We adopted an operating budget of $46.5 billion, investing in infrastructure improvements, including roads and bridges, sewer and water systems, deferred maintenance at colleges and universities, coastal protection and restoration initiatives, as well as port projects. The 2022-2023 budget reduces state retirement debt and provides teachers with a temporary pay raise. Download PDF >>
American Press, May 18, 2023
The House passed a bill 79-17 Wednesday that would provide free menstrual products to students in public schools. House Bill 117 would require public schools to provide free tampons and pads in easily accessible locations. The funding for the products would come from the state’s general fund. Schools may provide the products in bathrooms, offices or other locations. The first year of funding also would include providing dispensers for products. Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans, brought the bill back after it stalled on the Senate floor last year. The bill passed both the House Education Committee and the House Appropriations Committee unopposed this year, and it now goes to the Senate. Read Article >>
We’ve wrapped up the 2022 Legislative Session with a balanced budget. And, the legislature was able to fund some much-needed improvements. The legislature also continued reforming the criminal justice system and juvenile justice system. This session also dealt with the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes. Download PDF >>
News Release, July 1, 2022
A new law to end the so-called “pink tax” authored by State Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman, D-New Orleans, became effective July 1, 2022. It provides for a state sales and use tax exemption for feminine hygiene products and diapers for personal use and extends the effectiveness of optional local tax exemptions. To mark the occasion, Rep. Freeman is hosting a feminine hygiene product and diaper (adult and infant) donation drive in partnership with the Junior League of New Orleans, where she is a sustaining member. Throughout the month of July, anyone interested in donating these products can deliver them to the Junior League of New Orleans (4319 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA 70115) from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Monday through Friday (except for July 4th). Read Article >>
The Legislative Session was productive: ending with a balanced budget and adequate funding. The legislature also had a historic veto override session, however no bills were vetoed. Download PDF >>
By Abigail Higgins, TheLily.com, July 16, 2021
Many American families struggle to get enough diapers for their babies — and that was before the pandemic took a sledgehammer to the finances of many Americans. That problem will ease somewhat for families in Louisiana, thanks to a bill that eliminates sales tax not just on diapers, but also on menstrual products. The bill was signed last month by Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, and it will go into effect July 2022. “It was quite a fight and not for the faint of heart,” said state Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman (D), who sponsored the legislation. Read Article >>
By Allison Gallaspy, Lagniappe Magazine, Summer 2021, Issuu page 36
Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) 2021 Legislative Session Overview on March 24th brought together three panelists who illuminated how alleviating diaper need and period poverty could improve the wellbeing of women and girls by discussing the currently observable ways that lack of access to diapers and period products are causing harm to low-income households. Representative Aimee Freeman, a JLNO Sustainer, has sponsored legislation that proposes to reduce the cost of diapers and period products for all Louisiana residents by exempting these items from state sales tax. “Louisiana already exempts groceries and prescriptions. Taxing period products places an extra burden on low income women,” says Representative Freeman. Read Article (page 36 in Issuu document) >>
By Mark Ballard, The Advocate, June 30, 2021
Gov. John Bel Edwards Wednesday announced that he signed the third bill in a package passed in reaction to the LSU sexual misconduct scandal. House Bill 409, sponsored by New Orleans Democratic Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman, mandates that whoever hears of the sexual harassment complaint at a public college or university must report it, imposes discipline on those who don’t follow the new rules, details who will staff the offices that handle complaints and specifies how much the universities must pay them. Read Article >>