The House approves legislation increasing the cost of hunting and fishing licenses. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is going broke and the average sportsmen’s license will not go up by more than 10-dollars. On the commercial side…

Cut 5  (09)  “…state resource”

If the Senate approves Bacala’s bill, half of the rate increases would start on June 1, 2022.

Black lawmakers in a House committee raised objections to legislation that would do away with the need to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun for those over 21 who aren’t felons. Representative Frederick Jones says passing this bill would put law enforcement on edge and result in more police shootings of Black people.

Cut 9 (09) “…a gun”

The final vote was 6-4 in favor. The bill heads to the House floor for final passage.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is pushing for Governor Edwards to stop federally enhanced unemployment benefits to force residents on unemployment back to work as the economy reopens. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the state economy is very dependent on these service industry personnel. He says business owners are hurting…

21

But While neighboring states like Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi are opting out of federally enhanced unemployment, Governor Edwards says he does not want to react too quickly, and he’s concerned about the slow rebound of the tourism industry.

22

The current enhanced $300 unemployment benefits are scheduled to end on September 6^th.

Legislation allowing anyone 21 and older without a felony record to concealed carry a handgun without a permit is headed to the House for final passage. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Video footage of the 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene shows state police dragging the black man face down while his hands are cuffed, and legs shackled. Initially, state police told his family Greene died in a crash however a medical examiner later questioned why two stun-gun prongs were found in his back. The case is under a federal civil rights investigation.

The Louisiana House approves legislation to increase certain hunting and fishing license fees to assist the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says if they do not raise fees, then LDWF would have to take money from the general fund.

Cut 4 (04) “..be given” 

The vote was 79-20 in favor, the measure still needs Senate approval.

A bill mandating trauma training for all public-school employees passed unanimously in House Education. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson’s bill requires the one-hour class, to recognize students experiencing trauma, will be taught during in-service days for instructors so it will not be an unfunded mandate. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiberg questioned if one hour is long enough. Jackson says she hopes class will be extended in the future when they have dedicated funding. Freiberg praised Jackson’s efforts.

Cut 11 (03) “…good”

It now heads to the House for final passage.

In video footage of the 2019 arrest of Ronald Greene, he’s heard saying I’m scared while officers repeatedly use a stun gun on the unarmed black man as he’s wrestled to the ground. Greene is also dragged face down while handcuffed and legs are shackled. State Police originally told the family Greene died in a crash, but a medical examiner questioned that after finding stun-gun prongs in Greene’s back.

The Louisiana House has voted for a bill that would increase hunting and fishing licenses starting next year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A House committee advances Senate-approved legislation that would do away with the need to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill is opposed by the Louisiana Chiefs of Police Association, but West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says not all law enforcement are against his bill, including his chief of police…

Cut 6 (08) “…criminals”

Seacor Power salvage crews have managed to remove all of the vessel’s diesel fuel stores, averting potential environmental contamination. Coast Guard Petty Officer Cory Mendenhall says they’re now moving from the environmental response to a salvage phase that will involve raising the vessel and getting it back to port.

Cut 14 (11) “…crews” 

Seven crew members remain missing from the April 13^th capsizing.

For the second time in this legislative session, the House Criminal Justice Committee approves a bill allowing a person 21 and older, who is not a convicted felon, to carry a concealed weapon without a permit or undergo the training it takes to get a permit. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says his Constitutional Carry legislation is about protecting a person’s second amendment rights and liberties…
cut 8 (09) “…permission”
But Monroe Representative Frederick Jones says this bill would put law enforcement on edge and it could result in more police shootings of Black people…
cut 9 (09) “..a gun”
Despite Jones’ objections, the Constitutional Carry bill that’s already passed the Senate advanced to the House floor on a six to four vote.

A Senate bill mandating trauma training for all public school teachers, counselors, and administrators is close to final legislative passage after receiving unanimous approval from House Education. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman, says this legislation is necessary…
cut 12 (10) “…abusive household”
The training would take place during an in-service day for instructors.

The U-S Coast Guard says salvage crews are done siphoning 20-thousand gallons of fuel from the capsized Seacor Power lift boat. The next step is to get the vessel out of the Gulf of Mexico. Seven crew members remain missing and Coast Guard Petty Officer Cory Mendenhall says the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating those crewmembers’ whereabouts…
cut 15 (06) “…continue”
Nineteen crew members were on board at the time the Seacor Power encountered rough weather and capsized April 13th. Six crewmen were rescued.

Legislation allowing anyone 21 and older without a felony record to concealed carry a handgun without a permit is headed to the House for final passage. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The Associated Press has obtained footage of the arrest of Ronald Greene, who was apprehended just outside of Monroe in 2019. The arrest is under a federal civil rights investigation. Earlier requests for the body camera footage into the death of the 49-year old black man had been denied. Initially, State Police told the family Greene died on impact following a chase but later recanted and said he died on the way to the hospital after a struggle with troopers.

Seacor Power salvage crews have managed to remove all of the vessel’s diesel fuel stores, averting potential environmental contamination. Coast Guard Petty Officer Cory Mendenhall says crews managed to remove over 20,300 gallons of diesel from the fuel storage tanks, but about 4,500 gallons of hydraulic fluid remain…

Cut 13 (09)“…vessel”

The Louisiana House approves legislation to increase certain hunting and fishing license fees, raising millions of dollars for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the average sportsmen’s license will not go up by more than 10-dollars and some activities will be combined. He says the commercial fishermen’s rates have been in place since 1986.

Cut 5  (09)  “…state resource”

A House committee advances Senate-approved legislation to do away with the need to get a permit to conceal carry. The bill is opposed by the Louisiana Chiefs of Police Association. Representative Frederick Jones echoed other Black lawmakers in saying this bill would put law enforcement on edge and result in more police shootings of Black people.

Cut 9 (09) “…a gun”

The final vote was 6-4 in favor. It heads to the House floor for final passage. Governor Edwards has vowed to veto the measure.

A bill mandating trauma training for all public-school teachers, counselors, and administrators passed unanimously through House Education. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson’s bill requires instruction on how to recognize childhood trauma and address their needs.

Cut 10 (10) “…at home” 

The bill now heads to the house for final debate.

The Louisiana House has voted for a bill that would increase hunting and fishing licenses starting next year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A House committee advances Senate-approved legislation that would do away with the need to get a permit to carry a concealed handgun. The bill is opposed by the Louisiana Chiefs of Police Association, but West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says not all law enforcement are against his bill, including his chief of police…

Cut 6, 8 seconds, criminals

The bill also includes language requiring the state to offer a free-of-charge 60-minute online training course teaching concealed carry basics including use of deadly force, interaction with law enforcement, and firearm-free zones. This training would be optional.

Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says this will only result in more untrained gun owners carrying in public…

Cut 7, 9 seconds, this bill

The final vote was 6-4 in favor.

This session’s marijuana legalization effort is dead after the House rejects legislation establishing taxes on the sale of recreational pot. Despite public polling showing over two-thirds of Louisianans backed legalization the bill just could not overcome opposition by the Sheriffs’ Association. Thibodaux Representative Brian Fontenot says before legalization is considered it should be studied…

Cut 14 (09) “…the answer (x2).”

The House did vote last week to decriminalize possession of a small quantity of weed.

The Revenue Estimating Conference estimates the state will bring in an additional 677 million dollars in revenue over current projections by the end of the next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says lawmakers are likely to suggest those funds be used for everything from teacher pay raises to infrastructure

Cut 9 (04) “…has.”… AM

The surprise march of marijuana legalization through the Legislature is over for the session after the House rejects a bill that would set the tax rate for recreational pot sales. Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says his legalization effort would generate a lot of revenue for the state that will now remain in the hands of drug dealers.

Cut 13 (11) “…after that.”

The final vote was 47-48 against. The tax legislation requires a two-thirds majority, for approval.

Senator Bill Cassidy advised fellow lawmakers in DC about the flooding and loss of lives in Louisiana this week when as much as 15 inches of rain deluged parts of the state. Cassidy told reporters he’s working on assistance for southwest Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…rebuilding process.”

The Louisiana House approves legislation to increase certain hunting and fishing license fees, raising millions of dollars for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says a fee hike is necessary because LDWF can no longer rely on money from the Conversation Fund.

Cut 3 (10)  “…practically depleted” 

The measure still needs Senate approval.

Federal assistance and a rosier economic outlook lead the Revenue Estimating Conference to upgrade the state’s revenue projections by 677 million dollars through the end of the next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says he recommends using these funds only for one-time expenses, although some would like to see the money put towards increasing teacher pay.

Cut 7 (09)  “…this year.”

An effort to legalize the recreational use of marijuana is dead for this session after the bill that would have taxed the sale of marijuana fails to get the 70 votes needed to pass in the Louisiana House. Thibodaux Representative and former police officer Brian Fontenot led the charge against the bill. Fontenot says we do not know enough about the impacts of legalizing recreational use of pot in Louisiana…
cut 14 (09) “….the answer” (2x)
The bill’s author, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, countered…
cut 15 (11) “…use it”
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association is staunch opponents of legalizing marijuana saying it would lead to more traffic accidents and crime.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo tells the Louisiana Radio Network why he’s no longer the chairman of the House Education Committee. Garofalo on his conversation with House Speaker Clay Schexnayder…
cut 11 (09) “….as chairman”
The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus demanded Garofalo’s removal as chair after he said students should hear the good, the bad, and ugly of slavery. Black lawmakers say there is no good when it comes to slavery, Garofalo says his comments were taken out of context.

Senator Bill Cassidy spoke on the U-S Senate floor about Lake Charles recovering from another natural disaster…
cut 5 (10) “…natural disaster”
The city is still pushing Congress to pass a disaster relief bill to assist victims of last year’s hurricanes.

An effort to legalize the recreational use of marijuana is dead for this session after the bill that would have taxed the sale of marijuana fails to get the 70 votes needed to pass in the Louisiana House. Thibodaux Representative and former police officer Brian Fontenot led the charge against the bill. Fontenot says we do not know enough about the impacts of legalizing recreational use of pot in Louisiana…
cut 14 (09) “….the answer” (2x)
The bill’s author, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, countered…
cut 15 (11) “…use it”
The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association is staunch opponents of legalizing marijuana saying it would lead to more traffic accidents and crime.

Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo tells the Louisiana Radio Network why he’s no longer the chairman of the House Education Committee. Garofalo on his conversation with House Speaker Clay Schexnayder…
cut 11 (09) “….as chairman”
The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus demanded Garofalo’s removal as chair after he said students should hear the good, the bad, and ugly of slavery. Black lawmakers say there is no good when it comes to slavery, Garofalo says his comments were taken out of context.

Senator Bill Cassidy spoke on the U-S Senate floor about Lake Charles recovering from another natural disaster…
cut 5 (10) “…natural disaster”
The city is still pushing Congress to pass a disaster relief bill to assist victims of last year’s hurricanes.