The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill because she says sports betting can destroy families. But Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that can happen now and the state gets no benefit from it, because it’s not regulated
The sports betting bill has already been approved by the Senate.
Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado. Edwards says unfortunately because of bureaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive
A 30-year license extension for the Harrah’s land-based casino in New Orleans heads to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing a Senate committee. The deal features tens of millions of dollars in payments to the state, and calls for 325 million in upgrades to the facility, including a new hotel. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz says it’s a fair deal.
The Senate has advanced a bill to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of four years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18. Bill author Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Colomb, says minimum ages are set in other aspects in life in an effort to protect young people.
Cut 6 (09) “…could live with.”
Opponents say the bill could have religious implications.