Do you think your taxes are too high? A new report has Louisiana tied for fifth for least amount of taxes paid as a 24-7 Wall Street report says on a per capita basis, just eight-percent of our income goes to state and local governments. LSU Economist Doctor Jim Richardson says this report will not change the mind of many…
cut 12 (08) “….taxed enough”
The report shows that state income tax collections per capita is 13th lowest, and property tax collections is 8th lowest.

Lawmakers approve legislation to allow students to have a bulletproof backpack at school. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says parents are looking at ways to make sure their children can protect themselves, if a shooter enters the school. He says this is one option
Cut 7 (12) “200 dollars”
The measure heads to the House.

Emotional testimony is expected in the House Transportation committee today as a bill will be heard, requiring drivers to use only hands free communication devices. Suzanne Salter will testify in favor. Salter says her daughter was killed in 2014 by a teenage driver who was texting at the time of the fatal crash..
Cut 4 (09) “her phone”
State law says you can’t text while you drive. But Salter says by making it illegal to have your hands on your cellphone while behind the wheel, enforcement will be easier.

Legislation that increases penalties for teachers who engage in sexual acts with students is set for a hearing in a Senate committee today. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti’s bill makes such an offense a felony and also expands the law to include team doctors. He says the measure was inspired by the sexual abuse charges against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar
Cut 15 (11) “take it seriously”

A 24-7 Wall Street report shows Louisiana taxpayers are tied for fifth in the least amount of taxes paid to local and state governments. LSU economist Doctor Jim Richardson says this state has been a low tax state for years….
Cut 10 (11) “at all”
The report shows Louisiana residents pay just 8-percent of their income to state and local governments.

The state Senate approves legislation that would allow students to have bulletproof backpacks in public schools. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell was one of two senators who voted agains tthe bill, because even police officers who wear bulletproof vests suffer serious injuries after getting shot….
cut 8 (12) “…enter a school”
The measure moves to the House for more discussion.

Legislation that makes it illegal to have your hands on your phone while driving is set to be heard by the House Transportation committee today…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Senate approves a bill that makes it clear bestiality is illegal in Louisiana. A law on the books prohibits crimes against nature, but it also outlaws sodomy and it was ruled unconstitutional in 2003. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says its important the state has a way to arrest someone for bestiality
Cut 13 (05) “to children”
The bill heads to the House.

Governor John Bel Edwards is continuing his pledge to end the regular legislative session early, so a special session can begin to take up revenue raising measures that he says are needed to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. Testifying in the Senate Finance Committee, Edwards again urged early dismissal.
Cut 3 (:12) “that’s responsible”
But chairman of the House Republican Legislative delegation, Lance Harris, says we’ll have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets Thursday…
cut 6 (09) “…..from there”
Harris says the House Appropriations Committee plans on approving a spending plan for next fiscal year next week.

The full Senate approves a bill to allow children to wear bulletproof backpacks at school. It’s currently illegal to wear body armor on school property. The author of the bill is West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth who says he filed the bill after a shooting at a Florida school shooting killed 17 people….
cut 9 (10) “…can’t guarantee”
The measure moves to the House for more discussion.

Emotional testimony is expected Tuesday morning in the House Transportation committee where they’ll vote on a “hands free” bill while driving. Suzanne Salter says the measure by Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval doesn’t say you can’t talk on a cell phone while driving, it just can’t be in your hand…
cut 5 (10) “….steering wheel”
Salter’s daughter was killed in a car wreck caused by texting a driver.

Governor Edwards says despite expiring temporary sales taxes on June 30th, the state cannot approve a budget in the regular session that adequately funds TOPS, higher education and health care. He says a special session is needed so revenues can be raised and put the state in a good fiscal posture…

Cut 4 (13) “job done.”

House Republican legislative leader Lance Harris says they are determining if they can pass a budget by making cuts and using savings to fill the deficit.

Cut 5 (09) “we’re in”

Harris says they will have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets on Thursday

A lethal shooting early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge has authorities thinking the victim, 18 year old Brice Lewis, might have been attempting to break into vehicles by an apartment complex. According to the apartment manager who said she saw surveillance video, claims the person who shot Lewis drove away. Corporal Don Coppola says they would like to talk with that person…

Cut 9 (08) “they may have”

Coppola says they are still seeking the person who shot Lewis.

Gas prices have held steady for the week and Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the jump in gas prices we see every spring appears to be over. Redman says despite a strong demand, the statewide average for regular gasoline has been holding at $2.44

Cut 13 (06) “prices”

Redman expects fuel prices to rise slightly when the summer driving season arrives.

Gas prices usually rise in the spring time as refineries shut down operations to switch from a winter grade gasoline to a summer grade. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump has increased 11-cents over the last month, but much of that increase occurred in the weeks leading up to Easter weekend….

Cut 14 (10) “very shortly.”

Redman says there could be a slight increase in the price when the summer driving season arrives.

A case of measles is confirmed today by Louisiana state health officials. A traveler from the United Kingdom was hospitalized over the weekend in New Orleans. Test results for measles came back positive. The virus is known to be highly contagious with symptoms that can include high fever, runny nose, followed by red spots on their skin. The Louisiana Department of Health says the best protection against measles infection is vaccination.

A bill that requires instruction and display of the national motto, “In God We Trust’ in public schools passed out of the Senate Finance committee today. Don Molino has the story…
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

Baton Rouge Police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in which the person who died is suspected of breaking into vehicles at the time. Corporal Don Coppola says 18-year-old Brice Lewis died at the scene early Sunday morning
Cut 7 (07) “struck him”
Coppola says the Baton Rouge Police are still looking for the person who shot Lewis.

Governor John Bel Edwards is continuing his pledge to end the regular legislative session early, so a special session can begin to take up revenue raising measures that he says are needed to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. Testifying in the Senate Finance Committee, Edwards again urged early dismissal.
Cut 3 (:12) “that’s responsible”
But chairman of the House Republican Legislative delegation, Lance Harris, says we’ll have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets Thursday…
cut 6 (09) “…..from there”
Harris says the House Appropriations Committee plans on approving a spending plan for next fiscal year next week.

Triple-A says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is holding steady at $2.44. Fuel analyst Don Redman anticipates gas prices will only increase slightly once the summer driving season begins….
cut 15 (09) “…the summer”
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says the cheapest gas in the nation can be found in Baton Rouge.

Authorities in the capital city are seeking a man who fatally shot an 18-year-old, who was allegedly breaking into vehicles at an apartment complex Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says there is surveillance video of the shooting…
cut 8 (07) “…from it”
Brice Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.

And the search continues today for a missing four-year-old boy in Claiborne Parish. Authorities say Junior Phillips wandered away from home last Thursday while outside with the mother’s boyfriend.