A Senate Committee votes for legislation giving the residents of Tangipahoa Parish the opportunity to vote on a proposed riverboat casino. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A House bill to establish a rebate for first time home buyers in Louisiana passed the Ways and Means Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis told the committee that a lack of cash and college debts are making it nearly impossible for young persons to own a residence in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (06)  “should promote.”

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A Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would allow citizens to vote on whether Louisiana should require unanimous juries for felony convictions. Currently, only 10 of 12 jurors are needed to convict someone of a felony. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says our current laws aren’t making people any safer in one of the most crime ridden states in the nation.

Cut 11 (10) “to jail”

A bill that increases the penalty for hazing by increasing fines and jail time goes before the House Criminal Justice Committee today. Three students responsible for the suspected hazing death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver were indicted last week and the maximum penalty they face is a 100 dollar fine and up to 30 days in jail. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says it’s not enough…

Cut 15 (10) “a crime.”

A Senate Committee votes for legislation giving the residents of Tangipahoa Parish the opportunity to vote on a proposed riverboat casino. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A Senate Committee has advanced a constitutional amendment that would require unanimous jury verdicts for felony convictions. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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A bill that increases the penalty for hazing will go before the House Criminal Justice Committee today.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Senate Judiciary B passed a bill to give Tangipahoa residents an opportunity to vote on allowing a casino along the Tangipahoa River near the I-12 Robert exit. If adopted, the Diamond Jack Casino in Bossier could be relocated. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, who is in favor of the project, called on the committee to leave the potential re-location to the people of his parish.

Cut 4  (05) “to decide” 

Tangi Council member Lewis Joseph says if approved, the casino would help the parish fund its education system.

Cut 5  (10)  “to spend”

Tangipahoa voters recently shot down a millage increase that would have raised teacher salaries, which currently sit below the state average.

The measure escaped deferment two to one, with Houma Republican “Norby” Chabert the lone dissenter. Charbert questioned the decision to move the casino to Robert, saying the area may not be the best location to support the venture.

Cut 6 (08) “the state.”

Chairmen of Peninsula Pacific Brent Stevens, the company that owns Diamond Jack, responded to Charbet’s critique. He says after a thorough analysis, his company realized that the region was ripe for a new facility.

Cut 7 (12)  “Tangipahoa Parish.”

The proposal heads to the Senate floor

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A House bill to establish a rebate for first time home buyers in Louisiana passed the Ways and Means Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis told the committee that a lack of cash and college debts are making it nearly impossible for young persons to own a residence in Louisiana…

Cut 8 (06)  “should promote.”

Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter voiced concern over the bill. He says since parishes don’t share homestead exemption records between them, that some homeowners could take advantage of the proposed tax break…

Cut 9 (10)  “of it.”

Monroe Representative Jay Morris says the state doesn’t have money to fund this 15-million-dollar rebate plan. Since the Governor is calling for reductions to balance the budget, Morris says there’s no room to find money to fund Davis’ bill…

Cut 10 (10) “TOPS fully.”

If passed, the bill will not go into effect until 2019.

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A Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would allow citizens to vote on whether Louisiana should require unanimous juries for felony convictions. Currently, only 10 of 12 jurists are needed to convict someone of a felony. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says our current laws aren’t making people any safer in one of the most crime ridden states in the nation.

Cut 11 (10) “to jail”

Louisiana and Oregon are the only two states that do not require a unanimous jury.

Morrell argued that research done by the Innocence Project, a group that helps overturn wrongful convictions, proves unanimous juries help safeguard civil liberties.

The full Senate will debate legislation that rewrites the state’s riverboat casino laws. Jeff Palermo reports the proposal would allow the floating casinos move some of their gaming operations on land…
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Caddo Sheriff’s office announce the arrest of five teens on sexting charges. Sheriff Steve Prator say they shared a nude photo of a fellow student on social media. Sheriff’d Detective Jared Marshall also seized their cell phones.

2016 flood victims are now eligible for a bigger tax break. If you lost more than 500 dollars that wasn’t covered by insurance or government grants, you can deduct the difference from your 2016 income tax return. Some residents could see a significant refund. That’s according to Baton Rouge area CPA Bryan Lagarde….
Cut 5 (09) “benefit people”.
Lagarde suggests flood victims to get the help of a tax preparer to help amend your 2016 tax returns.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has reached out to his constituents with a Facebook video to remind them the state republican party is watching the budget. Harris says they are dedicated to cutting spending during this session and not raising taxes if another special session is called to increase state revenues.
Cut 30 (08) “other way around”

Gaming issues dominated much of the discussion, as legislation was approved that would allow riverboat casinos to move on land and add more gaming space.

But the bill nearly didn’t make it out of committee, after Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver raised concerns about the lack of minorities in casino management positions…

Cut 13 (12) “in that”

And the Senate Judiciary B passed a bill to give Tangipahoa residents an opportunity to vote on allowing a casino along the Tangipahoa River near the I12 Robert exit.

The measure escaped deferment two to one, with Houma Republican “Norby” Chabert the lone dissenter. Charbert questioned why Tangipahoa was selected.

Cut 6 (08) “the state.”

Tangi parish President Robby Miller testified in support of the measure.

A Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would allow citizens to vote on whether Louisiana should require unanimous juries for felony convictions. Currently, only 10 of 12 jurists are needed to convict someone of a felony.

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell argued that research done by the Innocence Project, a group that helps overturn wrongful convictions, proves unanimous juries help safeguard civil liberties.

Cut 12 (08) “jury convictions”

Louisiana and Oregon are the only two states that do not require a unanimous jury.

A House bill to establish a rebate for first time home buyers in Louisiana passed the Ways and Means Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis told the committee that young people are strapped with a heavy economic burden these days that this could help.

Cut 8 (06)  “should promote.”

But Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter says some wealthy homeowners could take advantage of the proposed tax break.

A Senate committee approved legislation today that gives riverboat casinos the opportunity to move on land. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his legislation is not an attempt to expand gaming…
Cut 11 (09) “since 1991″
The measure allows the 15 riverboat casinos to conduct gambling activities within 12-hundred feet on land from where the riverboat is berthed.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed into law a bill that prohibits abortions after 15 weeks. A similar bill has been filed by Shreveport Senator John Milkovich told Talk Lousiaina that abortion clinics are only in the business of terminating pregancies for financial gain…
cut 8 (09) “….Dunkin Donuts”
Planned Parenthood says legislators should be working to expand health care, not taking it away.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has reached out to his constituents with a Facebook video to remind them the state republican party is watching the budget. Harris is the chair of the House Republican Delegation…
Cut 9 (:09) “budget deficit.”
Republicans have insisted the actual deficit is closer to 700-million dollars. The Revenue Estimating Conference is expected to finalize a number in the coming weeks.

The recent federal tax overhaul allows 2016 Louisiana flood victims to re-file their taxes and write off more of their losses, even if they didn’t itemize their deductions….
cut 4 (11) “…of loss”
Brandon Lagarde with Postlethwaite and Netterville says an estimated 500-million dollars is available for Louisiana flood victims and encourages those who plan to re-file to contact a CPA.

A bill that rewrites the state’s riverboat casino laws heads to the Senate floor. It would allow riverboats to have gaming on land and provide for more gaming space. It faces opposition from religious leaders. A pastor from Ponchatoula says the Louisiana Department of Health has estimated that problem gambling costs the state 845-million dollars per year
Cut 12 (10) destroyed lives”
New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson also questioned the director of the Casino Association of Louisiana on why there are not more contracts between riverboat casinos and minority-owned businesses
Cut 14 (08) “their goals.”
The bill’s author, Lake Charles Senator, Ronnie Johns says he’ll address the concerns, before there’s a vote on the Senate floor.

Government analysts say 500 million dollars is available for 2016 Louisiana flood victims to make claims against losses from the disaster….
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Legislation to prevent an abortion after 15 weeks of a pregancy is waiting for debate in the Louisiana legislature. A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order preventing a similiar Mississippi law from going into effect. Shreveport Senator John Milkovich says he still plans on going through with his legislation…
cut 7 (09) “”…federal courts”

A Senate committee approved legislation today that gives riverboat casinos the opportunity to move on land and add more gaming space. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his legislation is not an attempt to expand gaming…

Cut 11 (09) “since 1991”

The bill nearly didn’t make it out of committee, after Shreveport Senator Greg Tarver raised concerns about the lack of minorities in casino management positions…

Cut 13 (12) “in that”

The bill now heads to the Senate Floor. It faces opposition from religious leaders. A pastor from Ponchatoula says the Louisiana Department of Health has estimated that problem gambling costs the state 845-million dollars per year.

Recent Louisiana flood victims can qualify for flood rebate dollars by re-filing 2016 tax returns. If you lost more than 500 dollars that wasn’t covered by insurance or government grants, during the flood, you can deduct the difference from your 2016 income tax return. Some residents could make significant adjustments to their tax returns for significant cash. Plus, Baton Rouge area CPA Bryan Lagarde says you have another year and a half before you must file.

Cut 5  (09) “benefit people”.

Mississippi’s governor has signed a bill that bans abortions after the 15^th week of pregnancy instead of the current 20th week. A similar bill has been introduced by Shreveport Senator John Milkovich. During his appearance on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster, he says he hopes his bill is a first step towards a total abortion ban…

Cut 6 (08)  “quietly by.”

A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order against the new Mississippi law.

The full Senate will debate legislation that rewrites the state’s riverboat casino laws. Jeff Palermo reports the proposal would allow the floating casinos move some of their gaming operations on land…

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Senate Judiciary B has passed a proposal to the Senate floor that would allow a local vote to be had on permitting river boat casino to be built in Tangipahoa Parish. The potential casino would be built along the Tangipahoa River, near the Robert exit on I-12. If it passes through the legislature, the Tangiphaoa would hold a parish wide vote on the matter.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has reached out to his constituents with a Facebook video to remind them the state republican party is watching the budget. Harris says they are dedicated to cutting spending during this session and not raising taxes if another special session is called to increase state revenues.

Cut 10 (11) “other way around”

Mississippi’s governor has signed a bill that bans abortions after the 15^th week of pregnancy instead of the current 20th week. A similar bill has been introduced by Shreveport Senator John Milkovich. There are three abortion clinics in Louisiana – Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. Milkovich says they don’t care about the patients they are treating. Their only concern is their financial gain…

Cut 8 (09) “Dunkin’ Donuts.”