Governor Edwards says the state is considering implementing a vaccine incentive program similar to efforts in other states. The number of new vaccinations per week has fallen precipitously from a mid-March high. Edwards says they’re looking into ways to get skeptical Louisianans off the fence…

Cut 3, 10 seconds, vaccinated

While adults may end up getting incentivized to take a shot the state says it’s going to take a robust information campaign aimed at parents to get the vaccination rate for children to increase. Kids 12 and older are now eligible and Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Dr. Theron McCormick says you shouldn’t be too worried about potential side effects for those kids…

Cut 9 (10) “…the trials.” 

Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop’s tax reform bill finally clears the House. The legislation would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes on your state taxes. If approved by the Senate voters will have a chance to vote on it on the November 2022 ballot. This is what the language will say…

Cut 12 (12) “…individual income taxes.”

Tomorrow marks the start of Safe Boating Week and before you head out on the water the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wants you to check and make sure you have enough personal flotation devices for everyone you take aboard. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says even if you are a strong swimmer…

Cut 4 (10)“…afloat.”

Anyone 16 or younger must wear their flotation device at all times.

The Louisiana House passes a constitutional amendment that would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says Louisiana lawmakers have tried to do this for decades.

Cut 10 (08) “…tax reform.”

The tax swap would be revenue-neutral.

An effort to provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find a job and increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefits the state provides by 28-dollars to 275-dollars failed on the House floor. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews liked the idea of a hiring bonus…

Cut 14 (07) “…this helps.”
But 54 lawmakers voted against the bill. One reason is that if a person receives the hiring bonus, they can’t apply for unemployment for six months.

Boating season is getting started with Safe Boating Week beginning Saturday and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has some reminders for eager boaters. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says have enough flotation devices for all passengers and if you get caught drinking and driving your boat, you’ll face the same penalties that you’d face if you got caught driving drunk on the road.

Cut 5 (08)”… that boat.”

Louisiana saw 24 boating fatalities last year and nine so far this year.

The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and others are urging parents to have children ages 12 and up to be vaccinated for COVID. Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Dr. Theron McCormick says in the U-S of the 3.9-million children who’ve had COVID, 300 have died as a result.

Cut 8 (07) “…big deal.”

You can visit LDH’s website to find a vaccine site.

The Louisiana House has approved a major tax reform proposal. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop explains what the legislation would do…
cut 12 (12) “…individual income taxes”
That means individual income tax rates would be lowered, but Louisiana taxpayers would no longer be able to deduct federal tax payments on their state income tax returns. The legislation still needs Senate and voter approval.

Tomorrow begins Safe Boating week. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says anyone born after January 1st 1984 must complete a boating education course to operate a vessel with over 10 horsepower…
cut 6 (06) “…free of charge”
Since 2003, over 137-thousand boaters have been certified.

A bill to increase the weekly unemployment benefit amount beginning next year fails in the House after being attacked by lawmakers on both sides…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents who suffered damages to their home as a result of this week’s severe weather and extreme flooding to report that damage at damage-dot-la-dot-gov. The governor’s office says nearly 900 residents have already reported damage since Monday. The data collected could possibly lead to federal aid.

The Louisiana House has voted against a bill that would have increased maximum weekly unemployment benefits in Louisiana by 28-dollars starting on January 1st. Havey Representative Rodney Lyons on why he authored the bill…
cut 13 (06) “….benefits”
The bill would also provide a hiring bonus of up to one thousand dollars for an unemployed individual who is hired. But lawmakers had too many questions and concerns about the legislation and voted it down.

But the Louisiana House overwhelmingly supported a major tax reform plan that will need voter approval. The measure would get rid of a tax deduction for federal income taxes, but lower personal income taxes. It needed the support of House Democrats. Republican House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop…
cut 11 (07) “…passing this”
The tax swap plan still needs Senate approval.

State Health Officials and Pediatricians are encouraging parents to have their children ages 12 and up vaccinated against COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The National Hurricane Center is giving a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico a 40-percent chance of developing into a named storm. The system could produce heavy rainfall over southwest Louisiana during the next few days as it approaches the Texas coastline. The state health department says severe weather earlier this week led to five deaths.

The state health department says nearly one point-four million people in Louisiana are vaccinated against COVID and one point-five million have initiated the vaccine series. Governor John Bel Edwards says over five thousand children from 12 to 15-years-old have received one shot of the Pfizer vaccine…
cut 7 (07) “….their age”
Edwards says he’s considering possible incentives to get more Louisianans vaccinated.

The Louisiana House passes a constitutional amendment that would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says Louisiana lawmakers have tried to do this for decades.
Cut 10 (08) “…tax reform.”
The tax swap would be revenue neutral

An effort to provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find a job and also increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefits the state provides by 28-dollars to 275-dollars failed on the House floor. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews liked the idea of a hiring bonus…
cut 14 (07) “…this helps”
But 54 lawmakers voted against the bill. One reason is that if a person receives the hiring bonus, they can’t apply for unemployment for six months.

Safe Boating Week begins tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says you must have enough personal flotation devices for everyone aboard, even if you are a strong swimmer…
Cut 4 (10)“…afloat.”
Anyone 16 or younger must wear their flotation device at all times in vessels shorter than 26 feet.

The Louisiana House has rejected a bill that would have raised the state’s maximum weekly unemployment benefits by 28-dollars and also provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find employment. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson was one of 54 lawmakers who voted against it…..
cut 15 (12) “…use that as an incentive”

Leading pediatricians across the state are urging parents and caregivers to protect their children against COVID-19 with the Pfizer vaccine. Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Doctor Theron McCormick says trials indicate the Pfizer vaccine is 100-percent effective for ages 12 to 15 and the side effects are minimal…
cut 9 (09) “…the trials”

The Louisiana House has passed a constitutional amendment that would give voters a chance to approve a tax swap plan involving individual income taxes. Matt Doyle reports for Republicans it is the signature bill of the session…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

State Health Officials and Pediatricians are encouraging parents to have their children ages 12 and up vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

_______________________________

The House passes a tax reform constitutional amendment that many Republicans feel is the signature bill of the session. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A bill to increase the weekly unemployment benefit amount beginning next year fails in the house after being attacked by lawmakers on both sides. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________

Boating season is getting started with Safe Boating Week beginning Saturday and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has some reminders for eager boaters.

LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says you must have enough personal flotation devices for everyone aboard. Even if you think you are a strong swimmer…

Cut 4 (10)“…afloat.”

Anyone 16 or younger must wear their flotation device at all times in vessels shorter than 26 feet.

Einck says another thing to note is that if you get caught drinking and driving your boat you will face the same penalties that you’d face if you got caught driving drunk on the road.

Cut 5 (08)”… that boat.”

Louisiana saw 24 boating fatalities last year and nine so far this year.

A lot of folks got cabin fever last year and bought their first boat but Einck says if you’re a millennial you need to complete a NASBLA boating education course before piloting.

Cut 6 (10) “..1984.”

This only applies to motorboats with 10 or more horsepower.

____________________

The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and others are urging parents to have children ages 12 and up to be vaccinated for COVID. Since the CDC’s approval to have 12- to 15-year-old vaccinated last week, Governor Edwards says more than five thousand in that age range have received one shot of the Pfizer vaccine in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (07)  “…their age.”

Edwards says he’s considering possible incentives to get more Louisianans vaccinated. To date, only 30% of the state’s eligible population is fully vaccinated.

While children are less likely to contract COVID compared to adults they are still suspectable for the virus, Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Dr. Theron McCormick says in the U-S of the 3.9-million children who’ve had COVID, 300 have died as a result.

Cut 8 (07) “…big deal.”

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter and McCormick encouraged parents to speak with their pediatrician if they have any questions about the vaccine for their child. McCormick says children might experience side effects from the vaccine, like the ones they have when being immunized, low-grade fever, and tiredness.

Cut 9 (10) “…the trials.” 

McCormick says trials indicate the Pfizer vaccine is 100-percent effective for ages 12 to 15.  You can call the Vaccine Hotline at 1-855-453-0774 to make an appointment and/or to answer questions about the vaccine.

___________________________________

The House passes a constitutional amendment that would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes.

Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop thanked House members for passing his bill, saying Louisiana lawmakers have tried to do this for decades.

Cut 10 (08) “…tax reform.”

The bill needed 70 votes to pass and ultimately won 98 just a day after it fell four votes shy amidst a Democratic blockade.

At one point the bill was at risk of sinking due to an unrelated controversy involving former Chairman of House Education Ray Garofalo…

Cut 11 (07) “….passing this.”

After Garofalo made a controversial comment about slavery in committee the Legislative Black Caucus threatened to withhold support for the tax reform effort unless he was removed as chairman. Garofalo was removed or stepped down, depending on who you ask earlier this week.

If approved by the Senate Louisianans will have a chance to vote on it on the November 2022 ballot. This is what the language will say…

Cut 12 (12) “…individual income taxes.”

The amendment would lower the state personal income tax rate on your first 12,500 dollars by point one five percent, half a percent on the next 37,500 dollars, and one and three-quarters percent for income over 50,000 dollars. Proponents say the tax swap is close to revenue-neutral and if approved by voters would kick in in 2023.

__________________________________

A bill to increase the unemployment weekly benefit by $28 beginning in 2022 fails in the House. The bill came under bipartisan assault especially after a hiring bonus was added. Bill author Harvey Democrat Representative Rodney Lyons says the original intent was to increase the weekly amount, an initiative that began before the pandemic.

Cut 13 (07) “…benefits.”

Louisiana has the 49^th lowest unemployment weekly benefit in the nation.

A hiring bonus of up to $1,000 was added to the bill to entice those on unemployment to return to work, Bossier City Republican Representative Raymond Crews was one of the lawmakers that submitted the bonus amendment.

Cut 14 (07) “…this helps.”

But Lyons says accepting the bonus came with a caveat of forfeiting unemployment for six months even if you lose your job again.

Albany Republican Representative Sherman Mack questioned Lyons on why the state doesn’t go after those who received $400-million in benefits they weren’t entitled to in order to finance the weekly increase and hiring bonus.

Cut 15 (12)“…correct you don’t.”

The bill failed on 44-54 vote.

________________________________________

The NCAA Baton Rouge Softball Regional gets underway today at Tiger Park as top-seeded LSU will host fourth-seeded McNeese at 3 o’clock, while second-seeded U-L Lafayette will take on third-seeded George Washington at 5:30 PM. Tigers Coach Beth Torina is excited to see the best that the Bayou State has to offer

Cut 16 (13) “…state of Louisiana (x2).”

LSU is 32-and-19 on the season and received a seven national seed. Torina says she’s counting on their defense to keep them in games

Cut 17 (17) “..some runs.”

The Cajuns bring a 44-and-10 record to the Baton Rouge Regional. Coach Gerry Glasco’s team has won nine of its last ten…

Cut  18 (16)”…absolutely amazing.”

On a 98 to 2 vote the House passes a bill that would put a tax reform constitutional amendment on the November 2022 ballot. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop’s proposal would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Bishop says this effort is decades in the making…

Cut 10 (07) “…an answer”

Bishop says this bill will streamline our tax code.

Cut 11 (07) “….those people”

The bill, considered to be the priority piece of legislation for Republicans this session, was almost tanked due to the controversy over comments about slavery made by former House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo. Those comments led the Legislative Black Caucus to threaten to block the bill, saying they’d withhold support if Garofalo was not removed as chairman. Ultimately Garofalo was removed.

Legislation banning the handheld use of a cellphone while driving passes the House 76-21. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says you can still make phone calls and send texts while driving, you’d just need to use a Bluetooth device to do it…

Cut 3 (11)  “…make a call” 

The bill heads to the Senate.

Legislation that would have increased state unemployment insurance payments starting next year is defeated in the House after it came under assault from lawmakers on the left and right. Conservatives were concerned it would incentivize people to stay home and collect instead of working. Democrats took issue with an addition to the bill that would have created a thousand dollar “return to work” bonus for those currently collecting unemployment insurance in Louisiana. The catch was that those who accept the bonus would be ineligible to collect unemployment for 24 weeks.

NOAA is predicting yet another above-average Atlantic Hurricane season with 13 to 20 named storms and six to ten hurricanes projected by the Climate Prediction Center. NOAA’s lead season hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans is concerned about the possibility of a La Nina forming later in the hurricane season…

Cut 11 (11) “…predicted ranges”

A record 30 named storms formed in 2020.

Housing prices have been brutal for prospective first-time buyers this year and a part of that has to to do with the near quadrupling of lumber prices between now and last year. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says as of May 18^th lumber was up to 1,264 dollars per thousand feet…

Cut 7 (07) “…buying”

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a phone when driving finally makes passage out of the house. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Governor Edwards asks residents who sustained damage from the last few days of severe weather to being documenting that damage and report it to damage-dot-la-dot-gov by May 25^th. Edwards says if we can document enough damage we could receive federal assistance.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. They say between 13 to 20 named storms are expected to form and between six and ten will become hurricanes. NOAA’s lead season hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says several factors have been combined for them to predict another active hurricane season…

Cut 10 (10) “…West African monsoon” 

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re driving makes passage out of the house. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill would impose a $25 fine for the first offense and $50 for a second violation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…make a call” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says new home construction is up about 30 percent from last year and there are more remodeling projects in the works as well.

Cut 6 (12) “…space”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not looking to continue his political career after his term ends in 2024. Edwards says there have been no conversations about him leaving Louisiana to join President Biden’s cabinet, but…

Cut 14 (10) “…consider” 

Edwards says he’s also not considering a run for the US Senate race next year.