At the State Capitol, the House unanimously passes a bill to symbolically do away with slavery in Louisiana, removing it from the state Constitution. Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Edmund Jordan is the measure’s author…:

CUT 09(07)      “…we are good.”

That bill heads to the Senate. If it wins final passage it would go to voters this fall. The bill bans slavery and “involuntary servitude” with the exception of convicts sentenced to hard labor.

A bill aimed at making sure lower income school kids get a good breakfast and lunch – for free – clears a House committee. Marrero Rep Kyle Green says assuring kids are well-fed will result in better education outcomes…:

CUT 13(12)      “…is impossible.”

The bill goes to the House floor next.

At the Capitol, a bill establishing a system to make rape kits more trackable and accountable moves closer to final passage It’s from Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, and has passed the full Senate and two House committees, with its approval from House Appropriations Monday. Ponchatoula Representative Bill wheat tells Mizell he likes her bill…:

CUT 05(08)      “…evidence.”

The bill goes next to the House floor for what could be final passage.

St. John Parish deputies arrested three people they allegedly caught bringing guns – including semi-automatic rifle – to a Pre-K graduation ceremony last Friday. Garyville-Mt. Airy Magnet School was put on lockdown while the man, woman and teen were found and captured. All three have been booked and are awaiting bond. No word yet on why the trio chose to go to a family event so well-armed.

A bill to create accountability for rape kits in Louisiana advances in the legislature…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The man who has overseen the Louisiana State Fair in Shreveport for 17 years is stepping down. General Manager Chris Giordano announced his retirement yesterday. Giordano’s father Sam Giordano led the fair before him. He will exit May 31^st. Robb Brazzel steps up as Interim GM.

Legislation that would provide families adopting a child under the age of three with a $5 thousand tax credit was approved in the House in a 97 to 0 vote. Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says he hopes this will alleviate some of the financial burden for adoptive families…:

CUT 06(12)      “…bill does.”

That bill heads to the Senate.

Another bill moving to the full House is Marrero Rep. Kyle Green’s bill to provide free lunch and breakfast for public school kids already getting them at a reduced rate of 70-cents a day. Green says a well-nourished kid is a better student…:

CUT 12(09)      “…able to pay.”

Cost to taxpayers: about $850-k a year. It passes committee and goes up for House vote next.

After numerous stories of rape kits getting lost and the backlog of processing Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell decided to make the system more accountable with legislation to create a tracking system for the kits. 40 other states already have protocols in place to track rape kits.

Cut 4 (08)  “…for that point.” 

The bill has passed in the Senate and heads to the full House for final passage.

Legislation to provide families adopting a child under the age of three with a $5 thousand tax credit passed in the House. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmond’s bill prohibits the tax credit from applying to the adoption of a child from foster care and a taxpayer from claiming the credit and claiming the deduction.

Cut 8 (07)  “…the other.” 

The bill heads to the Senate.

The House unanimously approves a bill to symbolically abolish slavery in Louisiana. Louisiana voters rejected a similar proposal last year but Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan asked them to reject it because the amendment’s language was confusing. He says the language is clearer this year.

Cut 10 (04) “…needs to be.”

Slavery was abolished in the US in 1865. But more than 150 years later, states are banning involuntary servitude and slavery in their state constitutions.

Legislation to provide free breakfast and lunch for K-12 students who are eligible for reduced-priced meals advances in House Appropriations. Marrero Representative Kyle Green says students who qualify for reduced-priced meals have to pay $14 per month, the bill removes the copay. If approved, it would go into effect for the 2023-2024 school year.

A bill that would establish a database system so rape victims can follow where their kits are in the process was passed in the Senate. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the tracking system would provide accountability with the rape kits.

Cut 3 (10) “…rape kit.”

The bill has passed in the Senate and heads to the full House for final passage.

A bill that would provide a $5 thousand tax credit to families adopting a child under the age of three was approved by a full House in a 97 to 0 vote. Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says it’s about helping families help children.

Cut 7 (08)  “…lives forever.” 

Under the legislation, if the $5,000 credit exceeds the adoptive family’s tax liability, the state would give the family the balance of that money the year the adoption takes place. The bill heads to the Senate.

The state House has unanimously approved a bill that would symbolically abolish slavery in Louisiana. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan’s legislation would add language to the state’s constitution that would abolish slavery and involuntary servitude forever…

Cut 9 (07) “…we are good.”

Jordan’s measure heads to the Senate for its approval. Since it’s a constitutional amendment, it will also need voter approval.

While the restaurant industry is still recovering from the effects of the COVID pandemic,  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says eateries, like every other industry, have had to endure record inflation, supply-chain issues, and shortages.

Cut 5 (06)   “…coming due.”

And even though some restaurants have closed since the pandemic, Harris says there are new ventures that opened their doors.

The Louisiana House approves a constitutional amendment that would symbolically abolish slavery. Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865. But more than 150 years later, states are banning involuntary servitude and slavery in their state constitutions. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan…
Cut 11 (15) “…to slavery.”
Jordan’s legislation will need approval from the Senate and voters.

Legislation to phase out the corporate franchise tax continues to make its way through the legislative process. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says the tax hinders the state’s ability to attract new businesses…
cut 14 (10) “….has the on the books”
That’s Allain speaking before the House Ways and Means Committee, which sent the legislation to the House floor for more discussion.

It wasn’t too long ago when Louisiana’s signature restaurant industry was struggling to stay in business when the pandemic turned things upside down. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) …“Brooke Thorington.”

For the second consecutive year, LSU’s Dylan Crews has been named the SEC Player of the Year. The junior leads the SEC in hitting with a .423 average. And Paul Skenes has been named SEC Pitcher of the year. He leads the SEC in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. LSU will begin play in the SEC Tournament tomorrow morning.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff deputies continue to investigate a Sunday night mass shooting at a street party in Thibodaux where seven people were shot and two others injured trying to escape the gunfire. Sheriff Craig Webre…

Cut 12 (08)    “…following up.” 
Webre says there were as many people as 500 people in the crowd when at least 12 shots rang out within three seconds. Thankfully no one was killed.

Legislation that would provide families adopting a child under the age of three with a $5 thousand tax credit was approved by the full House without objection in a 97 to 0 vote. Bill author, Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says he hopes this will alleviate some of the financial burden for adoptive families under this legislation.

Cut 6 (12)  “…bill does.” 

Chris Giordano the longtime general manager of the State Fair of Louisiana has resigned. Giordano has been at the helm for 17 years, and he replaced his father Sam who held the position for more than 30 years. Robb Brazzel has been appointed interim GM.

Two donors made individual $1 million donations towards ULM $2.3 million raised in 24 hours during their first Day of Giving. Teiko Foxx has the story.

Cut 2 (30)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

The restaurant industry has seen improvement since the height of COVID but Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says workforce woes continue to plague restaurants and many full-service dining establishments are now faced with paying the piper.

Cut 5 (06)   “…coming due.”

Harris says eateries, like every other industry, have had to endure record inflation, supply-chain issues, and shortages that haven’t been experienced since WWII.

Two donors made individual $1 million gifts towards a $2.3 million total raised by ULM in 24 hours during their first Day of Giving. ULM Foundation Advancement Officer Cindy Foust says the generosity was overwhelming.

Cut 8 (10) “…big accomplishment.”

The two $1 million gifts were designated to the School of Business and Social Sciences and other monies were designated for different disciplines across campus.

No surprise, but LSU’s Dylan Crews is the SEC Hitter of the Year and Paul Skenes is the Pitcher of the Year. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former West Monroe Mayor Bert Hatten died Monday morning at the age of 96. Hatten served as mayor of Monroe for 12 years. He also worked as a reporter and managing editor for the Monroe Morning World until he left to enter the insurance business. He also owned and published the Ouachita Citizen from 1965 to 1986.