The state Board of Ethics opposes legislation signed by Governor Edwards that removes the cap on how much money candidates can receive from PACs. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s in favor of a four-day override veto session after Governor Edwards vetoed a bill that bans transgender athletes from competing on girls sports teams. But it’s unclear if the support is there in the Senate to hold one. If a majority of Senators or House members say no, the veto session is canceled.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed the bills associated with a tax reform plan that will lower individual income tax rates, but take away a tax break that allows taxpayers to deduct the federal income taxes paid on their state income tax forms. But before the plan goes into effect, voters have to approve a constitutional amendment on the October ballot. Tax expert Jason DeCuir says the amendment should make sense to voters who learn about it for the first time at the voting booth…
cut 6 (09) “….understand”

St. Tammany Parish voters will decide whether a riverboat casino will be built in Slidell. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says Peninsula Pacific Entertainment is proposing to invest 325-million dollars. Masingill says revenues from the casino resort will go towards flood protection and a new regional sports complex…
cut 15 (11) “…east St. Tammany”

An attorney for Ronald Greene, a black man who died while in State Police custody following a police chase in north Louisiana in May of 2019, says federal authorities are investigating whether there’s a pattern of racist abuses within State Police. There are cases of State Troopers from Troop F beating up Black motorists.

Governor Edwards has signed the complicated tax swap plan approved by the Legislature, but voters will have the final say on the entire plan in October…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested a Covington-area woman who allegedly tried to hire four teenagers to kill her former girlfriend’s new boyfriend. Captain Scott Lee says 20-year-old Mykia Tyson drove the teens to the home where her former girlfriend’s new boyfriend was located…
cut 12 (11) “….in LaCombe
Lee says one of the teenagers got cold feet and fired shots at the home instead. No one was injured and Tyson and the four teens face criminal charges.

The developer of a proposed new riverboat casino in Slidell promises the casino will employ nearly one thousand people once it’s in operation. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says 50-percent of those workers will come from St. Tammany Parish…
cut 16 (08) “…with benefits”
Voters in St. Tammany will decide in October if they want the casino.

Governor Edwards approves the complicated tax swap plan approved by the Legislature this year but voters will have the final say on the entire plan this fall at the ballot box. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

_______________________________

The state Board of Ethics opposes legislation signed by Governor Edwards that removes the cap on how much money candidates can receive from PACs. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Before St. Tammany voters have even approved the casino, investors have increased their investment by $75-million for a total of $325-million. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

____________________________________

Governor Edwards OK’d the Legislature’s tax swap proposal that removes the ability to deduct federal income taxes in exchange for lower overall income tax rates for businesses and individuals.

Tax expert Jason DeCuir says voters will have a chance to weigh in on the issue in the fall, but only through an amendment involving a part of the reform…

Cut 4 (07) “…percent.”

The rest of the tax swap plan, three legislatively approved bills, were signed by the Governor.

DeCuir says the entire tax swap plan was constructed so that if this narrow amendment fails at the October ballot, none of the proposal will take effect.

Cut 5  (09) “…law.”

DeCuir says this amendment and tax swap plan should make sense even to voters who learn about it for the first time in the ballot box.

Cut 6 (09) “…understand.”

Voters will also have another tax-related amendment to consider, that being one that would move the state away from a decentralized sales tax collection system and to a centralized sales tax collection system. The state is one of only two that still has a decentralized collection system.

___________________________

Governor Edwards signs legislation removing the cap on the amount of money candidates in state elections can receive from political action committees.

Gonzales Senator Ed Price says his legislation was about transparency because it allows candidates to consolidate the number of PACs they form to receive donations, making the money easier to track.

Cut 7 (07) “…search.”

The removal of the contribution cap will go into effect on August 1^st.

The bill was opposed by the State Board of Ethics. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says removing the previous caps could result in a campaigns becoming a lot more expensive…

Cut 8 (11) “…eyebrows.”

The previous caps for contributions to a candidate from PACs were $80,000 for major offices, $60,000 for district offices, and $20,000 for smaller offices per the AP.

Erwin says there are real concerns that this new law could drastically increase the amount of influence out-of-state actors have on in-state politics.

Cut 9 (11) “…elections.”

Price disagrees with that criticism. He says under the old capped system candidates still functionally could receive unlimited amounts of money.

Cut 10 (07) “…happening.”

The bill had overwhelming support from both the House and Senate during the session.

__________________

A Covington-area woman and four teenagers have been arrested in a murder-for-hire scheme in an effort to take out her romantic rival. St Tammany Sheriff’s Spokesperson Captain Scott Lee says 20-year-old Mykia Tyson was initially arrested on unrelated charges when they learned of her involvement with a shooting at a Lacombe house on June 5th.

Cut 11 (10) “…new boyfriend.”

19-year-old Delester Magee was one of the teens solicited along with a 17-year old and two 16-year olds. Lee says Tyson drove the four teens to the home where her former girlfriend’s new boyfriend was located.

Cut 12 (11) “…in Lacombe.” 

Authorities say at the last minute Magee got cold feet about committing murder but instead fired shots at the residence. He’s charged with criminal conspiracy and aggravated criminal damage to property.

Tyson remains behind bars facing solicitation for murder, contributing to the delinquency of minors and additional charges.

Cut 13 (09) “…custodial agreement.”

No one was physically injured in the shooting.

__________________

Before the proposed Slidell casino has even gone before St. Tammany Parish voters, Peninsula Pacific Entertainment announces they plan to invest even more than initially proposed to the casino site. St. Tammany Corporation CEO Chris Masingill says a $75-million investment alone is pretty significant.

Cut 14 (10) “…hear that.”

Masingill says P2E has made historic economic commitments to the area,  for example, a five percent of gaming share revenue to the area, which is the highest negotiated rate in the state’s history.

Cut 15 (11)“…east St. Tammany.”

P2E has also made a 50-percent guarantee to hire St. Tammany Parish residents. Masingill says jobs will run the gamut from hospitality to casino operations and IT.

Cut 16 (08) “…with benefits.”

P2E estimates nearly 1,000 direct jobs during the operation of the casino. If approved by voters, the venue would open in the first quarter of 2023.

Governor Edwards has signed into law oversight for Title IX policies on college campuses, legislation that was a reaction to mishandlings of sexual misconduct at LSU. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Gov. Edwards has also signed significant pieces of a complicated tax plan to distance the state’s income tax collections from federal collections. But for the legislation to be enacted, it must receive voter approval on the October ballot.

The House Speaker backs calling lawmakers back to Baton Rouge for a veto override session to undo the Governor’s rejection of legislation that would ban transgender athletes from playing on girls’ sports school teams. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says there’s a high level of public support for overturning the veto.

Cut 5  (12) “…otherwise” 

In his veto message, Edwards called the legislation discriminatory.

Starting next June the only lifetime sportsman’s license you’ll be able to buy is a 500 dollar combination hunting and fishing license. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says that’s not a bad thing because the combo license gives you every recreational hunting and fishing license privilege with gear fees included.

Cut 7 (12) “…can hunt.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder voices support for calling a veto override session to overturn the Governor’s veto of legislation that would transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams. State lawmakers will receive ballots in the mail during the first week of July asking whether they want a veto session. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says if one chamber votes against it, the veto session is canceled…

Cut 4 (09) “…tough call”

Governor Edwards has signed into law legislation providing more oversight for Title IX Offices on college campuses. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s legislation bans retaliation against those who report allegations and requires detailed published reports from campuses on how they handle Title IX complaints.

Cut 10 (06) “…closely.”

The new law also allows colleges to fire employees for failure to report allegations.

Starting June 1^st of next year 300 dollar individual lifetime hunting and fishing licenses will be phased out but sportsmen will still be able to buy a 500 dollar combination lifetime hunting and fishing license. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says this change has some sportsmen under the false impression that all lifetime licenses are going away.

Cut 6 (10) “…clear up.”

Current lifetime license holders will be grandfathered in.

Ragin Cajuns head football coach Billy Napier is receiving a contract extension that will pay him two million dollars, nearly double what he made last year.  This extension comes on the heels of a 10-1 record in 2020 and ranked 15th in the final AP poll. The Voice of the Cajuns Jay Walker says this contract is well-earned.

Cut 12 (07) “…should be (x2)”

Now that Governor Edwards has vetoed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which would prohibit transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams, will we see a veto session? Political consultant Lionel Rainey says House Speaker Clay Schexnayder supports a veto session.

Cut 3 (10) “…big, big sign”

Both chambers must agree to return for a veto session.

Governor Edwards has signed into law legislation providing more oversight for Title IX Offices on college campuses. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s legislation closes loopholes found in previous campus safety policies and now allows for employees who fail to report sexual misconduct to be terminated.

Cut 9 (12) “…available.”

Starting June 1^st of next year 300-dollar individual lifetime hunting and fishing licenses will be phased out but sportsmen will still be able to buy a 500-dollar combination lifetime hunting and fishing license. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says current lifetime license holders will be grandfathered in.

Cut 8 (09) “…consolidated.”

Ragin Cajuns head football coach Billy Napier is receiving a contract extension that will pay him two million dollars, nearly double what he made last year. The 41-year-old has been considered for coaching jobs in the SEC, but Voice of the Cajuns Jay Walker says Napier is happy in Lafayette and the Cajuns are in store for another great season…

Cut 14 (12) “…this year ” 

In three seasons, Napier has a 28-11 record.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder supports the idea of a veto session after Governor Edwards vetoed a bill that would ban transgender athletes from participating in female sports. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

____________________________________

Governor Edwards has signed into law oversight for Title IX policies on college campuses, legislation that was a reaction to mishandlings of sexual misconduct at LSU. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

______________________________________

Now that Governor Edwards has vetoed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which would prohibit transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams, will we see a veto session? Political consultant Lionel Rainey says House Speaker Clay Schexnayder supports a veto session

Cut 3 (10) “…big, big sign”

The Legislature has never a held veto override session. State lawmakers will receive mail ballots during the first week of July asking whether they want a veto session. Rainey says if one chamber votes against it, the veto session is canceled…

Cut 4 (09) “…tough call”

In Edwards’s veto announcement, he said a ban on transgender athletes in girls sports is discrimination and the bill was a solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist in Louisiana. But Rainey says there’s strong public support for this legislation…

Cut 5  (12) “…otherwise” 

Governor Edwards is also expected to veto another bill that received strong support in the Legislature. That legislation would do away with the need of a concealed carry permit in order to carry a concealed handgun.

___________________________

Starting June 1^st of next year 300 dollar individual lifetime hunting and fishing licenses will be phased out but sportsmen will still be able to buy a 500 dollar combination lifetime hunting and fishing license.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says this change has some sportsmen under the false impression that all lifetime licenses are going away.

Cut 6 (10) “…clear up.”

McClinton touts the benefits of the combination lifetime hunting and fishing license saying it gives you every recreational hunting and fishing license privilege with gear fees included.

Cut 7 (12) “…can hunt.”

Current lifetime license holders will be grandfathered in.

Cut 8 (09) “…consolidated.”

_____________________________

Governor Edwards has signed into law legislation providing more oversight for Title IX Offices on college campuses. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s legislation closes loopholes found in previous campus safety policies and now allows for employees who fail to report sexual misconduct to be terminated.

Cut 9 (12) “…available.”

The law also calls for new training requirements and details when employees must report complaints or incidents they witness. It also bans retaliation against those who report allegations and requires detailed published reports from campuses on how they handle Title IX complaints.

Cut 10 (06) “…closely.”

Mizell says the passage of the unanimous legislation proves that lawmakers are gravely concerned about the safety of students on college campuses and wanted to enforce changes as soon as possible, especially after the LSU Title IX scandal.

Cut  11 (09) “…proud of.” 

Female lawmakers held hours of hearings to go through the Husch Blackwell report of LSU’s violations and heard from students who said their abuse went unaddressed. Mizell says it was testimony from those students who helped detail the legislation.

_________________________________________________

Ragin Cajuns head football coach Billy Napier is receiving a contract extension that will pay him two-million dollars, nearly double what he made last year.  This extension comes on the heels of a 10-1 record in 2020 and ranked 15th in the final AP poll. The Voice of the Cajuns Jay Walker says this contract is well-earned.

Cut 12 (12) “…this past year”

While two million might seem like a lot of money for UL- Lafayette to pay for a football coach, Walker says most of the money will come from the Ragin Cajuns Athletic Foundation.

Cut 13 (10) “…whatever they want”

In three seasons, Napier has a 28-11 record. The 41-year-old has been considered for coaching jobs in the SEC, but Walker says Napier is happy in Lafayette and the Cajuns are in store for another great season…

Cut 14 (12) “…this year ” 

The House Speaker backs calling lawmakers back to Baton Rouge for a veto override session to undo the Governor’s rejection of legislation that would ban transgender athletes from playing on girls’ sports school teams. Political consultant Lionel Rainey says there’s a high level of public support for overturning the veto.

Cut 5  (12) “…otherwise” 

In his veto message, Edwards called the legislation discriminatory.

Ragin Cajuns head football coach Billy Napier is receiving a contract extension that will pay him two million dollars, nearly double what he made last year. The Voice of the Cajuns Jay Walker says most of the money will come from the Ragin Cajuns Athletic Foundation.

Cut 13 (10) “…whatever they want”

Starting next June the only lifetime sportsman’s license you’ll be able to buy is a 500 dollar combination hunting and fishing license. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says that’s not a bad thing because the combo license gives you every recreational hunting and fishing license privilege with gear fees included.

Cut 7 (12) “…can hunt.”

Governor Edwards signs the session’s major college Title Nine reform bill. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says passage of her bill proves that lawmakers are gravely concerned about the safety of students on college campuses and wanted to enforce changes as soon as possible, especially after the Husch Blackwell report…

Cut  11 (09) “…proud of.” 

The bill closes loopholes found in previous campus safety policies and now allows for employees who fail to report sexual misconduct to be terminated.