Several bills related to casino gaming in Louisiana will be considered during the regular session. Kelley Ray has a look.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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The House Appropriations Committee will take its first look at the budget today. Matt Doyle has competing reactions.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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School students may be allowed to bring bullet proof backpacks to school. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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There are several bills filed for this legislative session that will seek to make major changes to the state’s gaming industry. Executive Director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says the state legalized riverboat gambling in 1991 and now those casinos are looking to become more attractive to players if they can have gambling space on land…

Cut 4  (10) “games themselves.” 

Duty says not only are riverboat casinos asking the legislature to allow gaming on land, they are also seeking extra floor space…

Cut 5  (11)  “the floor.”

Duty realizes that there will be opponents against the modernization of the gambling industry, but stresses the bills before the legislature will not expand gaming as they are not seeking additional riverboat gaming licenses. He says these changes are designed to help casino operators and benefit the state with more tax revenue…

Cut 6 (13) “the state.”

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In Baton Rouge today the House Appropriations Committee will begin the long process of attempting to hammer out a budget before the end of the regular session. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne doubts the legislature can pass a spending plan facing a billion dollar revenue shortfall.

Cut 7 (09)  “to dramatic.”

Dardenne says because of a lack of revenues, deep cuts will be needed in the areas of health care, higher education, and TOPS. He says it will result in layoffs in state government and in the private sector.

Cut 8 (08) “care arena”

But Appropriations Chairman Rep. Cameron Henry disagrees, saying the budget gap only amounts to a fraction of the total budget. Cameron believes the legislature will find the cuts necessary to avoid having to enter a special session.

Cut 9 (05)  “this point”

Henry says part of the reason for the budget gap is that state agencies are requesting more money than they did last year.

The Republican from Metairie says before assuming the state needs more revenue, legislators should look at making cuts to the Department of Health’s budget.

Cut 10 (09) “billion dollars.”

The regular session is scheduled to end June 4^th.

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Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his economic agenda in front of the legislature, calling for a higher minimum wage, fewer small business regulations, and equal pay legislation for women. 18 states raised their minimum wage this year, and Louisiana remain one of only five states without its own minimum wage. Edwards says the current minimum wage just isn’t right to workers.

Cut 11 (11) “two years”

The minimum wage proposal faces opposition from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, who says the market should set wages, not government.

The governor sited a report showing Louisiana with one of the worst gender pay gaps in the nation, and came out in support of legislation that would make it illegal to pay women less than men for the same job.

Governor John Bel Edwards kicked off the regular session today by laying out his legislative agenda. The governor is urging legislators to cut back on unnecessary regulations hampering the state’s economy. He says Louisiana has some of the most burdensome occupational licensing restrictions in the nation.
Cut 13 (06) “to require.”
The governor also pushed for the passage of a higher minimum wage bill and equal pay for men and women.

One of the many issues lawmakers will consider is changes to the riverboat gaming industry and allowing them to have gambling on shore. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says other gambling operators are seeking changes to current laws…
Cut 7 (09) “to speak.”
Bills to legalize sports betting and fantasy sports with a third party vender have also been filed for this session.

NFL teams can contact Drew Brees’ agent and begin the negotiating process about joining their team. Brees is free to sign with another team on Wednesday. But NFL analyst Mike Detillier still believes Brees will stay with the Black and Gold…
cut 9 (09) “with it.”
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the Vikings have made a call to Brees’ agent.

Also, today Baton Rouge porn star Stormy Daniels is offering to pay back the 130-thousand dollars she received for allegedly agreeing not to disclose a sexual relationship she had with President Trump. Daniels says she wants to openly talk about the relationship.

The F-B-I said today they have arrested 62 people for making threats against schools since the deadly school shooting in south Florida on February 14th. Those arrested range in age of 11 to 28 years old and most those arrested were charged with terrorizing.

Over 11-hundred bills have been filed for the regular session. Kelley Ray spoke with LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford on what lawmakers will take about over the next couple of months…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Tomorrow, the House Appropriations Committee will hold its first budget hearing. Chairman Cameron Henry says they will work to pass a budget for next fiscal year in this regular session, even though the administration claims the cuts will be to deep.

During this session legislators will not be able to vote on revenue raising bills, which means there’s a great uncertainty over whether TOPS will be fully funded next school year. Governor Edwards told legislators he knows of a student who is considering Alabama instead of LSU, because of uncertainity with TOPS funding..
Cut 12 (09) “on both.” (audience clapping)
If lawmakers fail to find a solution to the billion dollar budget gap, TOPS could receive an 80 percent cut in funding.

There are several bills filed for this legislative session that will seek to make major changes to the state’s gaming industry. Executive Director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says the state legalized riverboat gambling in 1991 and now those casinos are looking to have gambling space on land…
Cut 4 (10) “games themselves.”
Duty says these changes are designed to help casino operators and benefit the state with more tax revenue.

Governor Edwards hit on several topics during his address to the state legislature which convened today for the 2018 regular session. Edwards pushed for a higher minimum wage, anti-sexual harassment training for all public employees and hazing prevention education on college campuses. He did not get specific about proposed legislation dealing with guns…
cut 14 (11) “…this session”
There are numerous gun bills filed during this session.

NFL teams can contact Drew Brees’ agent and begin the negotiating process about joining their team. Brees is free to sign with another team on Wednesday. But NFL analyst Mike Detillier still believes Brees will stay with the Black and Gold…
cut 9 (09) “with it.”

Governor John Bel Edwards supports a bill that rolls back the standard public school teachers need to achieve for tenure. Jeff Palermo has more.
Voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The regular session is set to end on June 4th. But La-Politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the goal is to end the regular session in May, so they can have another special session to discuss solutions to the fiscal cliff…
cut 8 (07) “…regular session”

Governor John Bel Edwards kicked off the regular session today by laying out his legislative agenda, and tearing into lawmakers who failed to fix the fiscal cliff. As part of his agenda, the governor proposed an economic plan that he says would cut back on unnecessary regulations hampering the state’s economy. He says Louisiana has some of the most burdensome occupational licensing restrictions in the nation.

Cut 13 (06) “to require.”

The governor also touched on the minimum wage, equal pay, and sportsman’s licenses.

Time is running out for the Saints and Drew Brees to come to an agreement before free agency opens Wednesday. Brees turned 39 in January, and Saints analyst Mike Detillier says that adds to the complication.

Cut 10 (12) “free agency”

Lawmakers are back at the capital today to begin the regular session, a week after the special session failed to find a resolution for a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall.  LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the backbiting and harsh words that were slung around between legislators will have an impact.  They need to work together to consider over 1,000 non revenue related bills…

Cut 6 (07)  “Medicaid access”

LSU president F. King Alexander is standing behind his decision to institute a zero tolerance policy on hazing in the Greek system. In the wake of the death of Maxwell Gruver the school commissioned a group to come up with a plan. Alexander says the restrictions on alcohol are to protect students, but wants to remind people the Greek system is a valuable asset for the university…

Cut 3 (11) “graduation rate.”

LSU president F. King Alexander says the LSU Greek system is much more helpful than hurtful. But he believes a zero tolerance hazing policy is necessary. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

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Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge for the start of the regular session. Kelley Ray spoke with LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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LSU president F. King Alexander is standing behind his decision to institute a zero tolerance policy on hazing in the Greek system. In the wake of the death of Maxwell Gruver the school commissioned a group to come up with a plan. Alexander says the restrictions on alcohol are to protect students.  He says the Greek system is a valuable asset for the university…

Cut 3 (11) “graduation rate.”

Alexander says the culture of tradition runs deep in the Greek system and he says there is no reason for them to be hazing…

Cut 4  (06) “to have.”

Alexander says they have tried other types of rules and regulations but at the end of the day the administration has to have a single purpose edict…

Cut 5  (07) “United States.” 

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Lawmakers are back at the capital today to begin the regular session, a week after the special session failed to find a resolution for a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall.  LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the backbiting and harsh words that were slung around between legislators will have an impact.  They need to work together to consider over 1,000 non revenue related bills…

Cut 6 (07)  “Medicaid access”

A task force recommended to allow riverboat casinos to come on shore. Alford that led to several other gambling operators asking for changes in legislation that affects them…

Cut 7 (09)  “to speak.”

The elephant in the room is the budget shortfall. There can’t be any finance bills considered, but there are hints there will be a special session. Alford feels the regular session could end before the June 4^th deadline, which puts lawmakers under a tight schedule…

Cut 8 (07) “regular session.”

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Time is running out for the Saints and Drew Brees to come to an agreement before free agency opens Wednesday and suitors from across the NFL are allowed to bid for the Black and Gold superstar’s services. As of this morning, teams are now allowed to begin contacting Brees’ agent and begin the negotiating process. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says it’ll be a nail bitter…

Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

Brees turned 39 in January, and Detillier says that adds to the complication. He says Brees will want to max out his paycheck, while the team keeps an eye to the future…

Cut 10 (12) “free agency”

Detillier says if history holds true, the Saints will bend and pay up, because Brees holds all the leverage, and superstar quarterbacks just don’t come around very often…

Cut 11 (11) “he wants.”

Saints fans are hoping to keep Brees around for a run at this year’s Super Bowl in Atlanta.

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Governor John Bel Edwards kicked off the regular session today by laying out his legislative agenda, and tearing into lawmakers who failed to fix the fiscal cliff. The governor highlighted the plight of Louisiana’s highest performing students, who could begin to be poached by universities in other states with TOPS still up in the air. Edwards says right now Bama is beating us academically, and athletically.

Cut 12 (09) “on both.” (audience clapping)

If lawmakers fail to find a solution to the billion dollar budget gap, TOPS will be in line for a 80 percent cut.

The governor proposed an economic agenda that he says would cut back on unnecessary regulations hampering the state’s economy. He says Louisiana has some of the most burdensome occupational licensing restrictions in the nation.

Cut 13 (06) “to require.”

The governor also touched on minimum wage, equal pay, and sportsman’s licenses.

One area where Edwards did not provide specifics was in gun control and school safety. Instead, he called for the beginning of nonpolitical dialog about the topic that’s dominating state houses across the country.

Cut 14 (11) “this session.”

The governor also called for mandatory anti hazing education in universities.

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Governor John Bel Edwards kicked off the regular session today by laying out his legislative agenda, and tearing into lawmakers who failed to fix the fiscal cliff. The governor highlighted the plight of Louisiana’s highest performing students, who could begin to be poached by universities in other states with TOPS still up in the air. Edwards says right now Bama is beating us academically, and athletically.

Cut 12 (09) “on both.”

One of the many issues lawmakers will consider is gaming. A task force recommended to allow riverboat casinos to come on shore. LA Politics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the recommendation led to several other gambling operators asking for changes in legislation that affects them…

Cut 7 (09)  “to speak.”

LSU president F. King Alexander is standing behind his decision to institute a zero tolerance policy on hazing in the Greek system. In the wake of the death of Maxwell Gruver the school commissioned a group to come up with a plan to further protect students and Greek sororities. Alexander says the culture of tradition runs deep in the Greek system and he says there is no reason for them to be hazing.

Cut 5  (06) “to have.”

Time is running out for the Saints and Drew Brees to come to an agreement before free agency opens Wednesday and suitors from across the NFL are allowed to bid for the Black and Gold superstar’s services. As of this morning, teams are now allowed to begin contacting Brees’ agent and begin the negotiating process. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says it’ll be a nail bitter.

Cut 9 (09) “with it.”

Lawmakers are back in Baton Rouge for the start of the regular session. Kelley Ray spoke with LAPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford on what we can expect…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Tax bills are not allowed to be discussed during this regular session, which is why a special session is likely at the conclusion of the regular session to fix the fiscal cliff. Governor Edwards told legislators he knows of a student who is considering Alabama instead of LSU, because of uncertainity with TOPS funding.

LSU President F King Alexander was a guest this morning on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster. Alexander was asked about the role the greek system plays on campus in wake of the suspected hazing death of Maxwell Gruver. Alexander says the culture of tradition runs deep in the Greek system and he says there is no reason for them to be hazing…
cut 5 (06) “…to have’
LSU is implementing a zero tolerance policy towards hazing and anyone caught doing so will be kicked off campus.

NFL teams are now allowed to talk with Saints Quarterback Drew Brees representatives as he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says if history holds true, the Saints will pay up, because Hall of Fame quarterbacks don’t come around very often…
cut 11 (11) “…he wants”