In Washington the announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. New Orleans area representative Steve Scalise’s name has popped up for consideration. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Scalise has as good a chance as anyone.

Cut 3 (:17) “Paul Ryan”

The Louisiana House voted 88-to-3 to lower the threshold for voters to recall elected officials. A recall petition now needs a third of registered voters to sign the petition within six months to hold an election. But Representative Paul Hollis’ bill would lower those requirements. The bill now heads to the senate.

A bill to allow licensed riverboat casinos to expand their operations to land hasn’t moved in two weeks. Black senators are also not happy that earlier in the session the upper chamber voted against a proposal to raise the minimum wage. Senator Troy Carter says instead of providing a living wage, many low income workers are forced to rely on these casinos to provide for their families.

Cut 6 (09) “the jackpot..”

More than 19,200 senior high school students qualified for at least one TOPS scholarship, up from 18,373 in 2016. Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities Ken Bradford says many graduating seniors are ready to attend a college or university. But the hope is that they can afford it…

Cut 13 (09)  “workstudy grants.”

A bill to allow the state’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos to expand their gaming operations on to land and change the rules regarding gaming space has been sitting on the Senate floor for over two weeks, but a vote in the upper chamber could happen today.

Black legislators have also raised concerns that casinos fail to contract with enough minority-owned firms and they also believe there’s a lack of minorities in management at the gambling halls. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says he’s had good dialogue with concerned legislators

Cut 7 (09)  “passing this.”

The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all time high. More than 19,200 senior high school students qualified for at least one scholarship, up from 18,373 in 2016. Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities Ken Bradford says if TOPS funding is cut due to a  one-billion-dollar budget shortfall, a lot of high school students hoping for a scholarship may be disappointed…

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A bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was killed on the Senate floor. The 9 to 26 vote ends that anti-gun legislation for the rest of the session. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys.White compared the domestic killers to terrorists.

Cut 15 (12) “are insane”

Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

Cut 8 (08)  “the state.”

18 year olds will still be able to purchase assault rifles in Louisiana.  Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

A bill to allow the state’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos to expand their gaming operations on to land and change the rules regarding gaming space has been sitting on the Senate floor for over two weeks, but a vote in the upper chamber could happen today.

But the author of the bill, Lake Charles Senator, Ronnie Johns says requiring riverboats to only conduct gambling on water prohibits these facilities from making a substantial investment in their properties….

Cut 5  (07)  “over water.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

The report says Medicaid expansion through the infusion of one-point-eight billion dollars in federal dollars has created over 19-thousand jobs in the health care sector, resulting in  nearly three-point-six-billion-dollars in economic activity. Dr. Gee says healthy people are important to the state’s economy. She says if you’re sick, you’re not a productive person…

Cut 10 (07) “can work.”

The senate judiciary A committee voted 4-2 to delay the raise the age act, which was scheduled to go into effect july first. Under the act the state would stop treating 17 year olds as adults and take care of their offenses through the juvenile justice system. The bill now moves to the full senate.

The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all time high.    Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A bill to allow the state’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos to expand their gaming operations on to land and change the rules regarding gaming space has been sitting on the Senate floor for over two weeks, but a vote in the upper chamber could happen today. Senator Troy Carter says many senators are concerned about the numerous pieces of legislation that seek to expand gambling…

Cut 4  (07) “sports betting” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

Governor Edwards says many who have recently diagnosed with cancer, are able to receive medical care with expansion…

Cut 9 (10)  “too late.”

A bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was killed on the Senate floor. The 9 to 26 vote ends that anti-gun legislation for the rest of the session. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys.

A bill to allow riverboat casinos to expand gaming operations on to land has been waiting for a vote on the Senate floor, but could get a vote today. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

Cut 8 (08)  “the state.”

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The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all time high. More than 19,200 senior high school students qualified for at least one scholarship, up from 18,373 in 2016. Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities Ken Bradford says there’s a new college high school option for students to give them a head start…

Cut 11 (11) “focused diploma.”

The senate judiciary A committee voted 4-2 to delay the raise the age act, which was scheduled to go into effect july first. Under the act the state would stop treating 17 year olds as adults and take care of their offenses through the juvenile justice system. The bill now moves to the full senate.

A bill to eliminate the death penalty as a form of punishment for capital murder, rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. Jeff Palermo reports Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre testified in favor.

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee.  After benefits for foster children are taken away, if they end up in trouble, bill author Ryan Gatti of Bossier City says it’s not cost effective taking care of their needs in jail that in a foster home…

Cut 7 (12)  “foster kids”

A bill that makes it illegal to place your hands on your cell phone while driving passed the House Transportation committee. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s measure says you can’t text or hold your phone, while behind the wheel. Jennifer Smith from Stop Distractions dot org says studies have shown cell phones divide your attention…

Cut 9 (14) “your brain.” (2x)

A Senate bill that requires juveniles to wait until they are 18 before getting married cleared committee today. Current law allows kids to get married with their parents consent as early as 12 years old. Ginger Lecompte is with Women United she says 70 percent of child marriages don’t last and it puts young people in a bad spot.

Cut 12 (14)   “career training”

A bill to eliminate the death penalty in cases of first degree murder, child rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. New Orleans Senator J.P. Morrell’s legislation would apply to offenses after August 1st. Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre (FOB) testified in favor of the measure.

Cut 3 (:09) “culture of life.”

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee.  The committee agreed to the legislation, even though it will cost the state an additional million dollars. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says it’s a tragedy once a foster child gets put on the street once they turn 18

Cut 6 (09)  “up homeless”

A bill that makes it illegal to place your hands on your cell phone while driving passed the House Transportation committee. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s measure says you can’t text or hold your phone, while behind the wheel. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is in support of the bill. He almost found out the hard way how easy it is to get distracted…

Cut 11 (11) “my phone.”

A Senate bill that requires juveniles to wait until they are 18 before getting married cleared committee today. Current law allows kids to get married with parents consent as young as 12 years old and permission from a juvenile judge. Ginger Lecompte with Women United says the bill would eliminate the judge’s permission.

Cut 14 (11)   “the parents”

A bill to eliminate the death penalty as a form of punishment for capital murder, rape, and treason has cleared a senate panel. Jeff Palermo reports Catholic Bishop Shelton Fabre testified in favor.

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana students performed poorly on the National Assessment of Education Progress exams. The state’s fourth-graders had the worst math scores in the nation and finished 49th in reading. Eighth graders didn’t perform much better, 50th in math and 48th in reading. Last year was the first time, fourth graders took the math portion of the exam on a computer.

Lawmakers are considering making it illegal for drivers to hold a phone as a measure cleared the House Transportation committee. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the legislation allows you to use a hand free device to talk on the phone, but the measure prohibits the use of holding a phone…

Cut 10 (10) “your hand”.

The bill heading to the House floor calls for a 125-dollar fine for first offenders and after a third violation your driver’s license could be suspended.

A bill to extend foster care benefits in Louisiana from 18 years old to as much as 21 years old in some cases was passed by the Senate Finance Committee, even though it will cost the state an additional one million dollars. Senator Ryan Gatti of Bossier City says it’s a tragedy that a foster child gets put on the street once they turn 18.

Cut 6 (09) “up homeless”

Louisiana students performed poorly on the National Assessment of Education Progress exams. The state’s fourth-graders had the worst math scores in the nation and finished 49th in reading. Eighth graders didn’t perform much better, 50th in math and 48th in reading. Last year was the first time, fourth graders took the math portion of the exam on a computer.