Negotiations have begun this week in advance of next week’s special session, with parties involved hoping to get a deal in place before Monday to avoid another dramatic last second finish to what will be the last session of the fiscal year. Senate President John Alario says after two special sessions, he’s more and more legislators leaning towards a deal that would fully fund state services.

Cut 4  (11) “the table”

Without additional revenue, the current budget would require large cuts to state services, including a 30 percent cut to TOPS.

Small business optimism has reached its highest level in 34 years.  That’s according to the National Federation of Independent Business, NFIB state director Dawn Starns they are now hoping for tax reform in Louisiana as lawmakers consider what to do with the state sales tax, which is currently at 5%.

Cut 7 (03)  “..help everybody.”

Two Acadiana men are under arrest in connection to the murder of a St. Martinville teenager. Twenty-five-year-old Brandon Boutte of St. Martinville was charged with Obstruction of Justice and Second Degree Murder in the death of 19-year-old Simone Robin. St. Martin Parish Sherriff’s Spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says Robin’s trailer was set on fire Saturday, and her body was found later that day on a levee in St. Landry.

Cut 9 (10)  “their parish.”

Starting in September, travelers through Baton Rouge Metro Airport can expect more destination options with the addition of Via Airlines.  The airline, which has been in business for over a decade, will now provide direct service to Austin, Texas and Orlando, Florida.  Airport spokesperson Jim Caldwell says service will fly on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, as they expect a high demand for business travel to the capital city of the lone star state.

Cut 14 (09)  “…great weekend destination.”

US Senator John Kennedy isn’t happy with John Bel Edwards, and is calling on the governor to step down due to his handling of the state’s fiscal cliff. Kennedy, who is reportedly readying up a run for the Governor’s Mansion, says the legislature’s inability to find a long term solution to the budget crisis come down to a lack of leadership from Edwards. The Republican called for the Lt. Governor to take over the state.

Cut 4  (06) “at it.”

Kennedy says the Governor has allowed the state budget to balloon, despite a lagging local economy.

Cut 5  (10)  “care costs.”

The Administration responded, saying “He hasn’t passed a single bill since being elected to the Senate, but has an infinite amount of time to do media interviews. We could ask him to step down for being the most ineffective member of Congress, but then he’d run for every political office under the sun.”

Unless the Legislature approves additional revenue, TOPS will suffer a 30 percent reduction. Taylor Foundation Executive Director Dr. James Caillier says we’re already losing students to the uncertainty.

Cut 13 (11)  “and brightest” 

That 30 percent reduction would result in the average LSU student with TOPS graduating nearly 14,000 dollars more in debt.

And legislators are hoping to craft a deal before the session starts on Monday:

Small business optimism has reached its highest level in 34 years. That’s according to the National Federation of Independent Business, who surveys its members regularly. NFIB state director Dawn Starns credits federal tax reform legislation…
Cut 6 (11) “…at the end of the year.”
Starns says Louisiana small businesses are anxious to see what state legislators will do with the sales tax rate. Right now it’s set to go down from 5 to four percent on July 1st, but it’s possible legislators will renew a portion of the expiring one-cent sales tax to fill budget holes.

WWL-TV in New Orleans captured video of a cement truck in New Orleans getting stuck in a sinkhole in the French Quarter. That cement truck was apparently on the scene to fix the sink hole. Another truck was called in to pull the truck out of the hole.

Two Acadiana men have been arrested in connection with the death of a 19-year-old girl in St. Martinville. Simone Robin’s body was found in St. Landry Parish on Saturday, but Major Ginny Higgins, with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says…
cut 11 (06) “…several days”
Robin’s trailer was also set on fire Saturday. Brandon Boutte and Toby Boutte are the two men who have been arrested.

Those looking for straight flights to Orlando and Austin, Texas can find them at the Baton Rouge airport starting in September. Florida-based Via Airlines will provide that service. Airport spokesperson Jim Caldwell says it’s great news for those looking for direct flights to Disney World and it might also bring in some tourists from Texas….
cut 13 (10) “….bring people here”
The non-stop flights will start on September 13th

Negotiations are underway in advance of next week’s special session, with legislators hoping to reach a deal in principle on a tax plan that could stave off major cuts to state programs, like TOPS….
cut 3 (10) “….both sides”
That’s Senate President John Alario who says the discussion is centering around a plan to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax.

Starting in September, Baton Rouge Airport will offer nonstop flights to Orlando, Florida and Austin, Texas. Airport spokesperson Jim Caldwell says Florida-based Via Airlines will operate flights to Orlando on Monday and Thursdays….
cut 12 (11) “…on a quality airline”
Austin service will fly Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Small business optimism is at its highest level in 34 years and second highest level in the 45-year history of the National Federation of Independent Business Survey. The NFIB report found that small businesses report high numbers in several key areas, including compensation, profits and sales trends. Nineteen-percent of small business owners also plan on price increases. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says that’s the signal of a strong economy…
cut 8 (12) “…with doing business.”
The percentage of owners reporting capital outlays moved up one point to 62-percent.

The popular area LSU area restaurant Chimes will get a major face lift this summer. A second-floor outdoor bar and dining area will be added to the iconic restaurant located just outside the LSU North Gate. The renovations means the restaurant will be closed for three weeks. Chimes has been a hangout for LSU students and Baton Rouge residents for over 25 years.

House and Senate leaders have already met once this week and more meetings are expected before the start of Monday’s special session. Senate President John Alario says the goal is to try and reach a deal in principle before the session that begins on a tax plan that will reduce budget cuts…
cut 4 (11) “…off the table”
Governor John Edwards is pushing legislators to approve a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax to make up for the loss of 648-million dollars in revenues.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s office has made another arrest in the weekend brawl along the West Pearl River that resulted in the death of 46-year-old Jeffery Howell of Pearl River. 20-year-old Blaine Manalle of Slidell was booked last night on a charge of second-degree murder. 21-year-old Cameron Alphonso is also facing a second-degree murder charge. No word on what sparked the fight.

Two Acadiana men have been arrested in connection with the death of a 19-year-old girl in St. Martinville. Simone Robin’s body was found in St. Landry Parish on Saturday, but Major Ginny Higgins, with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says…
cut 11 (06) “…several days”
Robin’s trailer was also set on fire Saturday. Brandon Boutte and Toby Boutte are the two men who have been arrested.

Starting in September, travelers can fly direct from the Baton Rouge Aiport to the Magic Kindgom, with the addition of Via Airlines. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Negotiations have begun this week in advance of next week’s special session, with parties involved hoping to get a deal in place before Monday to avoid another dramatic last second finish to what will be the last session of the fiscal year. The half-cent sales tax that came close to passage last session had a six year sunset, but Senate President John Alario says in a perfect world, he’d like to see a permanent tax plan put in place to give the state some fiscal predictability.

Cut 5  (11) “more stable”

The session begins June 18^th.

Small business optimism has reached its highest level in 34 years.  That’s according to the National Federation of Independent Business, who surveys its members regularly. NFIB state director Dawn Starns credits the tax reform legislation approved last December…

Cut 6 (11)  “…at the end of the year.”

Two Acadiana men are under arrest in connection to the murder of a St. Martinville teenager. Twenty-five-year-old Brandon Boutte of St. Martinville was charged with Obstruction of Justice and Second Degree Murder in the death of 19-year-old Simone Robin. St. Martin Parish Sherriff’s Spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says Robin’s trailer was set on fire Saturday, and her body was found later that day on a levee in St. Landry. Higgins says arson investigators discovered the attempt to destroy Robin’s home was not completely successful.

Cut 10 (10) “be determined”

Twenty-two-year-old Toby Boutte was also charged with one count of accessory after the fact of second-degree murder.

And here’s commodities.

Legislators are attempting to work out a deal in principle for a revenue plan before the special session begins on Monday. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

During an event hosted by Washington news organiziation POLITICO, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise quickly answered no when asked if he plans to run for governor next year. The Jefferson Parish Republican is a candidate to replace the retiring Paul Ryan as U-S House Speaker.

Democrat Renee Fontenot Free has entered the Secretary of State’s race, along with Republican state representative Julie Stokes. Free works in the state Attorney General’s office and one of her goals is to increase voter turnout…
cut 16 (11) “”…vote counts”
Republican state representative Julie Stokes also plans to run in the November general election.

Two Acadiana men are under arrest in connection to the murder of a St. Martinville teenager. Brandon Boutte of St. Martinville was charged with Obstruction of Justice and Second Degree Murder in the death of 19-year-old Simone Robin. St. Martin Parish Sherriff’s Spokesperson Major Ginny Higgins says Robin’s trailer was set on fire Saturday, and her body was found later that day on a levee in St. Landry.
Cut 9 (10) “their parish.”
Twenty-two-year-old Toby Boutte of Sunset was charged with accessory after the fact.

Renee Fontentot Free, who is the director of the public protection division in the Attorney General’s office, has announced she’s running for Secretary of State. Democrats have not fared well in statewide elections over the last decade, but Free says her party registration should have no bearing on her qualifications for a non-politicial job…
cut 15 (08) “….be neutral”
Republican State Representative Julie Stokes has also announced her candidacy.

Negotiations are underway in advance of next week’s special session, with legislators hoping to reach a deal in principle on a tax plan that could stave off major cuts to state programs, like TOPS….
cut 3 (10) “….both sides”
That’s Senate President John Alario who says the discussion is centering around a plan to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax.

The last special session revealed a rift in opinion within the Louisiana Republican Party between pro budget cut hardliners, and moderates who support a fully funded budget…
Voicer 2 (31) ” I’m Matt Doyle”

A Eunice man is dead after crashing his vehicle during a high speed chase with police in Jefferson Davis Parish. State Police Sgt James Anderson says it started when Kinder Police attempted to pull over 26-year-old Aaron Charlot for a traffic violation…
cut 9 (04) “…all this”