Bills head for Barbour’s desk

The Clarion-Ledger, 4/16/8

State lawmakers on Tuesday sent bills to the governor intended to crack down on metal theft and boot superintendents in underperforming school districts.

Measures that took smaller steps forward would hike unemployment benefits and allow utility companies to seek rate increases before certain plants are built.

With four days left in the session, also unresolved is legislation that would fund Medicaid, reform ethics laws, allow more regional prisons, limit gaming and offer incentives to casinos that build nongaming tourist attractions.

And the political battles between lawmakers don’t appear to be over. House Republicans continued preparations Tuesday to use an anti-abortion bill to challenge the power of Speaker Billy McCoy, a Democrat.