Vice President Mike Pence and Air Force 2 have landed in Louisiana. The Vice President is in town for a listening tour and Congressman Garret Graves flew down with him. Graves says Louisiana business leaders can offer Mr. Pence a unique perspective, as we’ve faced some unusual challenges, from a historic flood to new energy policies. He says a lot of these situations here affect the entire nation…:
Cut 10 (12) “or inefficiently”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on the Louisiana congressional delegation to oppose President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins October 1. The governor’s communications director Richard Carbo says they’re disappointed the plan repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act..:
Cut 3 (09) “every year”
He says the governor will make his concerns known to Vice President Pence during the visit today.

A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement for the TOPS award to 2.75 barely made it off the House floor Tuesday. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says many people who support this bill don’t understand communities that struggle…:
Cut 16 (07) “in the face”

But supporters say this would help sustain the program. The bill heads to the Senate on a 53-32 vote.

The House is slated to take up a proposal today to raise the state’s gasoline tax 17 cents. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is skeptical the additional revenue raised by the tax would be used to alleviate highway problems….:
Cut 5 (10) “new roads”
But supporters assert there is more accountability and transparency with this proposal. It will need support from two-thirds of the House to advance, and they will vote next week according to the bill’s author, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter.