The Louisiana Legislature is on its way to sending marijuana reform proposals to Governor Bobby Jindal. One allows for the dispensing of medical marijuana and another bill drastically reduces the penalties for pot possession under 14 grams. Kevin Caldwell with Common Sense Nola says the sentence reduction bills are very progressive…

cut 5 (10) “great step”

The governor gives every indication he will sign the bills.

With just days left in the legislative session, it looks like Louisiana businesses are the big losers. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the scaling back of tax exemptions for businesses was how much of the money for the budget was raised, which upsets the business community…

cut 11 (08) “raging battle”

Legislators are trying to close a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall in order to pass a budget that doesn’t dramatically cut funding for higher education and health care.

The Louisiana House could vote on a resolution to hold a veto override session. So far house members have yet to support a higher education tax credit that is needed to provide the offset Governor Jindal needs to sign the hundreds of million of dollars in tax measures the legislature is poised to approve. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says legislators are hoping a budget solution can be found…

cut 9 (10) “this session”

The legislative session ends Thursday at 6PM.

The state Senate voted to increase the cigarette tax by 72 cents which would bring it up to the Southern regional average. It’s unlikely the lower chamber will go along with what the Senate approved. Gonzales Senator Jody Amedee voted against New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s amendment…

cut 14 (10) “raise taxes”

The Senate increase would raise the cigarette tax to $1.08