House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Karen St. Germain of Pierre Part files a bill that would increase Louisiana’s gasoline tax by 4 cents a gallon. Here’s Michelle Southern…

cut 2 (29) “reporting”

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a man after he crashed his vehicle in a neighborhood ditch and came out firing a gun. They say when residents went to check on the driver, Trimaine Ballard, he exited the vehicle with a firearm and began shooting. Ballard faces numerous charges including illegal use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. No injuries were reported in the incident.

With the legislative session starting Monday, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is concerned about a proposal to eliminate the inventory tax credit as a way to soften cuts to higher ed and health care. With public colleges facing an almost 600-million dollar cut in state funding, Waguespack says it’s time to give universities more autonomy to raise tuition and fees…

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Waguespack says you’ll see companies leaving the state if the inventory tax credit is eliminated.

A bill filed by Metairie Representative Joe Lopinto would essentially make playing fantasy football online for money legal in Louisiana. Lopinto says the measure recognizes that winning outcomes of fantasy reflect relative knowledge and skill of those participating — and that it shouldn’t be considered gambling. He says many people have been clamoring for legislation like this to be filed…

cut 15 (08) “obviously do this”

Right now, “play-for-cash” computer fantasy football violates Louisiana gambling laws.