Governor John Bel Edwards will address the legislature at 1pm today after the 2017 regular legislative session begins. One of his main agenda items is criminal justice reform and reducing the state’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. But Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the concept is easier said than done…:
Cut 6 (09) “group out”

As for Edwards’ tax plan, even members of his own party are skeptical. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds heads the state Democratic Caucus and says many lawmakers are unsure about levying a gross receipts tax on businesses, which is basically a sales tax paid by sellers instead of buyers….:
Cut 8 (08) “I would think”
Other big topics at the Capitol over the next two months include TOPS and proposals to raise the gasoline tax.

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

If you flooded in 2016, today a mandatory survey to see if you’re eligible for federal aid is now available for victims. Governor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer encourages all homeowners to visit restore.la.gov, whether or not they think they will qualify for assistance…:
Cut 11 (10) “becomes eligible”