A House committee approved three sales tax bills today that would reduce the state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis’ legislation to renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths passed on a 12-5 vote as members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow.

A State Police trooper has been arrested and placed on administrative leave for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee faces a charge of third-degree rape. Journee has been with L-S-P since 2007.

Governor John Bel Edwards said today on his montly call-in show that he’s keeping a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team on the Mexico border. Edwards says removing them would risk the lives of law enforcement….
Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”
But Edwards criticized the Trump administration for separating families that were caught trying to cross into the United States illegally. President Trump signed an executive order today stopping family separation.

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.