Wallis Watkins

Producer & Contributing Reporter

Wallis Watkins is a Baton Rouge native. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Louisiana State University in 2013. Soon after, she joined WRKF as an intern and is now reporting on politics for Capitol Access and science and health for Louisiana's Lab.

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New Budget Proposal Moves On To House Floor

By • Feb 16, 2017
Louisiana House Broadcast Archives

The House Appropriations Committee took up its part of the budget fix Wednesday afternoon, making changes to the Governor’s plan to resolve the $304 million deficit for this fiscal year. 


Rainy Day Resolution Advances, But Amount Still Up In The Air

By • Feb 15, 2017
Sue Lincoln

The Senate Finance Committee met Tuesday afternoon, getting right to work on advancing authorization to use one-third of the Budget Stabilization Fund, also referred to as the Rainy Day Fund. 


Six Months Post-Flood, Survivors Are Confused And Waiting For Answers

By • Feb 13, 2017

It’s been nearly six months since the historic flooding in southeast Louisiana. Since then, Congress has authorized $1.6 billion for the state to help people repair homes and businesses. But that’s well short of the estimated $8 billion in damage done. Wallis Watkins spoke with some flood survivors trying to navigate the recovery process.

Gov. Edwards To Washington: We Need $2 Billion More For Flood Relief

By • Feb 8, 2017

Governor John Bel Edwards is traveling to Washington, D.C. - his sixth trip since the August flooding in Louisiana. He’ll be meeting with lawmakers to request an additional $2 billion in flood relief.

So far, Congress has approved two installments of funding for the state at a total of $1.6 billion. But Governor Edwards says that is still short of what’s needed.

Last week, the Governor sent letters to both the Louisiana Congressional Delegation and President Trump describing the unmet needs of homeowners, renters and businesses.

Legislators Differ About Use Of Rainy Day Fund

By • Feb 8, 2017
Wallis Watkins

Governor John Bel Edwards has released his plan for cutting $304 million from this fiscal year’s budget.

The Governor has called for $119 million of that deficit to be filled with money from the Rainy Day Fund. Addressing the Louisiana Municipal Association Tuesday, he explained that money is there to help stabilize the budget. 


CPRA Discusses Possibility of Budget Cuts

By • Feb 2, 2017
CPRA

The Governor’s Advisory Commission On Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation met at the Capitol Wednesday to discuss The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's 2017 Master Plan. 


Senators Cassidy and Kennedy Turn Attention to Healthcare

By • Jan 25, 2017

Louisiana’s senior Senator, Republican Bill Cassidy, presented a possible replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act Monday. 


$1.6 Billion Flood Recovery Plan Approved By Task Force

By • Jan 20, 2017

The federal government has already allocated $1.6 billion to Louisiana to aid in recovery from the August flood. Today, the Restore Louisiana Task Force approved the Governor’s plan on how to spend it. 

A large majority of the federal recovery money -- $1.3 billion -- will be spent on home repairs.

The focus is on over 36-thousand homes that took on major damage and were not covered by flood insurance.

Livingston Parish Schools Still Recovering Post-Flood

By • Jan 13, 2017
Wallis Watkins / WWNO

Over a third of the public schools in Livingston Parish were damaged by the flooding in Southeast Louisiana last August. While some of those schools have been repaired, others still haven't been able to reopen - like Southside Junior High School, where classes began this new year at a new site - for now. 


Type 2 Charter School Funding Ruled Unconstitutional

By • Jan 12, 2017
Louisiana Department of Education

The annual application period for the state’s school voucher program is now open, despite uncertainty over availability of state funding.

Due to a 2013 Louisiana Supreme Court ruling, vouchers are not funded through the Minimum Foundation Program, or MFP. That’s the money public schools receive from both state and local tax dollars.

On Monday, Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal decided Type 2 charter schools don’t qualify for MFP funding either. 


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