Governor John Bel Edwards is continuing his pledge to end the regular legislative session early, so a special session can begin to take up revenue raising measures that he says are needed to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. Testifying in the Senate Finance Committee, Edwards again urged early dismissal.
Cut 3 (:12) “that’s responsible”
But chairman of the House Republican Legislative delegation, Lance Harris, says we’ll have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets Thursday…
cut 6 (09) “…..from there”
Harris says the House Appropriations Committee plans on approving a spending plan for next fiscal year next week.

The full Senate approves a bill to allow children to wear bulletproof backpacks at school. It’s currently illegal to wear body armor on school property. The author of the bill is West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth who says he filed the bill after a shooting at a Florida school shooting killed 17 people….
cut 9 (10) “…can’t guarantee”
The measure moves to the House for more discussion.

Emotional testimony is expected Tuesday morning in the House Transportation committee where they’ll vote on a “hands free” bill while driving. Suzanne Salter says the measure by Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval doesn’t say you can’t talk on a cell phone while driving, it just can’t be in your hand…
cut 5 (10) “….steering wheel”
Salter’s daughter was killed in a car wreck caused by texting a driver.