Louisiana Lawmakers Finishing Regular Session Without Budget, Ready for Another

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers are wrapping up a shortened regular session interrupted by the pandemic. They were poised Monday to give business groups changes sought to limit damages in car accident lawsuits. But they are punting completion of next year’s budget to another special session. The House and Senate must adjourn Monday evening. Lawmakers planned to open a 30-day special session immediately after that to finish the spending plans and consider tax breaks for businesses struggling amid the virus outbreak.

Legislators in the regular session agreed to expand Louisiana's medical marijuana program, to let voters decide whether to legalize sports betting and to shield businesses from most lawsuits related to coronavirus injuries. Final votes sent to Gov. John Bel Edwards measures to loosen Louisiana’s restrictions on guns in church.

(Story written by Melinda Deslatte/AP)