11:30 LRN Newscast

The Senate Judiciary “A” Committee is hearing several tort reform auto insurance bills today. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrlli says a man who is not in the country legally has been sentenced to ten years in prison for fatal wreck he caused in New Orleans last August. State Police say Jorge Martinez-Sanchez struck a motorcyclist, killing longtime WGNO sports producer Marke Deane. Martinez-Sanchez pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and sentenced ten years in prison and he’ll serve at least six years,

The House Ways and Means Committee failed to support a proposal that would eliminate the state and local sales tax on groceries. Guy Cormier, the executive director of the Louisiana Police Jury Association, voiced his opposition to the bill. He says the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide…

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No one on the committee made a motion to vote on McCormick’s proposal so the idea is dead for the session.

State Police is putting an emphasis this week on enforcing the state’s Move Over Law. Trooper Ryan Davis says Troop F in northeast Louisiana will participate in a special enforcement day tomorrow, targeting drivers who fail to merge into the lane furthest away from a disabled vehicle or a traffic stop on the side of the road.

Cut 3 (12) “…come from this.”

The “Move Over Law” requires motorists to slow down and change lanes, if safe, when approaching emergency vehicles with flashing lights.