There’s three days left in the special session and the big argument continues to be over how much money to use from the rainy day fund to address the $304 million budget shortfall. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor wants to use $119 million, but House Republicans only support using 75-million in the savings account dollars, and make more cuts…:
CUT 13 (10) “next year”
The Senate yesterday passed a budget bill that uses $99 million of the Rainy Day Fund.

The state Department of Education has changed requirements for the Child Care Assistance Program, which provides federal funds so low income families can pay for child care while going to work or school. Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Jenna Conway:
Cut 4 (10) “in class”
The work requirement was previously 30 hours.

A 30-day closed season for crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is down in Louisiana, and they hope this ban will help that rebound…:
Cut 10 (11) “very high”
He says this 30-day ban will be implemented beginning the third Monday of every February through 2017.

An inmate who walked off a job site last week was located Saturday at a parade in Metairie, and a deputy has been suspended in connection with the escape, according to the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say 24-year-old Mertis Wade, on work release for a simple robbery charge, was arrested at the Krewe of Caesars parade.