Governor Edwards says the state will move into phase one of reopening of the economy on Friday, which means many businesses can re-open their doors at 25-percent capacity…
cut 8(12) “…this week”
The proclamation will be issued Thursday and the order is effective Friday. Businesses looking for more info can go to open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov.

Barbers, nonessential businesses, churches, gyms, anchor stores in malls, and nail salons can re-open on Friday. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is glad to see Louisiana begin the process of getting back to work…
cut 15 (06) “…confidence back up”

Attorney General Jeff Landry wants to see a probe of the Chinese government’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry says it is time the House of Representatives put the same energy used in investigating the President, into focusing on something that is actually impacting the country.
Cut 10 (09) “…is still questionable.”
Landry is among 18 state AGs to co-sign a letter sent to Congressional leaders.

Many grocery stores are still struggling to keep up with consumer demand of certain foods. LSU Ag Center Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Louis Wicker says before the pandemic an average of 13-percent of our food dollar was spent at the grocery store and that’s all changed now. Wicker says you’ll notice that packaging might look different for certain foods…
cut 5 (10) “…use now”

Governor Edwards says starting Friday the state will move into phase one of the federal economic reopening plan. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says operating at 25% of capacity is still a huge hurdle and doesn’t believe employees should count against that number…
cut 13 (06) “…open to customers”

A staple for the dinner table is becoming hard to find as meat shortages are popping up at grocery stores and some fast-food restaurants. LSU Ag Center Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Doctor Louise Wicker says the meat shortage is the result of outbreaks of COVID-19 at meat processing plants, but she says there is meat available in frozen storage…
cut 6 (09) “…..the hoarding”
Restaurant executives and meat wholesalers say meat shortages and price increases could continue throughout the summer.

The University of Louisiana System says their nine campuses are planning for a return to face-to-face instruction this fall.

Governor Edwards announces the stay at home order will end Friday and the state will move into Phase One allowing for 25 percent capacity at businesses like restaurants, churches, and more.  Edwards says hair salons, nail salons, gyms, casinos, and movie theaters can also re-open…

Cut 14 (10) “…move forward”

The Revenue Estimating conference informed lawmakers Monday to expect a billion-dollar revenue shortfall for the next fiscal year’s budget. Tax collections have taken a significant hit as many businesses have been shuttered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says our condition may not improve soon either.

Cut 11 (15) “…one here.”

The state budget may be facing a historic cliff but some lawmakers believe Louisiana must implement hundreds of millions of dollars in severance tax suspensions to save the oil industry or things could get much worse. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says giving the industry a year of severance suspensions could save it in the long term, even as the budget faces calamity.

Cut 8 (07) “…to work”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says we can’t afford that kind of break, and asked if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…

Cut 9 (09) “…would not”

The industry has been hammered by a combination of the ongoing price war and COVID economic shutdowns.

The House Transportation committee approves a ban on hold handheld devices while driving, similar to a Senate effort that has moved to the Upper Chamber floor.

Governor Edwards made the major announcement that the state can begin reopening on Friday and that Louisiana meets the criteria laid out by the White House for phase one reopening. He also expects many of the businesses allowed to reopen will put protective measures in place for the safety of their customers and employees…

Cut 15 (07)“statewide.”

Edwards says businesses and churches can go to open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov to find out how the new order will impact them.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1^st. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says not only are tax collections down, but 310-thousand people have filed for unemployment and a recent study found that one out of every four people are out of work in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (11) “…has claimed.”

A resolution is headed to the full House that would suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes on the oil industry for one year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The University of Louisiana system announces plans for the nine-member institutions to resume in-person instruction this fall. UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson says “The University Experience is more than just attending class and we are optimistic with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts they we will be able to safely return to campus in August.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is lifting the stay at home order and that means Phase one of reopening of the economy will begin on Friday and last for at least 21 days. Edwards says that means restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes can re-open to the public for indoor table service at 25-percent of their capacity

Cut 13 (08) “…between tables”  

The Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, by at least a billion dollars in state spending next fiscal year. Tax collections have taken a significant hit. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says there are no signs for economic recovery anytime soon in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (12) “…one here.”

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. State Treasurer John Schroder says this paints a dismal picture of the economic situation, adding that next month will be worse.

Cut 3 (09)  “…in pretty bad.”  

Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order went into effect March 23, which closed many businesses. That’s led to a decline in income and sales tax collections. Schroder expects tax collection numbers to remain low for several months…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…any of that.”

Governor Edward did announce that he’s lifting the stay at home order this Friday which will allow some businesses to reopen but they will be limited.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, which will mean at least a billion-dollar reduction in state spending next fiscal year. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says what is happening to the state’s budget outlook is unprecedented

Cut 10 (06) “…will last”

Albrecht says he doesn’t see us recovering from this economic downturn anytime soon.

Those numbers are backed up by a report from the State Department of Revenue that indicates tax and fee collections for April were down 494 million dollars compared to last year. This has many legislators scrambling to figure out how to close the dire revenue drop off. Treasurer John Schroder believes raising taxes would make things harder on businesses…

Cut 5 (11)  “…attention to that.”

This hour Governor Edwards will announced whether the stay at home order will be extended.

Louisiana continues to report slowly declining numbers of new COVID deaths and cases compared to this time a month ago. Total cases are up 215 to 31,815 and fatalities up 29 to 2,242.

Lawmakers are fighting over how to address both the expected budget shortfall, and the rapid collapse of the Louisiana oil and gas industry. One legislator, Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop, has a resolution on it’s way to the full House that would suspend oil and gas severance taxes for a year, a plan that could cost several hundred million dollars. Bishop says we don’t have much of a choice.

Cut 6 (11) “…come back.”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says his constituents do not believe the state can afford such a hefty tax cut right now…

Cut 7 (08) “.devastating”

The state Department of Revenue reports tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor Edwards announces plans to hire up to 700 Louisianans to expand the state’s contact tracing program. Edwards says for those interested in the job…

Cut 13 (11) “…privacy” 

You can email ContactTracing@LA.gov.

State numbers released for COVID-19 show an increase in case numbers by 215 to 31,815 and fatalities up 29 to 2,242.

The state budget is facing a potentially massive revenue hit due to the COVID shutdown, and some lawmakers in the house are calling to suspend severance taxes for the oil and gas industry for one year. Ways and Means Chairman and resolution sponsor Stewart Bishop says we can’t afford to let the industry disappear.

Cut 8 (07) “…to work”

A recent survey of Louisiana oil and gas companies indicates massive layoffs and production shut-ins are also imminent due to the oil price war.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes opposed the resolution and asking if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…

Cut 9 (09) “…would not”

The vote was 11 to five in favor and now moves to the House floor.

The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting now to attempt to project how much the state will have available to spend next fiscal year. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the state is bracing for a 500-million to one-point-five billion dollar revenue shortfall…
cut 11 (12) “….the parish level”

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order went into effect March 23, which closed many businesses. That’s led to a decline in income and sales tax collections. State Treasurer John Schroder expects tax collection numbers to remain low for several months…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…any of that.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a resolution that would suspend severance taxes for the oil and gas industry for one year. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says this substantial tax cut would save one of the state’s biggest industries…

Cut 6 (11) “…come back.”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughs has received hundreds of emails in opposition from his constituents…

Cut 7 (08) “.devastating”

In a normal year, the suspension would cost the state 514 million dollars, but with the current oil price collapse, that number would likely be lower this year.

Governor Edwards holds a press conference at 2:30 today to announce whether or not Louisiana’s stay-at-home order will extend beyond this Friday. Republicans have been pressuring the governor to lift restrictions. On Sunday, the state reported 31,600 positive cases and 22-hundred have died.

LSU Health Shreveport is one of five sites chosen to conduct a clinical trial that will determine if nitric oxide can treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In an effort to help re-open the economy, the state is ready to ramp up contact tracing. Department of Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux…
cut 14 (10) “….at home”
Billioux says contact tracers will call people that may have been in close contact with a person who just tested positive of COVID-19 and the tracers may ask that person to self-quarantine for 14 days.

State lawmakers will get a better idea of how the economic shutdown has impacted the state budget when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets at noon. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says federal dollars can possibly fill some of the budget holes, but the money comes with strings attached…
cut 12 (12) “…question marks”
Pinsonat says early estimates indicate the revenue shortfall could be as much as one-point-five billion dollars.

Louisiana’s current stay at home order is set to expire on Friday and Governor Edwards has said he’s hopeful that at 2:30 he’ll announce the state is able to open additional businesses on Saturday like barbershops and salons. Also, restaurants could allow dine-in services with a capacity of 25-percent. Republicans like Congressman Garret Graves are pushing for businesses to re-open…
cut 8 (08) “….adverse implications”

Governor Edwards has announced plans to hire up to 700 Louisianans to expand the state’s contact tracing program. The tracers will call people who tested positive for COVID-19 and ask them to detail anyone who may have been infected by them. Edwards says for those interested in the job…
Cut 13 (11) “…privacy”
Those interested in the job should email contact-tracing-at-la-dot-gov.

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss how much money the state will have available to spend next fiscal year and the drop off is expected to be significant. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says every facet of state government will pay attention to this meeting that begins at noon.
Cut 10 (13) “…are so high.”
Speculation indicates the shortfall could be anywhere from 500-million to one-billion dollars.

LSU Health Shreveport is one of five sites in the world chosen to participate in a clinical trial that will see if nitric oxide can successfully treat mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Principal Investigator Dr. Keith Scott says patients will inhale very high doses of nitric oxide twice a day.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…a ventilator.”
Scott says preliminary data suggest that inhaled nitric oxide could have a virus-killing effect on COVID-19 and they hope to have concrete results by December.