There’s three days left in the special session and the big argument continues to be over how much money to use from the rainy day fund to address the $304 million budget shortfall. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the governor wants to use $119 million, but House Republicans only support using 75-million in the savings account dollars, and make more cuts…:
CUT 13 (10) “next year”
The Senate yesterday passed a budget bill that uses $99 million of the Rainy Day Fund.

The state Department of Education has changed requirements for the Child Care Assistance Program, which provides federal funds so low income families can pay for child care while going to work or school. Assistant Superintendent of Early Childhood Jenna Conway:
Cut 4 (10) “in class”
The work requirement was previously 30 hours.

A 30-day closed season for crabbing begins today. Crustacean Program Manager for Marine Fisheries at LDWF Jeff Marx says the crab population is down in Louisiana, and they hope this ban will help that rebound…:
Cut 10 (11) “very high”
He says this 30-day ban will be implemented beginning the third Monday of every February through 2017.

An inmate who walked off a job site last week was located Saturday at a parade in Metairie, and a deputy has been suspended in connection with the escape, according to the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. They say 24-year-old Mertis Wade, on work release for a simple robbery charge, was arrested at the Krewe of Caesars parade.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development approved Louisiana’s plan for spending the first 438 million dollars for flood recovery. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says most of the money will go to low income families who are elderly or disabled but another 1.2 billion dollars was approved to go to other affected homeowners. She says they gathered public input on the plan and submitted it to HUD…
Cut 5 (12) “that are allowed”

The Louisiana House approved a measure that would reduce state spending but 115 million dollars over the next four months. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says economic downturn has led to lower tax revenues for the state and agencies must make the cuts to reflect what the state can afford…
Cut 9 (12) “never”

But Governor Edwards is concerned about cuts to prisons and healthcare.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is encouraging Louisianans to use the hashtag #OnlyInLouisiana to promote tourism. Don Molino has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Department of Children and Family Services is allowing hot food to be bought with SNAP and Disaster food assistance in the seven parishes that were hit hard by tornadoes last week. Affected individuals can buy hot food until March 31st. Hot food is typically not allowed to be purchased with these state food assistance cards.

The House approved a measure that would reduce state spending by 115 million dollars over the next four months. Edwards has recommended using 120-million dollars in rainy day money as a way to soften the cuts. Democratic New Orleans Rep. Gary Carter supports the governor’s proposal.
Cut 8 (08) “their support”

But House Appropriation Chairman Cameron Henry says the economic downturn has led to lower tax revenues for the state and agencies must make the cuts to reflect what the state can afford.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism has launched hashtag only in Louisiana to promote tourism in our state. Like many state agencies, tourism is facing budget cuts. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says we just don’t have the money to promote tourism in every corner of the state, which is why this effort is so important.
cut 11 (07) “they deserve”

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development approved Louisiana’s plan for spending the first 438 million dollars approved for flood recovery in the state. The governors Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says some of this assistance will go to small business owners who were impacted. But she says most of it will help low income families who are elderly or disabled and didn’t have flood insurance.
cut 4 (10) “were renters”

Payer says an additional $1.2 billion was approved by Congress in December that will go to other affected homeowners

Parkway High School in Bossier City has fired David Feaster as head football coach, after making a statement saying Alabama coaches are not allowed on campus to recruit players. The school’s principal did not like that Feaster was making rules for the school. KTBS TV Sports Director Tatum Everett says Feaster’s firing comes as a shock.
Cut 13 (10) “successful“

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that makes deeper cuts than the governor has recommended to this fiscal year’s budget. The measure would reduce state spending by 115-million dollars over the next four months. Governor John Bel Edwards is concerned about the cuts to the state prisons that’s contained in the bill and,,,
Cut 6 (05) “unwise”

But House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry defended what the House passed on Friday night….
cut 7 (11) “…to them”

Governor John Bel Edwards has recommended using 120-million dollars in rainy day money as a way to soften the cuts.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development approved Louisiana’s plan for spending the first $438 million approved for flood recovery. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says the next step is for HUD to do grant agreements and open a line of credit for the state.
Cut 3 (12) “going on”

The Louisiana Office of Tourism has launched a new social media campaign to get Louisianans to promote tourism in our state. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says the hashtag #OnlyInLouisiana gives residents the chance to be tourism ambassadors for the Bayou State because no one can tell our story better than Louisianans.
Cut 10 (12) “their hometown”

To sign up to be an ambassador visit LouisianaTravel.com/ambassador.

The forecast is much better today, so LSU baseball will finally be able to begin its season. The Fighting Tigers will play two seven-inning games today and both will be against Army. The first game will be at noon and the second game will be at 4 PM. Alex Lange will pitch in the first game at noon and he can’t wait…
cut 18 (11) ‘…season again”
Jared Poche will pitch in game two.

The Ragin Cajuns at Southeastern Louisiana also had their opener rained out last night. So now the Cajuns will face Murray State at 1 PM in Hammond, while the Lions host Hofstra at 6 PM.
There were games played last night. Louisiana Tech blanked Arkansas Pine Bluff 11-0. And ULm scored five runs in the 9th inning to beat Dallas Baptist 8-3.
Parkway High School’s David Feaster is out as head football coach. The move is in response to Feaster telling a radio station Alabama coaches have been banned from campus for what he called unethicial recruiting practices. KTBS TV Sports Director Tatum Everett was on the Parkway campus after the announcement and she says it was an emotional scene….
cut 15 (10) “…be okay”
Feaster is the winningest football coach in Parkway history.

Ferriday Football Coach Dwight Woods has resigned after leading to the Trojans to a 9-4 record this past season. There’s been reports that Woods was involved with a physical altercation with a student when he was driving the basketball team back from a game in Monroe.

College hoops today…Louisiana Tech hosts FIU at 6 PM. The Dunkin Dogs are looking for their 5th straight win. LSU is at Alabama.

After lengthy debates on Friday, a bill is heading to the Senate Finance Committee that uses only $74 million from the rainy day fund to address a $304-million budget shortfall, which would mean deeper cuts to healthcare, public schools, and prisons. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says the cuts being proposed will impact the public.

Cut 8 (07) “somebody needs”
Republicans are hesitant to use more onetime money on recurring expenses.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved the state’s plan for spending the $438 million in flood recovery aid. The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says the next step is for HUD to do grant agreements and open a line of credit for the state.

Cut 3 (12) “going on”

The Louisiana Office of Tourism has launched a new social media campaign to get Louisianans to promote tourism in our state. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says the hashtag #OnlyInLouisiana allows residents to be tourism ambassadors for the Bayou State because no one can tell our story better than Louisianans.

Cut 10 (12) “their hometown”

The Parkway High School head football coach has been fired after making a statement on a radio station saying Alabama coaches are not allowed on campus to recruit players. KTBS TV Sports Director Tatum Everett says David Feaster still remains a math teacher at Parkway. She says many previous players have voiced their disapproval of Feaster’s termination.

Cut 14 (11) “mistake”

There’s been a lengthy discussion on the House floor today over how much to cut from the budget versus dipping into the state’s rainy day fund to address a 304-million dollar midyear shortfall. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the state is spending more than it receives in tax revenues, which is why he prefers cutting the budget, before using one-time money to pay for recurring expenses..
cut 9 (09) “…look at”
Democratic New Orleans Representative Walt Leger supports using 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund to prevent deep cuts to the department of health…
cut 6 (06) “…the budget’
The senate finance committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the House’s budget deficit elimination plan. The special session must end Wednesday night.

Troy Brown has resigned from the state senate ahead of a second hearing on his expulsion. He was under fire from the body due to domestic violence convictions. Brown said he wanted to spare the Senate from having to go through this process which is one reason he stepped down…:
Cut 16 (09) “further embarrassment”
A special election will be called in Brown’s district to replace him.

Federal officials approve the state’s plan to use 438-million dollars to help some four-thousand residents rebuild from the March and August floods. But over 100-thousand homes were damaged and Julie Baxter Payer, with the governor’s office, says the state is awaiting federal approval to spend another one-point-two-billion dollars that was approved by Congress….
cut 5 (12) “…that are allowed”

The state’s plan for spending the first round of federal flood assistance has been approved by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

It’s been a long day of discussions on the House floor over the best way to address the state’s 304-million dollar midyear budget shortfall. Republicans continue to push back against Governor John Bel Edwards’ recommendation to use 119-million dollars in rainy day money to soften the cuts. GOP lawmakers keep saying the state has to quit spending money it doesn’t have.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser wants the public to help promote the state as a tourist destination by sharing great experiences they have on social media with a hash-tag Only-In-Louisiana. Nungesser says he wants residents in every corner of the state to participate…
cut 11 (07) “..deserve”
To learn more go to Louisiana-travel-dot-com-backslash-ambassadors.

Parkway High School’s David Feaster is out as head football coach. The move is in response to Feaster telling a radio station that Alabama coaches have been banned from campus for what he called unethicial recruiting practices. KTBS TV Sports Director Tatum Everett was on the Parkway campus today and she says it’s been an emotional day….
cut 15 (10) “…be okay”
Feaster is the winningest football coach in Parkway history.