months, I will not be renewing it. #LaSOTS #lagov https://t.co/rOTc9yuSe8 — PolitiTweet.org