A Lafayette judge who repeatedly used a racial slur in a video taken insider her home has resigned from the bench. Judge Michelle Odinet’s attorney, Dane Ciolino, sent the resignation letter to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Ciolino says Odinet asked for forgiveness in the letter but knows forgiveness will not come quickly…
cut 12 (08) “….work to do”
Odinet had been on an unpaid leave of absence after the video surfaced.

Looking ahead to the year in politics, debates will emerge that we’ve seen at the state capitol before. LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford on some of the hot button topics…
cut 5 (09) “….criminal justice reform”
State lawmakers will also hold a redistricting session in February.

The new year brings a change to the state’s medical-marijuana program as eligible patients can now buy it in smokeable form. Houma Representative Tanner Magee…
Cut 13 (12) “…uses wants.”
And the smokeable form is cheaper than the other medical marijuana products.

Taxpayers will also see lower income tax rates in 2022, but Louisiana residents will not be able to deduct federal income taxes paid on their state income tax returns anymore. The tax reform has been pitched as revenue-neutral and tax expert Jason Decuir says if it does lead to a budget shortfall, changes could be made…
cut 9 (10) “…for the state”
The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Office says most individual income taxpayers who don’t itemize will see a tax cut, while those who itemize likely will pay more.