A third special session of 2018 begins on Monday, several state agencies and higher education are facing cuts, if more revenue is not raised. District attorneys are looking at an 82-percent cut in state funding, which is very concerning to Louisiana District Attorneys Association executive director Pete Adams…
cut 6 (09) “…this is just reality”
Adams says if the cuts go through, prosecutors will see salaries slashed, forcing many to find work elsewhere.

Tuition at schools within the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not see an increase in tuition for the upcoming school year, despite the potential of higher education receiving a 96-million dollar cut. L-C-T-C-S President Monty Sullivan says while they will not raise tuition, there will be an impact to his system if the cuts go through…
cut 8 (10) “…no doubt”
A special session to raise revenue begins Monday.

Legislation approved in the regular session has created a new savings account program that resembles Louisiana START. Louisiana START allows families to begin saving for their child’s college education. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there’s now Start K12, which allows families to save money for K-12 education expenses…
cut 12 (12) “…START account”
For more information contact the state’s office of student financial assistance.

US Attorney David Joseph who represents the Western District of Louisiana is pleased to announce his office has added two violent crime prosecutors…
cut 13 (11) “…cover the whole district”
Joseph says one of the prosecutors is from the state Attorney General’s office and that person will handle firearm and drug indictments in the Monroe area.

Heading into next week’s special session many agencies across the state are facing budget cuts. District attorneys are not exempt from these cutbacks, and it looks like they could be quite steep to the tune of 82 percent if additional funding is not found. Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association Pete Adams says the financial slash will be overwhelming.
Cut 4 (06) “…such a drastic cut.”
Adams says if salaries get cut, D-As will see prosecutors leave their office.

Despite a budget that calls for deep cuts to higher ed, the Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not raise tuition or fees for the 2018-19 school year, continuing a two-year trend of keeping costs stable for students. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the state cannot continue to place the cost of education on the backs of students.
Cut 7 (09) “workforce”

The state has a new savings program that parents can use to help pay for K-through-12 tuition. It’s called Start K-12 and parents can direct their employer to desposit a share of their paycheck directly into the account. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says families are allowed to withdraw no more than 10-thousand dollars per tax year…
cut 11 (12) “…any taxes”
For more information contact the state’s office of student financial assistance.

Special night for US Representative Steve Scalise last night in the Congressional charity baseball game. On the one year anniversary of his shooting, he fieled a ground ball at second base and threw to first for the first out of the game.

Heading into next week’s special session many agencies across the state are facing budget cuts.  District attorneys are not exempt and it looks like they could be quite steep to the tune of 82 percent if additional funding is not found. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (25)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

_____________________________________________________

Louisiana Community Colleges will not be raising tuition rates next academic year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________________________________

Over the past several years, the violent crime rate on a national level has gone up, and Louisiana is no exception to that.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_______________________________________________

Heading into next week’s special session many agencies across the state are facing budget cuts.  District attorneys are not exempt from these cutbacks, and it looks like they could be quite steep to the tune of 82 percent if additional funding is not found.  Executive Director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association Pete Adams says the financial slash will be overwhelming.

Cut 4  (06) “…such a drastic cut.”

Recently, the Louisiana Department of Corrections warned that unless additional tax revenue is raised by June 30th, thousands of inmates will be released.  Adams says budget cuts to DAs could add to that.

Cut 5  (12)  “…uptick in crime.”

Adams says this is an issue that needs to be taken very seriously as it is a matter of public safety.

Cut 6 (09) “…this is just reality.”

__________________________________________

Despite a budget that calls for deep cuts to higher ed, The Louisiana Community and Technical College System will not be raising tuition or fees for the 2018, 2019 school years, continuing a two year trend of keeping costs stable for students. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the state cannot continue to place the cost of education on the backs of students.

Cut 7 (09)  “workforce”

Higher ed is on the block for tens of millions in cuts, and TOPS is staring at a 30 percent reduction if additional revenue is not approved in the upcoming special session. Sullivan says if the budget stands as is, a lot of services would have to be scaled back.

Cut 8 (10)  “no doubt.”

Sullivan says it doesn’t make any sense to cut higher ed to save the budget, because higher ed is responsible for producing the workforce that will grow the economy.

Cut 9 (10)  “state goverment.”

______________________________________________

Parents who are interested in saving up for their kids K through 12 education now have the option of a state backed, interest accruing, and federal tax free savings account as a result of a new law signed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil, who authored the law, says there are limits on where you can use the money.

Cut 10 (09)   “the state.”

The program is called START K12. Parents are only allowed to withdraw 10,000 dollars per year, per child, from the account, which should cover the costs of many private and public lab schools.

Cut 11 (12) “any taxes”

Foil says this isn’t playing the stock market, this is a safe, secured option to generate some interest and save some tax money on your child’s education.

Cut 12 (12) “START account”

The program closely resembles Louisiana START, which allows families to begin saving for their child’s college education.

______________________________________________

Over the past several years, the violent crime rate on a national level has gone up, and Louisiana is no exception to that.  US Attorney David Joseph says his district was in need of additional help.

Cut 13 (11)  “…cover the whole district” 

Joseph still thought even more help was needed, so he called in a favor to Attorney General Landry.

The search is on for the man with a missing finger that was found in a St. Tammany turtle. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The pastor of St. Peter Church in Morrow has turned himself into St. Landry Parish Sherriffs, and has allegedly confessed to sexual abuse involving a minor.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Steven Michael Guidry was forthcoming with information.

Cut 4  (09) “…on a juvenile.”

Two Arkansas men who plead guilty to aggravated animal cruelty charges for slitting a dog’s throat and posting the video on Snapchat avoid jail time in Morehouse Parish. Judge Carl Sharp gave Boots Stanley and Stevan Sadler a suspended three-year prison sentence. Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson can’t believe they are not going to jail.

 cut 9 (11)  “cruelty statutes”

Former Jindal Administration staffers are calling on the House to pass the half cent sales tax renewal that would fully fund state government, Former Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater says both Jindal and Edwards’ administrations failed to get the legislature to bite on long term tax reform that would end the cycle of fiscal cliffs, so this is our best temporary bet.

Cut 13 (12) “do it.” 

both Jindal and Edwards’ administrations failed to get the legislature to bite on long term tax reform that would end the cycle of fiscal cliffs.

Cut 13 (12) “do it.” 

Former Jindal Administration staffers are calling on the House to pass the half cent sales tax renewal that would fully fund state government, and avoid cuts to programs like TOPS. Former Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater says failing to pass the revenue bill would harm the most vulnerable people in the state.

Cut 12 (08)   “afford it”

Rainwater coauthored an editorial with former Jindal Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield.

Many legislators have credited the current fiscal crisis to fiscal mismanagement during the Jindal years, where one time money was often used to fill budget holes, and deep cuts were enacted on higher education. Rainwater says long term tax reform has a long history of failure.

Cut 13 (12) “do it.” 

Parents who are interested in saving up for their kids K through 12 education now have the option of a state backed, interest accruing, and federal tax free savings account as a result of a new law signed by Governor Edwards. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil, who sponsored the law as a bill, says there are limits on where you can use the money.

Cut 21, 9 seconds, the state

Is program is called START K12.

Parents are only allowed to withdraw 10,000 dollars per year, per child, from the account, which should cover the costs of many private and public lab schools.

Cut 22, 12 seconds, any taxes

Foil says this is a safe, secured option to generate some interest and save some tax money on your child’s education, that closely resembles Louisiana START, which allows families to begin saving for their child’s college education.

Former Jindal Administration staffers are calling on the House to pass the half cent sales tax renewal that would fully fund state government, and avoid cuts to programs like TOPS. Former Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater says failing to pass the revenue bill would harm the most vulnerable people in the state.

Cut 12 (08)   “afford it”

Rainwater coauthored an editorial with former Jindal Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield.

A Bush man who was gifted a giant alligator snapping turtle for some home cooking got more than he bargained for, a human finger deep inside the reptile. St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Scott Lee says cadaver sniffing dogs are on the case, but it’s certainly possible the creature could’ve just grabbed a snack from an unlucky angler.

Cut 7 (08)  “hundred pounds.”

A 75-year-old priest has confessed to sexual misconduct with a minor. According to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, Father Steven Michael Guidry has surrendered to authorities. The sheriff says the priest was forthcoming with information about the incident.

Cut 4  (09) “…on a juvenile.”

Two Arkansas men who plead guilty to aggravated animal cruelty charges for slitting a dog’s throat and posting the video on Snapchat avoid jail time in Morehouse Parish. Judge Carl Sharp gave Boots Stanley and Stevan Sadler a suspended three-year prison sentence. Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says community service is a slap on the wrist compared to the suffering inflicted on that dog…

Cut 11 (06) “means nothing”

A 75 year old priest who is in the business of taking confessions is now making a confession of his own… to law enforcement.  According to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, Father Steven Michael Guidry has surrendered to authorities following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
Cut 3 (09) “…with his attorney”

The priest has been on administrative leave since word first surfaced of the investigation.  He led St. Peter Church in Morrow.

A Bush man who was gifted a giant alligator snapping turtle for some home cooking got more than he bargained for, a human finger deep inside the reptile. St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Scott Lee says they’ve reached out to local hospitals to see if any cases of turtle related accidents fit, and so far, no luck.

Cut 6 (07)  “accident”

Efforts to obtain a fingerprint failed.

Two Arkansas men who plead guilty to aggravated animal cruelty charges for slitting a dog’s throat and posting the video on Snapchat avoid jail time in Morehouse Parish. Judge Carl Sharp gave Boots Stanley and Stevan Sadler a suspended three-year prison sentence. Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says the sentence was judicial malpractice…
Cut 10 (08) “wrong profession”

Former Jindal Administration staffers are calling on the House to pass the half cent sales tax renewal that would fully fund state government, and avoid cuts to programs like TOPS. Former Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater says failing to pass the revenue bill would harm the most vulnerable people in the state.  Some have criticized the former Commissioner’s for coming out in support for the half cent sales tax renewal, considering the Jindal Administration’s fiscal legacy and support for wide tax cuts. Rainwater isn’t buying it.
Cut 14 (11)  “to do”