Leaders from across Louisiana assembled to learn about their state's $1.6 billion budget deficit, the lack of access to fresh food experienced by over 1 million Louisianans, and how to organize effectively in their local communities for maximum state impact. Elected officials in attendance, including Agricultural Commissioner Mike Strain (R) and Democrats from North & Southern Louisiana agreed to work with Together Louisiana to address the budget and food access.

At a meeting convened by Together Baton Rouge and the Baton Rouge Food Access Commission, TBR leaders announced a new limited-stop route to run Saturdays from 'food deserts' to grocery stores as a temporary measure to ensure access to healthy food. Asked Tamika Porter, "If there's such a thing as Whole Food, then what am I giving my children? Half food?"

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) CEO committed to providing the new Saturday bus route by June 2015. He also promised to re-evaluate every route to ensure that buses are stopping at at grocery stores where possible.

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Over 150 leaders from Northern & Central Louisiana Interfaith assembled with three candidates for US Congressional District 5 including Republican incumbent Vance McAllister, Dr. Ralph Abraham and Mayor Jamie Mayo. Leaders succeeded in leveraging bipartisan agreement to work with the organization to:

- Expand Medicaid in Louisiana;

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Together Baton Rouge (TBR) leaders, in collaboration with the East Baton Rouge Food Policy Commission created last year by the Mayor with TBR, delivered five recommendations to a crowd of 80 residents working to end food deserts in East Baton Rouge. TBR leader Edgar Cage reported that, 17% of the parish population lives in areas with "unacceptably low access" to grocery stores -- while the national average hovers at 8%.

"There are many nurturing mothers who care what goes into our bodies and our children's bodies," said Tamika Mason Porter. "And we'll make sacrifices to do it." The real issue, she said, is getting access to those good food choices.

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Undeterred by the Louisiana legislature's reluctance to pass payday lending reform this year, Together Louisiana leaders turned their attention to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, taking over a hearing on mobile banking and pointing out the need for intervention on payday lending.

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'Together Louisiana' leaders publicly handed out Bibles to Louisiana state legislators, asking them to read it before voting on a payday lending reform bill which would cap the number of times an individual can turn over a loan. Said Rev. Lee T. Wesley of Baton Rouge, "We took notice that some legislators wanted to make the Bible the state book...if legislators want to give the Bible special standing, they should start off by reading it."

One of 45 lobbyists paid to kill Senate Bill 84 revealed he was feeling "like a bug smashed against a windshield" today.

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With the press calling it "the sleeper issue of the session," leaders from 'Together Louisiana,' stormed the Capitol to testify in Committee hearings and weigh in on legislative debate over how to address payday lending in Louisiana.

'Together Louisiana' leaders assert that payday lenders able to charge interest rates ten times higher than felony loan-sharking laws currently allow, making them "legal loan sharks." They want a cap on the annual interest rate for entering into short-term loans and are working with legislators to get one, in partnership with in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, AARP, the Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Louisiana Budget Project and the Southern Baptist Convention.

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One week after 400 people filled Elm Grove Baptist Church in a meeting about payday lending, 100 Together Louisiana leaders rallied on the front steps of the Capitol exhorting lawmakers to curb the most predatory practices in the payday lending industry. They were joined by lawmakers that pledged to fight for bills that would fulfill this goal.

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This legislative session, with the support of Together Louisiana, lawmakers will evaluate whether to pass a bill limiting how much payday lenders can make on the backs of their customers.

Ms. Thelma Fleming, a leader with Elm Grove Baptist Church, once spent $2,500 to get out of a $300 debt trap, eventually costing her her car, bank account and gifts from her children. Her institution is a member of Together Louisiana which is on the forefront of this legislative fight.

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Leaders from IAF organizations across Louisiana gathered at Shiloh Baptist Church Saturday, February 15 for a conference that aims to disrupt the status quo at the legislature this year by preparing hundreds of leaders on issues ranging from payday lending, mass incarceration, higher education and the environment.

Together Louisiana Prepares for State Legislative Session, WAFB TV

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