Northern and Central Louisiana Interfaith leaders hosted a summit in which university presidents responded to questions about the impact of state budget cuts to economic growth in Louisiana and about investments universities need to provide quality affordable education. Leaders highlighted the importance of affordable high education as a gateway to the middle-class for lower income residents. They additionally drew attention to studies documenting that for every $1 invested in higher ed, the state enjoys $8 in additional economic activity.

The summit was held in collaboration with the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Grambling State University, Louisiana Delta Community College and Louisiana Tech University. In photo, Grambling President Frank Pogue and ULM President Nick Bruno lead a discussion.

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With Louisiana residents paying more than $196 million in fees and interest to payday lenders in 2011, and such loans factoring into 20% of bankruptcy filings in Baton Rouge, leaders of Together Baton Rouge are beginning to educate and organize parishioners and residents about the dangers of payday lending and action they can take to protect themselves. Their most recent gathering, at Elm Grove Baptist Church, was standing-room only, as participants heard a presentation on the issue and shared their experiences with each other.

Residents: Time to Act on Loans, The Advocate

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"With a call for a "pragmatic" approach to the expansion of Medicaid healthcare for the poor, the leaders of the Together Louisiana alliance of congregations has challenged Governor Bobby Jindal and lawmakers to work with the federal government on expanding health coverage for the poor. "We don't need an ideological discussion about Obamacare," the Rev. Melvin Rushing of Baton Rouge told a State Capitol rally. "We need our state's technocrats to sit down with the national Medicaid technocrats and work through this issue as the practical, pragmatic matter it is."

Our Views: Poor need coverage, The Advocate (4/29)

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"A new analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office said accepting the Medicaid expansion envisioned by the federal health care law -- but so far refused by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration -- would save Louisiana between $532 million and $544 million over the next five years.....

The theme of Tuesday's rally -- led by Together Louisiana, a recently formed coalition of religious and civic groups, and the American Association for Retired People -- was that if Jindal doesn't like the Medicaid program, he should insist on certain conditions while accepting the expansion...."

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Statewide coalition of organizations is called "largest citizens' coalition in the history of the State." Includes projects in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Providence, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport and Tallulah, LA.

Together Louisiana Kicks Off, The Advocate

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