A small business group is reacting to Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The American Red Cross of Louisiana needs disaster shelter volunteers for national disaster relief efforts focusing on Hurricane Helen’s recovery.  Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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A small business group is reacting to the tax reform plan that Governor Landry outlined in his news conference yesterday. Part of his plan would be to tax services that hadn’t previously been taxed, in an effort to make up for any shortfall caused by lowering or eliminating income taxes. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would present a challenge for small business owners.

Cut 3 (09) “…business sometimes doesn’t.”

Long gives an example of how a small business owner would be affected.

Cut 4 (09) “…deal with that.”

Long says while lowering personal income taxes is certainly a good thing, it shouldn’t be done at the expense of small business owners.

Cut 5 (05) “…small business owners.”

The special session to tackle Landry’s tax reform plan is expected to get underway next month.

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The American Red Cross of Louisiana is urgently seeking volunteers to support emergency shelters for national disaster relief efforts, with a focus on Hurricane Helene’s recovery. Regional CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles says candidates must complete training and commit to a two-week deployment. Those with management, organizational, or supervision skills are encouraged to apply.

Cut 6 (08) “…skills as well.”

St. Charles emphasizes volunteers’ vital role, who comprise 90% of the Red Cross workforce. During disasters, they provide necessities and support services in shelters.

Cut 7 (12) “…in those communities.”

Currently, over 1,000 responders are deployed across 10 states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. St. Charles emphasized more than 2,500 people are in 82 emergency shelters, with needs expected to grow as more areas become accessible.

Cut 8 (12) “…can really help.”

Visit red-cross-dot-org to learn how you can volunteer.

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Governor Landry signs an executive order requesting that the Board of Regents make recommendations on improving free speech on po-secondary public college campuses. In a speech at LSU, Landry says some students feel that they’re not at liberty to freely discuss their beliefs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…with this country.”

Landry noted that at several college campuses across the country, conservative personalities, including Charlie Kirk, Riley Gaines, Allen West and others have been, in his word, cancelled because of their viewpoints – and he says that’s wrong.

Cut 10 (12) “…rather than indoctrinated.”

Landry says his executive order asks the Board of Regents to clearly establish a free speech policy.

Cut 11 (11) “…not consistently changing.”

Landry’s event was held in conjunction with the school’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.

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A major component of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax reform plan is lowering the state’s income tax rate. The highest tax rate in Louisiana is 4.25 percent for workers who earn 50-thousand dollars or more. Landry is proposing a flat three-percent tax for everyone who earns above $12,500

Cut 12 (07) “…income tax.”

Anyone who makes less than $12,500 dollars would not pay any income taxes.

The governor says the state’s ranking with the Tax Foundation is getting worse and if this tax reform plan is approved, it would move Louisiana into the Top 10. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says that will help Louisiana compete with other southern states for jobs

Cut 13 (07) “…this plan.” 

To offset the loss of revenue from lower income taxes, the Landry administration is proposing to expand the sales tax base. Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson says they are looking at several services that are currently not taxed…

Cut 14 (06) “…for example.”

TV Streaming services is another service that could potentially face a state tax under this plan.

A small business group is expressing concern about the effects that Governor Landry’s tax reform plan will have on small businesses. Landry’s plan calls for drastically reducing income taxes and making up for the lost revenue by taxing services like lawn care and pet grooming. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would create an extra burden on those owners.

Cut 5 (05) “…small business owners.”

Currently, the highest income tax rate in Louisiana is 4.25 percent for workers who earn 50-thousand dollars or more. Landry is proposing a flat three-percent tax for everyone who earns above $12,500.

Cut 12 (07) “…income tax.”

Anyone who makes less than $12,500 dollars would not pay any income taxes.

The American Red Cross of Louisiana is urgently seeking volunteers to support emergency shelters for disaster relief efforts, with a focus on Hurricane Helene’s recovery. Regional CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles says volunteers provide necessities and support services in shelters.

Cut 7 (12) “…in those communities.”

Currently, over 1,000 responders are deployed across 10 states, including North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia.

A 16-year-old shot in Natchitoches last week has died. The teen was shot last Tuesday evening in a subdivision. Detectives intercepted a private vehicle rushing the teen to the hospital and drive the teen the rest of the way. Investigators found more than 40 bullet casings at the scene. The shooters left by the time they arrived; and so far, no arrests have been made.

A small business group is reacting to the tax reform plan that Governor Landry outlined in his news conference yesterday. Part of his plan would be to tax services that hadn’t previously been taxed, in an effort to make up for any shortfall caused by lowering or eliminating income taxes. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would present a challenge for small business owners.

Cut 4 (09) “…deal with that.”

Landry, meanwhile, signed an executive order requesting that the Board of Regents make recommendations on improving free speech on po-secondary public college campuses. In a speech at LSU, Landry says some students feel that they’re not at liberty to freely discuss their beliefs.

Cut 9 (12)  “…with this country.”

The American Red Cross of Louisiana needs disaster shelter volunteers for relief efforts focusing on Hurricane Helene’s recovery.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A toddler is among two people killed in a mobile home fire in Catahoula Parish this morning. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says firefighters learned that there were eight people in the home at the time and that a man and the toddler were trapped inside and were unable to escape. Unfortunately, they did not survive. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A small business group is reacting to Governor Landry’s new tax reform that would tax services that hadn’t previously been taxed, in an effort to make up for any shortfall caused by lowering or eliminating income taxes. Leah Long, the state director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi, says that would present a challenge for small business owners.

Cut 3 (09) “…business sometimes doesn’t.”

A special legislative session on tax reform is expected next month.

During a press event on LSU’s campus, Governor Landry was asked about his desire to have a live tiger in Tiger Stadium on game days again. Landry has received push-back from animal rights groups and some veterinarians but he says Tigers in sanctuaries live much better lives that those in the wild.

Cut 11 (09) “…academically and athletically.”

2015 was the last time LSU had its live mascot on the field before a football game.

With the devastation of Hurricane Helene, The American Red Cross of Louisiana is urgently seeking volunteers to support emergency shelters for national disaster relief efforts. Regional CEO Dr. Kenneth St. Charles says candidates must complete training and commit to a two-week deployment. He’s encouraging those with management, organizational, or supervision skills to apply.

Cut 6 (08) “…skills as well.”

St. Charles emphasizes volunteers’ vital role, who comprise 90% of the Red Cross workforce.

The person of interest in the brutal death of Baton Rouge therapist Doctor William Abraham was taken into custody in Texas Tuesday night. Authorities say 20-year-old Terryon Thomas known as Mr. Prada by his Tik Tok followers was apprehended in Dallas and faces extradition back to Louisiana. It’s unclear what role if any Thomas played in Abraham’s death. Abraham’s body was found along a highway wrapped in a tarp in Tangipahoa Parish on Sunday. The coroner’s office says the Doctor Abraham was beaten before he died.

Beginning January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop dramatically from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage, motivated by just one thing.

Cut 15 (10) “…G-R-E-E-D, greed.”

A small business group is reacting to Governor Landry’s tax reform plan. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Publisher of LaPolitics dot com, Jeremy Alfred says though Landry’s fellow Republicans have a supermajority in the legislature, getting this tax reform plan passed is not a foregone conclusion and business groups will have their lobbyists out in full force…

Cut 9 (11)  “…their own turf.”

Governor Landry says he’s calling lawmakers in for a special session in November to debate and approve a tax reform plan that seeks to lower or possibly eliminate personal and corporate income taxes, but several tax breaks would be eliminated and services currently not taxed would be taxed, like streaming services. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford gives his early read…

Cut 7 (13) “….from Governor Jeff Landry”

The tax plan would also need voter approval in March.

Governor Jeff Landry is not backing away from the idea of having a live tiger on the field before LSU football games. It has not been done since the 2015 season when Mike the Sixth was put in a portable cage and placed in front of the visitor’s locker room. During a press event on LSU’s campus, Landry says it’s time to bring the tradition back…

Cut 12 (10) “…clapping

Mike the Seven’s care takers are not in favor of this idea.

The Louisiana Economic Forecast put together by economist Loren Scott projects the state will add 58-thousand jobs over the next two years. Scott says the Shreveport and Monroe areas are ripe for data centers, due to the area’s access to reliable electric power and open space…

Cut 6 (10) …600 new jobs.”

The opening of the first land-based casino in the Bossier-Shreveport market will also bring hundreds of new jobs. Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana is set to open in Bossier City early next year.

Starting January 1st phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage of the inmates and their families.

Cut 13 (13)  “…had somebody incarcerated.”

Governor Landry has unveiled a major tax reform plan, that includes eliminating certain tax breaks and tax incentives to make up for revenue lost due to cuts to personal and business income taxes. Landry will seek legislative approval during a November special session. LAPolitics Weekly Publisher Jeremy Alford says business groups will have their lobbyists out in full force

Cut 9 (11)  “…their own turf.”

During a press event on LSU’s campus, Governor Landry was asked about his desire to have a live tiger in Tiger Stadium on game days again. Landry has received push-back from animal rights groups and some veterinarians but he says Tigers in sanctuaries live much better lives that those in the wild.

Cut 11 (09) “…academically and athletically.”

2015 was the last time LSU had its live mascot on the field before a football game.

 The person of interest in the brutal death of Baton Rouge therapist Doctor William Abraham was taken into custody in Texas. Authorities say 20-year-old Terryon Thomas from Tensas Parish was nabbed in Dallas and faces extradition back to Louisiana. It’s unclear what role if any Thomas played in Abraham’s death. Abraham’s body was found along a highway wrapped in a tarp in Tangipahoa Parish on Sunday. The coroner’s office says the Doctor Abraham was beaten before he died.

Starting January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop dramatically from 25 cents a minute to just six cents. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage, motivated by just one thing.

Cut 15 (10) “…G-R-E-E-D, greed.”

Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, now the challenge begins. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Natchitoches Police Department has made two arrests in connection with the death of a teenager last week on July Street.  17 year old Matthew Daniels was taken to the hospital, where he later died. A 16 year old was arrested in the case on Sunday.  20 year old Alasia Lashay Hamilton was arrested yesterday.  Both are charged with second degree murder.

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Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs in a two year period, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. But Economist Loren Scott says the presidential election could affect that, especially in Lake Charles given the candidates’ contrasting position on fossil fuels and the possibility of regulatory changes.

Cut 5 (08) “…but have not.”

Starting January 1st, thanks to a new federal policy, phone calls to and from Louisiana jails and prisons will drop from 25 cents per minute to six cents per minute. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell welcomes the change, saying sheriffs were taking advantage of the inmates and their families.

Cut 13 (13)  “…had somebody incarcerated.”

Louisiana could see more than 58-thousand new jobs in a two year period, potentially surpassing the 2 million employment mark for the first time. However, the upcoming presidential election will likely affect the economic outlook, according to Economist Loren Scott’s latest Louisiana Economic Forecast…

Cut 4 (10) “…areas of the state.”

Now that Governor Landry has unveiled his tax reform plan, many are wondering if it will pass in the legislature?  Part of Landry’s plan is to eliminate certain tax breaks and tax incentives to make up for revenue lost through cutting personal and business income taxes across the board. LaPolitics Weekly publisher Jeremy Alford  says now Landry’s task getting enough support from lawmakers may be a hard sell.

Cut 8 (09) “…much larger businesses.”

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Governor Jeff Landry is again expressing his desire to see a live Tiger in Tiger Stadium. Colleen Crain has more…

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Baton Rouge police have issued a warrant for a 20 year old man accused of fleeing police in the car of 69 year old Baton Rouge Therapist William Nicholas Abraham, whose body was found wrapped in a tarp along a Tangipahoa parish highway on Sunday.  We’re told Terryon Ismael Thomas was driving the car that backed into a police unit after a traffic stop and fled the scene.  Thomas is considered a person of interest now in Abraham’s death.