Another long day of debate over a new congressional map; and despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the Republican-led legislature is poised to pass a map with one majority-minority district. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
____________________________________________
Inspection stickers in Louisiana are now one gubernatorial signature away from disappearing for good. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
____________________________________________
Despite four-dollar-plus gasoline prices, a record 45-million American plan on traveling this Memorial Day weekend. Joe Gallinaro has the story.
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”
______________________________________________
Despite strong opposition from Black lawmakers, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a Congressional map with one majority-minority district. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris’ measure would most likely result in five Republicans and one Democrat representing Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives, upsetting Black lawmakers who want two majority-minority districts.
Cut 4 (11) “…white or Black.”
Morris says the Supreme Court said in its ruling that struck down the current congressional map that race should not be the primary factor in drawing district lines, but partisanship can be a factor.
Baton Rouge Senator Denise Marcelle asked Morris why Republicans should determine who represents the state in Congress, when only a third of the voters are registered Republican.
Cut 5 (11) “…Republicans in Congress.”
If the map approved by House Governmental Affairs becomes law, the state will go from having a four-two map to a five-one map. Marcelle says having a congressional map where a Democrat can win only one of the six districts is unfair, considering a third of the state’s population is Black.
Cut 6 (08) “…egregious to me.”
New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd accused Morris of promoting a map that would assure that five white Republicans make up six of the state’s U-S House members.
Cut 7 (12) “…they’re white Republicans”
The map was amended during committee discussion that changes some of the political boundaries; so if it’s approved by the full House, the measure will go back to the State Senate for approval of House changes.
_________________________________________________________________
A Senate committee approves a budget that takes into account a revenue shortfall of 104-million dollars. Senate Finance Chairman Glen Womack says the fewer dollars available is the result of the Revenue Estimating Conference adopting a revenue forecast that is less robust than previously predicted. Womack says this means additional dollars for school vouchers and education operation costs had to be cut.
Cut 8 (11) “…increases in MFP.”
But Womack says the K-through-12 education funding formula is fully funded, and there are 420-million dollars for early childhood education. Womack says Senate Finance has also decided to dip into the rainy day fund to provide additional funds for economic development and improved highways.
Cut 9 (09) “…to 400-million.”
The Senate Finance’s spending plan contains raises for prison guards, but not for teachers. And there is no money to fund the two-thousand dollar stipend teachers received this year.
The full Senate is expected to debate the budget bill on Tuesday and then send it back to the House to see if they agree with the changes. The legislative session must end at 6 p-m on June 1st.
_________________________________________________________________
The end of inspection stickers in Louisiana is now just Governor Landry’s expected signature away from becoming official, as House Bill 1085 has achieved final legislative passage. The author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says that ten-dollar inspection sticker will be replaced with a six-dollar QR code that you place on your windshield.
Cut 10 (05) “…color, I think.”
And that information can only be read by special equipment available to law enforcement. If a civilian scans that QR code with a cell phone, that person will get nothing. Bagley says he had brought up this bill in the past, and service station owners had fought it, concerned that it would lead to a drop in business.
Cut 11 (10) “…was all over.”
Bagley disagrees with the notion that service stations made a lot of money through vehicle inspections.
Cut 12 (08) “…ever answer that.”
Assuming Landry signs the bill like he said he would, you will no longer have to renew your inspection sticker as of January 1st of next year.
_________________________________________________________________
Despite gasoline prices over four dollars a gallon, a record 39-million people will travel by car to a destination 50 miles or more this Memorial Day weekend. Triple-A’s Don Redman says a little pain at the pump will not keep people from having a good time this weekend.
Cut 13 (05) “…for Memorial Day.”
Triple-A projects 3.6-million Americans will travel by air this weekend, which is a slight increase over last year. Redman says a popular destination for Louisiana residents is Alaska.
Cut 14 (10) “…popular starting now.”
Redman says if gas prices remain high, it will cut into the family budget and that could lead to some adjustments to summer vacations.
Cut 15 (13) “…for the summer.”
__________________________________________
Former Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron is back on LSU’s staff as the special assistant to recruiting and defense. Orgeron has not coached since 2021, when he was fired by LSU. WWL Radio’s Mike Detillier says Orgeron is known as one of the best defensive line coaches in college football.
Cut 16 (12) “…period of time.”
Detillier says Orgeron will also help Kiffin recruit Louisiana high school kids.
Cut 17 (09) “…who he is.”
Orgeron’s contract is for 100-thousand dollars through January 2027.
_______________________________________________________
The LSU softball team will face Alabama in a super regional series showdown that will start in Tuscaloosa tonight. ‘Bama is the top seed in the NCAA Tournament, and Tigers Coach Beth Torina says they are certainly worthy of it.
Cut 18 (17) “…sorts at all.”
LSU is making its 11th NCAA Super Regional Appearance, and they are playing their best softball of the season, winning 12 of its last 15. The offense has come around, led by Jalia Lassiter, Kylee Edwards and Sierra Daniel. Torina says they had a feeling this group would hit.
Cut 19 (17) “…it to do.”
__________________________________________________
LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson can begin preparing for next season, now that the Tigers have been eliminated from the SEC Tournament, and there’s no chance they will play in the NCAA Tournament. Johnson says they have to learn from what went wrong this year.
Cut 20 (17) “…so we can.”