[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6269755,"mediaKeyId","3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7","parentId",3040625,"title","Senator highlights Tulane’s role in Charity Hospital redevelopment, BioDistrict growth","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",1890970,"endMs",1999760,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7&start=1890&end=1999","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7/thumbnail_1890970.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269755/Louisiana/Senator-highlights-Tulanes-role-in-Charity-Hospital-redevelopment-BioDistrict-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269755-dbd02fe2a56a2501d08c5d55a4dbbb58/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135127&Signature=GobyVsSzRrlZG8wsU~3~xYGYYLAOOxdv~~ZRgwiuZT9lpAj2AR0Hlm4OXld9nMPal4Nf~c~0cRE9zdy42aEWEBfdMNaLIXijFDK9Z5Hs9EPI8hPjuiEHG-VVQrBSFbzeTTNt3lIo2qRdB93Ikawp-1KkYRTzpmPOIM6vE-fiZGcgp~skkAnqgLOgnhkCtukaho6Xu62T0vcBWw1EzUVVPHmYssRcbW1vu2h7cWadY-PT9YF6TzRAKjW4SYie7z4hOzfGKrHvTeRYUA92dYKqheEMDSYBY3XJu2XNA4lvGURMHH32KGLcNXJBKQnpTT4oD2aVeMRqOF0gQexw8MMQnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","BATON ROUGE — On April 21, a senator recognized Tulane University’s economic contributions and said the university is expected to play a key role as an anchor tenant if plans proceed to redevelop Charity Hospital and expand the New Orleans BioDistrict.

Why it matters: Redeveloping the Charity Hospital site and strengthening the BioDistrict are pitched as regional economic-development projects that could generate jobs, support research and spur further investment in the New Orleans area.

Senator Plessis introduced Tulane scholars on the floor and praised the university’s statewide role, noting employment and economic figures. “Over 30,000 jobs, nearly $90,000,000, in economics, generated each year,” Plessis said. He said Tulane would be a major anchor tenant should redevelopment of Charity Hospital move forward and described the project as potentially “transformative for the city of New Orleans and for the Southeast Region.”

Plessis said the BioDistrict — created about 20 years ago — is central to the redevelopment vision and that Tulane’s participation would help attract research and jobs. He acknowledged there are “some challenges that we have to overcome” before the project can proceed and noted university officials and partners are actively working on those obstacles.

Senator Plessis thanked Tulane representatives and scholarship recipients present in the chamber and identified Ellen Paul Mateer and President Fitts as university affiliates involved with the effort.

Background and next steps

Plessis presented a resolution recognizing Tulane’s contributions and said he would present the formal resolution to the chamber. He said officials are continuing work on the redevelopment plans and that the university’s involvement remains subject to further planning and resolution of outstanding issues. No final action to alter property or authorize construction was taken on the floor during the remarks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chamber 25RS Day 3 Apr 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A senator acknowledged Tulane University’s economic and research role and said the university could anchor the redevelopment of Charity Hospital as part of the New Orleans BioDistrict, while noting challenges remain to realize the project.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269759,"Senator urges state support for struggling strawberry farmers, cites workforce shortages and disease",181,1583860,1764930,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7&start=1583&end=1764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7/thumbnail_1583860.jpg","/articles/6269759/Louisiana/Senator-urges-state-support-for-struggling-strawberry-farmers-cites-workforce-shortages-and-disease","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269759-16b058b6cc65049d6c3f7089e226b094/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135127&Signature=FGX1GLkr3S6GwTOQw~csjNpgUMQh2v6Rsm5H~4PU5rmdNn9wl9i6NMOb0jmY6zWvWQfmUk1xlFrhW3gkpWxL9Zi80HWIZeAHQ~gmsyPQOsXUufkjd5BRfkmDk2Wje5Shh8oc7V42WL42JGnW8tpoNExLvPBx0-usnTxfsX2B8DxlXY2uO57f1grDGmrRLVSqInoqZSbl-dWoxRbl6118STbW~-HG6M4vAFFN6uPwmCduFTdPQOGRq~hvIh4boHNbfnAK3o0eyMyNaaNM-0K0-Tky499-ves6t7OyXe50griLN0YL8a-npiNIGCwePGCLZxbdjhzJc2YWxcKSBW13hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BATON ROUGE — During a floor appearance April 21, Senator Wheat urged colleagues to support a resolution and federal outreach to address workforce shortages and a fungal disease harming Louisiana strawberry growers.

Why it matters: Strawberry producers told lawmakers they face a shrinking workforce, a crop disease that threatens yields, and federal rules that limit access to some relief programs. The senator said these problems risk the viability of the state’s strawberry industry and broader local economies that rely on seasonal harvests.

Senator Wheat described workforce challenges as the industry’s top problem and urged support for H‑2 worker program reforms at the federal level. “I’m here to tell you guys that strawberry industry is struggling. They have a lot of issues that are facing them in today's world. On the top of the list is their workforce issues trying to get folks to help harvest the crop,” Wheat said on the floor.

Wheat also said the industry’s classification as a “specialty crop” can exclude producers from certain federal grant and relief programs and that lawmakers would pursue changes to improve eligibility for assistance. He said he is working with Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain and agricultural extension agencies on outreach and research into a new fungal infection affecting strawberry fields.

Senator Wheat noted ongoing local planning for a delegation of farmers to visit the Capitol and to speak with the Agriculture Committee. He said Tulip-like consumer messaging and buy-local campaigns are part of the strategy to support growers: “When you go to, select a, strawberry, fruit from the store, make sure it says Louisiana strawberries on there and support our homegrown Louisiana farmers.”

Background and next steps

Wheat asked the Senate to support a forthcoming resolution that would spotlight workforce and specialty‑crop designation concerns and would be used to press federal officials for changes to guest-worker rules and program eligibility. He said state extension services and the commissioner’s office are coordinating research and outreach to mitigate the fungal threat.

No formal vote was recorded on policy changes during the floor remarks; the senator requested colleagues’ support for the resolution and future committee engagement.","On the Senate floor, a senator representing agricultural interests described workforce shortages, federal specialty-crop designation limits, and a new fungal infection affecting Louisiana strawberry producers and asked colleagues to support a resolution and outreach to Washington.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6269764,"Louisiana Senate adopts multiple resolutions and advances many bills to third reading",294,851800,1146470,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7&start=851&end=1146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3040625-c14bd3694e9ea6549b19c6d52d523bb7/thumbnail_851800.jpg","/articles/6269764/Louisiana/Louisiana-Senate-adopts-multiple-resolutions-and-advances-many-bills-to-third-reading","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269764-35398ec0ede7300f38ad1a765897c053/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135127&Signature=allhDGKlYmAGWGSqLAtFKXN5IGzlD4cifVxyzWsj6d6nppA1OmleBvK2nVE90ZEdLVo3GhAljzS9mSUkTSG5~BtyBhCYUjgEs-dbPEzcGV1Ev0diB1lzco03BS-FoZwAXGBVPLOJKsaYY0aMOebnDspulMvnc4G0KUdJD~f3MRHQkKqhAb4ZdzbZNhLuOn5~rbyAKZF2VfATMrkjV5Bsk4mzycAIlLWK5IBR2e8dJR2S2VbUWjRcMJ4MQd9E0wuXd3M6hkeZk4OBz1zaotLuqa1MF0Da4-DnT9qrtcFgIMGfTPABYJzwljcfEQ19J71ow7BV~PPUU-AYmpOgff87sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana State Senate on April 21 unanimously adopted several ceremonial and commemorative resolutions and advanced numerous bills to third reading, moving a large portion of the chamber’s calendar forward ahead of a busy committee schedule next week.

The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 7, commemorating the bicentennial anniversary of the Louisiana Civil Code’s enactment, by voice and machine vote. The secretary closed the roll with a recorded count of 33 ayes and 0 nays. Several house concurrent resolutions honoring local events and anniversaries also passed by unanimous margins on the floor, with recorded tallies reported by the secretary.

Why it matters: The actions move a large number of measures into the chamber’s final consideration phase and clear ceremonial business so committees may continue detailed review on Tuesday’s packed schedule.

Key floor actions

- SCR 7 (Sen. Foyle): Adopted (33–0). The resolution recognizes and commends the bicentennial anniversary of the Louisiana Civil Code’s enactment and its historical role in state law. Senator Ford moved adoption; the machine recorded 33 ayes and 0 nays.

- House Concurrent Resolutions: Multiple HCRs were adopted by unanimous recorded votes. Examples: HCR 5 (designation of Ball as the “Moon Pie Capital of Louisiana”) recorded 34 yeas and 0 nays; HCR 6 (commendation of Casey Duron) recorded 35 yays and 0 nays; HCR 10 (Katrina remembrance) recorded 35 yeas and 0 nays; HCR 12 (retirement commendation) recorded 35 yeas and 0 nays; HCR 14 (Black Maternal Health Week) recorded 36 ayes and 0 nays.

- Bills advanced to third reading: The Senate reported committee recommendations and ordered a large slate of bills engrossed and passed to third reading. Among those advanced were:
• SB 5 (Sen. Wheat) — amends Code of Civil Procedure jurisdictional limits for city courts.
• SB 9 (Sen. Bass) — amends Title 14 to prohibit unmanned aircraft use over federal and state military installations and facilities (with committee amendments adopted).
• SB 21 (Sen. Wheat) — amends Title 14 to add veterinarians and veterinary clinics to definitions of health care professionals/facilities for assault and battery provisions.
• SB 38 (Sen. Henskins) — creates the crime of theft of gift cards or gift card redemption information.
• SB 65 (Sen. Foyle) — modifies Title 47 tax credits to provide S corporations ability to claim certain local inventory tax credits, with committee amendments adopted.
• SB 72 (Sen. Reese) — amends Title 17 regarding bond issuance for capital improvements in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System.
• SB 75 (Sen. Miller) — addresses legislative continuances and extensions for legislators and employees.
• SB 78 and SB 98 (Sen. Myers) — statutory changes to the definitions/exemptions for drug paraphernalia and unlawful inhalation elements (with committee amendments adopted).
• SB 116 (Sen. Kleinpeter) — notary public authorization for St. Martin and St. Landry parishes.
• SB 118 (Sen. Foyle) — changes relating to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts and tax-table income.
• SB 144, SB 146, SB 147 (various sponsors) — measures involving port commissions and local development authorities and bond issuance authority.

The clerk and committee chairs presented numerous committee reports recommending favorable passage, and senators moved the committee amendments where required. Where committee amendments were offered on the floor, sponsors or committee chairs moved their adoption before the measures were ordered engrossed and passed to third reading.

Background and next steps

Committee chairs announced an exceptionally full committee day on Tuesday, April 22, with multiple committee meetings scheduled beginning at 8 a.m., including the state bond commission, budgetary controls, and standing committees on finance, revenue, judiciary and others. Several measures advanced today will appear on the third-reading calendar for final passage during upcoming floor days.

Votes at a glance (selected)

- SCR 7 — Adopted by recorded vote: 33–0.
- HCR 5 — Adopted by recorded vote: 34–0.
- HCR 6 — Adopted by recorded vote: 35–0.
- HCR 10 — Adopted by recorded vote: 35–0.
- HCR 12 — Adopted by recorded vote: 35–0.
- HCR 14 — Adopted by recorded vote: 36–0.

(Selected bills advanced to third reading are summarized above; where the clerk reported committee amendments, the Senate adopted those amendments on the floor before advancing the bill.)","At a routine floor session, the Louisiana State Senate unanimously adopted several ceremonial and commemorative resolutions and ordered a large slate of bills engrossed and advanced to third reading, including measures on civil procedure, unmanned aircraft, and school system boundaries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator highlights Tulane’s role in Charity Hospital redevelopment, BioDistrict growth

Senator urges state support for struggling strawberry farmers, cites workforce shortages and disease

Louisiana Senate adopts multiple resolutions and advances many bills to third reading