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Caught some fish? Here are some recipes to try

Thu, 04/02/2020 - 8:45am

With many people either working from home or laid off during this pandemic, more homecooked meals are being prepared on a regular basis.
Taking a break from home chores can also mean a fishing trip to a local river or bayou.
Here are a few recipes to consider:

BAKED FISH WITH BACON STUFFING
3 cups soft bread crumbs
1 Tbsp. bacon drippings
¼ cup onion, finely chopped
¼ cup diced bacon, cooked
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. water
Seasonings
2 lbs. dressed fish
Soft butter or margarine
Lemon wedges
Mix together bread crumbs, bacon drippings, onion, bacon, lemon juice, water and seasonings, to create stuffing.
Place stuffing lightly in cavity of fish; do not skewer.
Spread butter on bottom of baking pan, place fish on top of butter.
Bake in a 400 degree oven 40 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

FISH COURTBOUILLION
5 lbs. catfish, cut into large pieces
¼ cup water
Salt
Black pepper
Red pepper
3 Tbsp. oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch parsley, chopped
1 large bay leaf
2 Tbsp. flour
¼ tsp. thyme
3 ribs celery, chopped
2 slices lemon
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1½ cans tomato sauce
1 large bell pepper, chopped
Rub pieces of fish with salt, black pepper and red pepper.
Put oil in heavy, cold pot. Arrange layer of fish on bottom.
Mix together bell pepper, garlic, celery, onion and parsley. Sprinkle over fish.
Sprinkle a tablespoon of flour over vegetables and cover with half of the tomato sauce.
Repeat with a layer of fish, a layer of vegetables, a tablespoon of flour and the remaining tomato sauce.
Add thyme, bay leaf, lemon and water.
Place pot on very low fire and cook slowly one hour or until tender. Shake pot often to keep from sticking; do not stir.
When cooked, season to taste.

BAKED REDFISH
1 large redfish
Salt
Pepper
4 Tbsp. chopped celery
3½ cups stewing tomatoes
1 tsp. mustard
1 tsp. catsup
Oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp. chopped bell pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 pint water
Season fish with salt and pepper.
Place small amount of oil in skillet. Add onions; cook until wilted.
Combine remaining ingredients with water. Cover and simmer about two hours.
Place fish in baking dish. Pour cooked sauce over fish.
Bake at 350 degrees 40 to 50 minutes. Serve with rice.

CATFISH GUMBO
1 cup roux
¼ bell pepper, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
Salt
Pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 Tbsp. minced parsley
1 large catfish
In deep soup pot, add roux and about two quarts cold water. Stir until mixed while heating over medium-high heat.
Add chopped green onions, bell pepper, celery, onion and parsley.
Season with salt, black pepper and red pepper.
Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and allow to cook one hour.
Remove bones from catfish.
Cut catfish into small chunks and add to gumbo. Boil only until catfish is tender.
Serve with rice.

FRIED SAC AU LAIT
Sac au lait
Salt
Prepared mustard
½ cup flour
Cooking oil
Hot sauce
Black pepper
Lemon juice
1 cup cornmeal
In small bowl, mix hot sauce, salt and pepper. Rub on fish.
Mix prepared mustard and lemon juice. Rub on fish, inside and outside.
Put cornmeal and flour in brown paper bag. Shake bag to mix.
Place fish into bag and shake until coated.
Place coated fish into hot oil and fry until done. Drain on paper towels.
FISH IN A PACKAGE
4 fillets any fish
Salt
Red pepper
Black pepper
Basil
Paprika
Lemon
Dried parsley
1 large bell pepper, sliced
1 large onion, sliced in strips
4 to 6 whole baby carrots
1 pack fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 can chicken broth
4 Tbsp. light soy sauce
Season fish with salt, red pepper, black pepper, basil, paprika, lemon and dried parsley.
Divide and place seasoned fish fillets on four pieces of aluminum foil and form foil into a bowl.
Add bell pepper, onion, carrots and mushrooms to each foil package.
Divide the chicken broth and soy sauce between the foil packs.
Fold foil so it forms a tightly sealed package. Place on a tray.
Cook in a 350 F oven until cooked.
Serve in foil package.
Serves 4.

LEMON BAKED CATFISH FILLETS
2 lbs. catfish fillets
Dijon mustard
Hot sauce
Salt
Granulated garlic (not powder)
Lemon herb seasoning (not lemon pepper)
Butter
Butter flavored non-stick spray
1 medium white onion, finely diced
Lemon and green onions, for garnish
Water for gravy
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Clean catfish fillets under running water.
Baste fish with mustard. Place in zip lock bag and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Before cooking, bring fish to room temperature.
Spray one-inch deep pan with non-stick spray.
Season both sides of fillets with garlic powder. Season lightly with salt and generously with lemon herb seasoning.
Melt butter in baking pan.
Add onions to butter and sauté until onions turn brown.
Add fish and bake until slightly brown. Baste with butter sauce.
Add hot sauce to taste.
After fish is baked and still in pan, add a small amount of water to make a sauce.
Stir until a thin brown gravy is created.
Serves 4.

Man’s closeness to mother puts distance in relationship

Thu, 04/02/2020 - 8:40am

By Jeanne Phillips, ©United Features Syndicate

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend is 31 and still goes to his mother’s house and spends the night, even though we live less than 15 minutes away. He knows it upsets me, yet every time she asks him to spend the night, he goes. He left our children home alone while I worked overnight because it was her birthday.
His relationship with his mother is a large part of why we aren’t married, and the fact that he continues to spend the night there is leading to huge fights. Is this normal or not?
FED UP IN OHIO

DEAR FED UP: That your boyfriend would leave minor children alone and without supervision while he spends the night with his mother — birthday or not — is unusual. It would have been more logical for him to have invited his mother to your house to celebrate the occasion.
That said, you cannot control what your boyfriend does. I suspect there’s a lot more wrong with your relationship than the fact that he hasn’t emotionally separated from his mother. You two could benefit from couples counseling to sort out not only his relationship with his mother, but also your relationship with each other. If he won’t go, go alone to get clarity on how to proceed with your future.

DEAR ABBY: I have a good friend who has a frustratingly bad habit. Every year, she makes a point of mentioning her upcoming birthday at least a couple of times a week, starting about four months before the day. It is never mentioned the rest of the year.
If I want to buy someone a birthday gift, I make the effort to find out when their special day is and act accordingly. If I don’t wish to provide a gift, then no amount of nagging will guilt me into it. I do not want to end the friendship because she is an otherwise nice person and a good friend, but I’m sick of the nagging. Any suggestions on how to tactfully but effectively deal with this?
NAGGED IN FLORIDA

DEAR NAGGED: The next time your friend starts up, respond by saying, “You have already told me.” When she does it for the third time say, “You know, this is getting old. It looks like you are soliciting a gift.” Then tell her if she keeps it up, you WON’T buy her one. I’ll bet it works!

DEAR ABBY: Sometimes when my boyfriend and I go out with another couple and I’m talking, he abruptly says, “I never get a word in,” or, “Can anyone else talk?” Abby, if I don’t talk, he just sits there like a lump on a log. It’s embarrassing, and I have asked him not to say that in front of other people. How should I respond when he makes cruel remarks in front of other people?
AWKWARD SILENCE IN NEW YORK

DEAR AWKWARD: Is what your boyfriend says true? Or is it that he has trouble making social conversation? If that’s the case, perhaps you should make more of an effort to draw the “lump” into the conversation. However, if it’s not true, then what he’s doing may be an effort to appear to be the dominant partner in your relationship.
When it happens again — and I’m betting it will — your response should be, “Ouch. That was hurtful and embarrassing. If you have a complaint about my behavior, please be considerate and make it privately.”
***
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

Corps considers opening Bonnet Carre'

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 8:22pm

After a sudden increase in the predicted crest of the Mississippi River at New Orleans, the U.S. Army Corps of En-gineers is considering a recommendation to open the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway.

No opening of the Morganza Spillway, which would divert more water from the Mississippi in the Atchafalaya system, is being contemplated for now, said Rene Poche, public information officer for Corps’ New Orleans District.

“However, as we saw [Wednesday], the forecast can change so we will continue to monitor and are prepared to respond if necessary,” Poche said.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi River was predicted to crest at 16.9 feet at the Carrollton gauge in New Orleans. That would mean a flow of less than the 1.25 million cubic feet per second “operational” trigger that would lead to the opening of the Bonnet Carre'.

That spillway sends water out of Lake Pontchartrain toward the Mississippi coast.

But on Wednesday, the predicted crest at the Carrollton gauge was raised to 17.3 feet, which would top the 1.25 million cubic feet per second trigger, Poche said.

“Based on this forecast and projected flow, the New Orleans District is considering the need to recommend operation of the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway to safely pass this high water through the city of New Orleans,” he said.

At 1 p.m. Wednesday, the National Weather Service said the Atchafalaya at Morgan City was at 6.65 feet, above the 6.0-foot stage that causes minor flooding inside the flood walls. The river is expected to reach 7.1 feet Monday, above the 7.0-foot stage that causes moderate flooding.

Lake Palourde was at 4.54 feet at 1 p.m., above the 4.0-foot “action stage” but below the 5.0-foot flood stage.

Opening the Bonnet Carre’ became controversial after the spillway was opened twice in 2019, the first time that had happened since it was built after the flood of 1927.

A coalition of Mississippi officials and environmentalists sued the Corps and the Mississippi River Commission, alleging that those agencies should have consulted with them before opening the spillway, causing flooding in Mississippi and damage to that state’s saltwater fisheries.

The concern in St. Mary has been that the lawsuit might lead to a greater diversion of Mississippi River water into the Atchafalaya system by way of the Morganza Spillway as an alternative to the Bonnet Carre’. That could mean additional flooding here and additional sediment in important commercial waterways

Louisiana COVID-19 cases rise again

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 5:22pm

Energy CEOs to converge on White House

LEO HONEYCUTT

BATON ROUGE

Coronavirus numbers were up again Wednesday in Louisiana by 1,187 additional cases over a 24-hour period. Louisiana Department of Health reports a moderation in the death rate, posting 34 more deaths when 54 Louisianans had died the day before. LDH reports 6,424 Louisianans have the Coronavirus of which nearly 1,500 have been admitted to hospitals. Nearly 500 are on ventilators and hospital officials say they are running out of the machines. Ventilators enable patients to cut recovery times by up to 75%.
Governor John Bel Edwards says 150 ventilators should arrive from the federal government in the coming days but even that will be woefully inadequate. He says the state has ordered 14,000, mostly from private vendors, but grimly estimates some patients will die if Coronavirus victims inundate hospitals. He admonishes citizens to stay at home at all costs.
“This is going to play out over several months,” the governor said in Wednesday’s press conference. “People should start coming to terms that this is going to take a long time getting back to normal. I know that’s not what everybody wants to hear but it’s consistent with the information we keep getting.”
Meanwhile, CEOs of the nation’s top oil producers have called a summit with President Trump for this Friday. Louisiana is one of the top four oil producers in the United States. Crude prices since January have plummeted from $60 per barrel down to $20 per barrel as a production war rages between Russia and Saudi Arabia. Now with 90 percent of the world staying home, Gifford Briggs, president of Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, says oil reserves are on the verge of maxing out, meaning producers are running out of storage facilities. “This is driving prices even lower,” says Briggs. “Louisiana crude on the open market in some cases has been selling as low as $6 per barrel. This could decimate Louisiana’s oil patch, perhaps worse than the 1980s.”
While the convergence of competing energy CEOs is unusual, especially at the White House, sources close to organizers of the summit insist the group is not asking for a bailout.
In Louisiana, each dollar drop in crude prices equals a $12-million drop in state severance revenues. Louisiana’s budget is based on $54 per barrel oil. Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate crude hovered at $20.94/barrel. “If this Russia-Saudi oil war keeps going,” says LSU Economist Emeritus Dr. Loren Scott, “and oil remains about $30/bbl below what we budgeted, that means Louisiana could suffer a $360 million loss in revenue. That could certainly mean a cutback in state services.”
Governor John Bel Edwards says he has been communicating with some Louisiana energy leaders and the outlook, he says, is not good. “This is a very distressing situation for them and for our state,” the governor acknowledged. “It’s good news for our drivers with cheap prices at the pump, but it’s bittersweet because we would much rather see the price of gas back up. We remain committed here in Louisiana to do what we can do to help our companies.”

St. Mary region 'pops up on the radar' for spread of COVID-19

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 3:59pm

Five Louisiana parishes have death rates among top 15 among U.S. counties

The Department of Health region that includes St. Mary Parish "popped up on the radar" Wednesday as the area where the spread of COVID-19 is happening at the state's highest rate, Gov. John Bel Edwards said in his daily press conference.

Two of the parishes in the region rank in the top 15 counties in the United States in the COVID-19 death rate. One, St. John the Baptist Parish, has the highest death rate per 100,000 people in the nation.

Edwards called the chart containing the death rate statistics "the most disturbing graph I have seen."

The state's Region 3 covers St. Mary, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. James, St. Charles and St. John the Baptist. Together, they contain 497 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 from a combined population of about 429,000. The region now has the most rapid growth of COVID-19 among the nine regions.

St. John, where 13 people have died, has a COVID-19 death rate of 27.5 per 100,000 residents, the highest among U.S. counties.

"For a parish that size, that's very troubling," Edwards said. "It shows we have a lot of work to do across the state of Louisiana."

St. Charles ranked sixth among U.S. counties with a death rate of 11.3 per 100,000. Jefferson Parish (13.1) ranks fifth, and Ascension (4.8) ranks 14th.

No deaths have been reported in St. Mary or Assumption. Seven people have died in St. Charles. Four people each have died in St. James and Lafourche, and one person died in Terrebonne.

The governor made another plea for residents to comply with social distancing, to stay home, to wash hands frequently with soap and water and to follow mitigation measures to slow the spread of the disease and avoid a sudden rush of patients that will overwhelm area hospitals.

The search for ventilators, which can keep alive people who suffer from the severe respiratory problems that may accompany that disease, goes on.

Edwards said the 150 ventilators promised to Louisiana by President Donald Trump from a national strategic stockpile have been delivered and are being distributed by the National Guard.

But the number of people hospitalized in Louisiana is approaching 1,500, about a third of whom are on ventilators. The number of new COVID-19 cases has risen about 20% in each of the last two days.

"Right now, we expect that people will die because they can't receive the care they need," Edwards said.

That makes it vital to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease, the governor said.

"How much worse it gets will depend on us," Edwards said. "And by us I mean each and every one of us."

First responders take precautions against COVID-19

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:47pm

GEOFF STOUTE

Local law enforcement agencies and first responders have instituted measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Law enforcement agencies in the Tri-City area have limited contact between their employees and the public as much as possible, while they also have halted visitors to their facilities to see inmates. All St. Mary Parish law enforcement facilities are free of the virus, officials said this week, while law enforcement personnel are equipped with personal protective equipment.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said that new prisoners that are brought into the jail have been isolated in a wing from the prison’s general population out of precaution.
“Actually, it’s a dorm that’s just been repaired, and it wasn’t being used, so everything in it is new,” he said.
Additionally, those who haven’t committed violent crimes that can’t afford the bond are being allowed by the judicial system to be released on their own recognizance, a practice that is also being conducted by other agencies, Smith said.
Morgan City Police Department Capt. Teddy Liner said that only corrections officers are allowed in the jails at the moment.
He also said that the police department’s front lobby has been closed, and officers are handling complaints via phone if they can.
In Berwick, Chief David Leonard said the department is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
“On top of that, we’re trying to use common sense,” he said. “Obviously, if we’re going to a medical call, we try to screen them and use social distance, try to get a background history.”
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan said that his officers are not incarcerating those who commit misdemeanor offenses. Instead, they are arrested and released on a summons. However, those who commit serious or felony crimes are arrested still.
As for first responders, Acadian Ambulance is following CDC guidelines for personal protective equipment regarding disinfecting its ambulances and for all other matters related to transporting suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, said Randall Mann, Acadian vice president of marketing and public relations.
When they are dispatched to a call, Acadian finds out whether the patient has COVID-19 symptoms. Regardless, the crew wears gowns, gloves, N95 masks and an eye shield, Mann said. He said the only time they wouldn’t wear this protective attire is if the call is for an accident such as a fall.
Morgan City Fire Chief Alvin Cockerham said that when his department responds to a call, they seek as much information as they can through 911 and Acadian Ambulance about whether the patient has any COVID-19 symptoms.
If Acadian is working another call when the fire department arrives, Cockerham said they will “make limited access” until Acadian arrives.
“If it’s a cardiac arrest or something like that, we’ll do it (make entry), but we’re going to be on air (packs) with our full protective gears just in case,” he said.
As for firefighting, the only change with the virus has been the burn ban issued by the state fire marshal’s office.
“A lot of areas, they’ve had firemen exposed to it, to this disease, and they’re shorthanded,” Cockerham said. “We haven’t had that here, but there’s a statewide ban on burning unless you have permission to have a burn pit from a fire department.”

Man accused of assaulting dating partner

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:44pm

Staff Report
Morgan City police arrested a man on a charge of assaulting his dating partner, Police Chief James F. Blair said.
—Thomas Clay, 57, West Park, Gray, was arrested at 8:55 p.m. Monday on a charge of aggravated assault on a dating partner.
Officers were dispatched to Robin Street for a disturbance.
Officers learned Clay had assaulted his dating partner. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
Blair reported that the department responded to 33 calls for service in the 24-hour reporting period.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 26 complaints and made the following arrests:
—Donte Jovan Harris, 24, Mount Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 7:05 a.m. Monday on charges of resisting arrest or officer, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Bail was set at $10,000.
—William Joseph Mouton, 20, Willow Bend, Youngsville, was arrested 4:09 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace-intoxicated. Mouton was released on a summons to appear June 29.
—James Richard Domingue, 20, Saddlewood Corner, Lafayette, was arrested at 4:06 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of disturbing the peace-intoxicated. Domingue was released on a summons to appear June 29.

Morgan City police radio logs for March 30-31

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:40pm

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Monday, March 30
5:27 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Complaint.
8:14 a.m. 400 block of Federal Avenue; Medical.
8:22 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Complaint.
8:51 a.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Disturbance.
10:55 a.m. 1200 block of David Drive; Medical.
11:01 a.m. 6800 block of La. 182; Stalled vehicle.
11:35 a.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Assistance.
1:27 p.m. 500 block of Front Street; Vandalism.
2:01 p.m. Morgan City Police Department; Harassment.
2:29 p.m. 1200 block of Victor II Boulevard; Complaint.
2:40 p.m. 1400 block of Railroad Avenue; Complaint.
2:58 p.m. Villa Apartments; Complaint.
3:01 p.m. La. 70 and Marguerite Street; Stalled vehicle.
3:04 p.m. 800 block of Poplar Street; Complaint.
3:58 p.m. 1200 block of Youngs Road; 911 hang up call.
4:51 p.m. 1000 block of Kimberly Drive; Welfare check.
5:00 p.m. 900 block of Belanger Street; Complaint.
5:29 p.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Civil.
5:44 p.m. 200 block of Second Street; Medical.
6:16 p.m. 200 block of Second Street; Animal complaint.
6:53 p.m. Greenwood and Fourth streets; Complaint.
7:23 p.m. 300 block of Grizzaffi Street; Theft.
8:16 p.m. 200 block of Robin Street; Arrest.
8:17 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
8:33 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Removal of subject.
9:38 p.m. 7200 block of La. 182; Complaint.
11:43 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Patrol request.
11:55 p.m. 400 block of Aucoin Street; Open door.
Tuesday, March 31
12:47 a.m. 500 block of Duke Street; Welfare check.
2:27 a.m. 600 block of Fourth Street; Patrol request.
2:39 a.m. 3000 block of Allison Street; Loud music.
3:11 a.m. La. 182; Traffic incident.
4:39 a.m. 7300 block of La. 182; Alarm.

As COVID-19 spreads, workers question safety

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:37pm

By LEO HONEYCUTT

BATON ROUGE — Coronavirus numbers continue to skyrocket both in the country and in Louisiana. Worldwide, Coronavirus cases are zooming past 800,000. Close to 40-thousand have died.
The United States is far and away the leader in the pandemic, partly because Americans are far more mobile and testing has ramped up.
Confirmed deaths: 2,467 Americans which will top 3,000 by late Tuesday.
In Louisiana, Department of Health numbers Tuesday noon exploded by 1,212 cases overnight with 54 more deaths, the most yet in a 24-hour period. Fatalities were twice the day before which was twice the day before that. The escalating figures mean Louisiana remains an epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak, particularly in New Orleans.
In his daily press conferences at the Governor’s Office on Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, Gov. John Bel Edwards remains emphatic that people stay home and out of circulation, keep scrubbing their hands -theirs and their childrens’- and, if someone has to go out, they should wear masks and latex gloves.
But thousands don’t have the option to stay at home. Medical personnel, those delivering food and medicine, transportation workers, banks, gas stations, and even baristas at coffee shops are all considered essential. Many of those workers are beginning to question how to balance their own personal safety with keeping their jobs. Monday, thousands delivering food for the delivery service “Instacart” went on strike while other strikers walked out at an Amazon warehouse in New York because they say the companies are not doing enough to protect their health. Tuesday, workers at Whole Foods called for a sick out. They want paid leave, hazard pay and more testing for Covid-19, the coronavirus.
“When people have to go to work,” said Edwards, “the way they conduct themselves is the only thing that should give them peace of mind. They should practice social distancing and all the other safeguards we’ve talked about -hand sanitizing, face masks. But just because you have to get out and go to work every day doesn’t mean you have to stop at every establishment on the way home.
"Just because you can go to the store doesn’t mean you should go every day and it doesn’t mean everybody in your household ought to be going.”
That’s little comfort to one north Louisiana registered nurse. Her mother posted on Facebook that her daughter had to quit her medical facility because of the lack of protective gear.
“My daughter is an RN,” she posted. (We are protecting her identity.) “She has to give her notice. Not enough protective gear. Doesn’t want [to take] this virus home to her family.”
The Food and Drug Administration Monday approved a new coronavirus test that gives results within fifteen minutes. The new test is now in trials in Detroit but officials say they can ramp up rapidly. Currently, getting results from coronavirus testing can take days.
But the new test may be too little too late for workers who are now faced with the dilemma of keeping their health while keeping their jobs.

Legislators meet briefly, then suspend session

Wed, 04/01/2020 - 12:32pm

By DAVID JACOBS, The Center Square

The Louisiana Legislature convened for about an hour Tuesday before suspending their session once again because of coronavirus concerns.
Their brief meeting followed news that one of their own, state Rep. Ted James, was hospitalized with pneumonia and COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus.
James, a Baton Rouge Democrat and attorney who chairs the House criminal justice committee, is 37 years old.
“I hope my constituents and the people of Louisiana look at my experience and understand that this virus does not know age, race, health, or socioeconomic status,” James said in a prepared statement.
The regular session opened March 9 and was first suspended March 16. It will end June 1, though a special session could be held immediately afterward. Spending bills must be approved before the fiscal year begins July 1.
This year’s scheduled session is non-fiscal, meaning most tax matters are off the table, though a special session could have a broader scope. Either the governor or a majority of legislators can call a special session.
Tuesday was the last day to introduce bills for the regular session. Attendance was light, and lawmakers gave each other extra space. After reading in the last batch of proposed legislation, lawmakers adjourned without setting a return date.
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez agreed to “keep it open-ended until we see a clear path to come back,” Schexnayder said. “That will give us the flexibility to determine the best time to be here.”
Almost two dozen bills mentioning coronavirus or COVID-19 have been filed. James has filed two resolutions urging temporary suspension of utility disconnections and certain legal deadlines. Other measures would suspend standardized testing in schools, require health insurers to cover COVID-19, or exempt federal relief payments from from seizure by a creditor.