Pending the Governor’s signature, kindergarten will soon be mandatory in Louisiana fall of 2022. Brooke Thorington has more.
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The Legislature gives final passage to a tax reform package that supporters say is a revenue-neutral simplification of personal and business income taxes. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle”
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Beginning fall of 2022 children who are five years old will be required to attend kindergarten in Louisiana as a result of legislation that’s received final legislative passage. Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields says it makes sense to have children learning earlier to get a head start with their education.
Cut 3 (12) “…at five.”
Twelve other states already require kindergarten, and the Bayou State will soon be the thirteenth pending the governor’s signature. The bill did face opposition claiming mandatory kindergarten is an infringement of parental rights. But Fields says they were able to come to an agreement with the legislation.
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Fields, a proponent of early childhood education, says making kindergarten mandatory is the first hurdle in creating more learning opportunities for children.
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The bill goes into effect for the 2022 school year to give school systems ample time to prepare for an increase in students. Children who turn age five by September 30th of the school year will be required to attend kindergarten.
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The Senate gave final legislative passage today to a package of tax reform bills that supporters say will simplify personal income and business taxes.
Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says the business and personal tax changes involve cutting tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal taxes from your state tax liability.
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Voters will have to approve the personal income tax reform proposal at the ballot in the fall. The other changes will require Governor Edwards’ signature.
Erspamer says if approved by voters and the Governor this package will be the most impactful set of tax reforms in decades.
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The package also phases out the franchise tax for many smaller businesses and lowers the franchise tax rate over time for larger companies.
Erspamer says while this tax reform does simplify the state’s tax code significantly, put together it’s not really a tax cut for most people.
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Opponents argue the reforms mostly benefit the state’s wealthiest individuals and corporations.
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Baton Rouge Police arrest two teenagers who they believe fatally shot three people, including a one-year-old on May 31st at an apartment complex. BRPD Sergeant Don Coppola says 19-year-old David Williams and a 15-year-old suspect were taken into custody this morning
Cut 9 (12) “…same charges”
A total of five people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred on Memorial Day. Coppola says this case will still remain open.
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A source tells Louisiana Radio Network the alleged shooters are half-brothers. Their mother is one of the five people arrested as LaToya Coleman allegedly helped her sons evade police.
Coppola credits the public’s assistance for arrests taking place quickly…
Cut 11 (12) “…always do”
The shooting took place in the pool area of Fairway View Apartment. Two miles were shot and killed and the one-year-old victim was caught in the crossfire. No word on what sparked the shooting.
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Live music returns to the historic Preservation Hall in New Orleans tonight. After closing its doors last March due to the pandemic, it’s reopening and on a historic day for the venue, its 60th anniversary. Preservation Hall Creative Director Ben Jaffe says it’s a significant night for not only the city but also the state.
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Jaffee says being closed for 15 months is the longest ever venue’s been silenced in history. Jaffe’s own mother was in the audience on opening night in 1961 and will be in attendance tonight also. He says they’ve received messages from all over the world about tonight’s reopening.
Cut 13 (10) “…sacred space.”
Preservation Hall did hold a handful of webcasts during the pandemic but tonight the shrine to New Orleans Jazz will play to a live audience. Jaffe says they believe it is now safe to open and preserving the health of their musicians is paramount.
Cut 14 (07) “….recovery.”
The intimate venue will hold three shows nightly Thursdays through Sunday, with limited capacity. Guests will have their temperatures taken before entry and face masks are required.