The Senate approved a bill that would renew the state’s contract with Harrah’s New Orleans for at least 20 more years, contribute an additional 20 million dollars a year to the state’s coffers, and they would provide an upfront payment of 40-million dollars, which would be divided between the state and the city. Harrah’s would also agree to build a 350-million dollar hotel, with new restaurants and entertainment space. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says if Harrah’s agrees, it’d be a huge investment in the state.
Cut 13 (10) “twenty years”
The measure heads back to the House to see if they agree to Senate changes with the legislation.

During his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards says he’s waiting for the final language in the Harrah’s bill, before determining whether he’ll sign it….
cut 5 (09) “…the House”

A bill that would have allowed teachers to join students in prayer during school hours was significantly changed by the House because of concerns were raised that it violated religious civil rights. The bill would have allowed the joint prayer to occur if all students present had a signed consent form from their parents. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the old bill would have targeted religious minorities.
Cut 10 (11) “consent form”
The amendments were rejected by the bill’s author, Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti this moring, and a committee will try to iron out the differences.

Kenner Representative Julie Stokes announces she will run for Secretary of State this fall, becoming the first announced candidate to be the state’s election chief. Stokes if elected, she’ll encourage voter participation and protect Louisiana elections….
cut 8 (10) “….possible”
The general election is in November.

On a 21-16 vote, the Senate approves legislation that would provide Harrah’s New Orleans casino with a 20 to 30 year contract extension on its land-based license. In exchange, Harrah’s will build a 340-room luxury hotel and pay the state 84-million dollars a year starting in 2021. But Winnfield Senator Gerald Long wishes the legislature had more time to review the propsoal….
cut 14 (08) “….it now”
The measure heads back to the House to see if they agree to upper chamber changes.

This November, Louisiana voters will decide if unanimous jury verdicts should be required in criminal trials. Under current law, it takes 10 of 12 juors to agree on a guilty verdict. Governor Edwards hopes the public will approve the change to the state’s constitution…
cut 6 (09) “…unanimous jury”

The House has done a major rewrite to a Senate bill that would have allowed teachers to participate in student-initiated prayers during school hours, if the student provided a signed note from their parents. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabugh says the legislation by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti would prompt lawsuits…
cut 11 (08) “…they will win”
The measure heads back to the Senate to see if they agree with the significant changes made by the House.

We have our first announced candidate in this fall’s Secretary of State race. Kenner Representative Julie Stokes has thrown her hat into the ring. The election should draw a large number of candidates and Stokes hopes being a female will give her an advantage…
cut 9 (07) “…United States”
Stokes was set to qualify in last year’s State Treasurer’s Race, but withdrew when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Because of consitutional concerns, the House has significantly changed a bill that attempts to allow teachers to participate in student-initiated prayer during the school day. But Ruston Representative Rob Shadion didn’t like the change, he supports the Senate version of the bill that requires each student to get a signed note from a parent, so the teacher can participate in the prayers…
cut 12 (11) “…this amendment”
The bill heads back to the Senate and we’ll see how they handle the significant change to the legislation.

More individuals could be eligible to receive a prescription to medical marijuana once it becomes available later this summer under two pieces of legislation that have received final passage. One of the proposals adds glaucoma, severe muscle spasms, intractable pain P-T-S-D and Parkinson’s. The other provides medicinal canibas as an option for autism patients.

The Governor addressed the 15 week abortion ban and unanimous jury constitutional amendment on his monthly talk show. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Senate approved legislation that extends Harrah’s New Orleans casino’s license for up to 30 years. It also requires the casino to provide an additional 20-million dollars in payments to the state. But some legislators feel rushed in approving it. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue….
cut 15 (06) “…for concern”

The Senate approved a bill that would renew the state’s contract with Harrah’s New Orleans for at least 20 more years, contribute an additional 20 million dollars a year to the state’s coffers, and they would provide an upfront payment of 40-million dollars, which would be divided between the state and the city. Harrah’s would also agree to build a 350-million dollar hotel, with new restaurants and entertainment space. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says if Harrah’s agrees, it’d be a huge investment in the state.
Cut 13 (10) “twenty years”
The measure heads back to the House to see if they agree to Senate changes with the legislation.

Lake Charles-based food delivery service Waitr has been purchased for 308-million dollars by Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta, who also owns the Golden Nugget Casino, Landry’s Restaurant and the Houston Rockets.

The Louisiana legislature has approved legislation that would ban abortions once a woman reaches 15 weeks into her pregnancy. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s pro-life and intends to sign it…
cut 4 (08) “…with me”
The Center for Reproductive Rights says the legislation is a flat-out violation of Roe versus Wade and they expect the proposal will never become law.

State Representative Julie Stokes is the first person to announce her candidacy to become the next Secretary of State. A special election will take place this fall, because of the resignation of Tom Schedler. The accountant from Kenner believes she’s qualified to be Louisiana’s next election chief…
Cut 7 (09) “larger scale”
Stokes says as Secretary of State she will encourage voter participation and protect Louisiana elections.

The Senate agrees to a contract renewal for Harrahs Casino in New Orleans. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

During his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards says he’s waiting for the final language in the Harrah’s bill, before determining whether he’ll sign it….
cut 5 (09) “…the House”

A bill that would have allowed teachers to join students in prayer during school hours was gutted by the House after concerns were raised that it violated religious civil rights. The bill would have allowed the joint prayer to occur if all students present had a signed consent form from their parents. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the old bill would have targeted religious minorities.
Cut 10 (11) “consent form”
The measure goes back to the Senate and we’ll see what the bill’s author, Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti, decides to do with the legislation now that it has been dramatically changed.

The Governor addressed the 15 week abortion ban and unanimous jury constitutional amendment on his monthly talk show. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A bill that would have allowed teachers to pray with students in school has been gutted in the legislature. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (31) I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Senate agrees to a contract renewal for Harrahs Casino in New Orleans. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Governor John Bel Edwards held his monthly talk show, where he touched on a series of legislative topics, such as the 15 week abortion ban, a deal to renew Harrah’s state contract, and the surprise success of a unanimous jury bill. Edwards took the opportunity to reiterate his support for the 15 week abortion ban, a rarity for a prominent Democratic official.

Cut 4  (08) “with me” 

The Governor praised efforts in the Legislature to improve a bill to renew Harrah’s contract, after the initial version came under heavy fire from statewide political officials. He says he’s still undecided on his support.

Cut 5  (09)  “the House”

Governor Edwards’ signature will not be needed on a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous verdicts in felony trials, as the decision for final passage will be left up to the voters in November. Edwards says he hopes the people will put the item into law.

Cut 6 (09) “unanimous jury”

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State Representative Julie Stokes is the first person to announce her candidacy in the race to become the next Secretary of State. A special election will take place this fall, because of the resignation of Tom Schedler. The accountant from Kenner believes she’s qualified to be Louisiana’s next election chief…

Cut 7 (09)  “larger scale”

Stokes says as Secretary of State she will encourage voeter participation and protect Louisiana elections…

Cut 8 (10)  “possible”

The race for Secretary of State is expected to draw a large field. Stokes believes being a female candidate can give her advantage for those seeking more diversity in state government….

Cut 9 (07)  “United States”

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A bill that would have allowed teachers to join students in prayer during school hours was gutted by the House after concerns were raised that it violated religious civil rights. The bill would have allowed the joint prayer to occur if all students present had a signed consent form from their parents. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the old bill would have targeted religious minorities.

Cut 10 (11) “consent form”

Seabaugh proposed the amendment that radically altered the legislation, which now permits teachers to bow their head when students pray.

The Shreveport Republican says the old version of the bill was obviously unconstitutional, and would have led to successful challenges by organizations like the ACLU.

Cut 11 (09) “will win”

But Ruston Representative Robert Shadoin, who sponsored the bill in the House, fiercely contested the amendment that altered the original bill, arguing that establishment clause that protects against state sponsored religious activity could be waived in this case.

Cut 12 (11) “this amendment”

The bill heads back to the Senate.

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The Senate agreed to a bill that would renew Harrah’s contract with the state for twenty more years, contribute 20 million dollars a year to state coffers, build a 350 million dollar hotel, and provide a lump sum payment of tens of millions upfront. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says if Harrah’s agrees, it’d be a huge investment in the state.

Cut 13 (10)  “twenty years” 

The Senate version cut 20 million dollars a year from Harrah’s required payments relative to a committee version.

The bill escaped on a 21-16 vote, with many senators, including Winnfield Senator Gerald Long who said the process moved so fast that no one knew exactly what they were voting for. He says the Senate should’ve delayed the vote until analysts could review the fiscal note.

Two republican legislators admit they were involved in a fist fight early this morning at a downtown Baton Rouge bar. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop and Houma Senator Norby Chabert apologized to their colleagues. Bishop attempted to inject some levity into the awkward subject….
cut 13 (12) “…dueling guns”
Chabert is reportedly upset with Bishop for blocking his legislation in the House Natural Resources Committee. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the altercation makes the legislature look bad at a time when the state is struggling with big issues.
Cut 15 (12) “so many times”

The Governor addressed the 15 week abortion ban and unanimous jury constitutional amendment on his monthly talk show. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The House has gutted a Senate bill that would have allowed teachers to participate in student-initiated prayers during school hours. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabugh says the legislation by Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti would have prompt lawsuits…
cut 11 (08) “…they will win”

A report by Greg Hillburn of the USA Today Network says Houma Senator Norby Chabert and Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop got into a fist fight at a Baton Rouge bar last night, supposedly related to a bill blocked in committee by Bishop. Bishop issued his apology on the House floor.

Cut 12 (09)   “apologize”

Chabert told the USA Today Network that he loves Stuart like a brother and sometimes brothers fight.

Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the severe budget woes, lack of trust, and rising levels of partisanship have are pushing the legislature to the breaking point.

Cut 14 (10)  “of them”

Both Chabert and Bishop are Republicans.

The “Bulletproof Backpack” bill is on its way to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana education officials say the number of high school graduates entering college each fall has increased by 15 percent since 2012.  State Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn:

Cut 5  (11) “those students”