Legislation that would prohibit smoking inside bars and casinos statewide failed to get out of the House Health and Welfare Committee today. If passed, it would virtually ban smoking in just about every public building in the state. Brent Rochon is a cardiologist who testified in favor…
cut 12 (10) “…the smoke”
But the gaming industry was there in opposition. Alton Ashy represents video poker…
cut 13 (10) “…your decision”
The bill’s author, Representative Dustin Miller, can still bring the bill back before the panel and he does plan on making changes to the legislation.

The fiscal cliff is smaller, but there is still a sizable revenue shortfall for next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference lowered the budget deficit from nearly 1-billion dollars to 648-million dollars. House Speaker Taylor Barras anticipates the House will approve a budget next week that will contain over 600-million dollars in cuts…
cut 6 (10 ) “…pass it”
Governor Edwards is pushing legislators to end the regular session early, so a special session can be called to address the fiscal cliff.

For the second time in the last five months, an Acadiana area family has claimed a Powerball jackpot. A tax attorney representing the Moore Family Trust out of Lafayette brought their 56-million dollar ticket from the March 24th drawing to Louisiana Lottery headquarters. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says on what the family plans do their with their winnings…
Cut 8 (10) “as well.”
Chopin says the Moore Family Trust received over 23-million dollars after state and federal tax withholdings.