Due to the renewal of a partial penny state sales tax and a tax rate drop in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana no longer holds the dubious distinction of the highest sales tax rate when combining the state’s rate and the average local sales tax rate. An economist for the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says that title now belongs to Tennessee.
Cut 4 (10) “…less than Tennessee.”
Drenkard says Louisiana could lower it’s sales tax rate, if it expands the sales tax to services that it currently doesn’t cover, like salons, barbers and veterinary services.

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves says he strongly disagrees with what President Donald Trump had to say when it comes whether Russia meddled in the 2016 US Election. Mr. Trump questioned American intelligence findings after a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Graves says multiple investigations have proved Russia meddled in the US elections and the President should provide additional clarity on the United States relationship with Russia.

The Louisiana Department of Health says they are ending a 25-year waitlist for people with developmental disabilities that are in need of home-based medical support and personal care assistance. L-D-H’s Deputy Secretary, Doctor Mark Thomas, says the new plan prioritizes the needs of people instead of the date they applied for services…
cut 12 (11) “…losing their home place”
Thomas says anyone who has an urgent need for home and community based services gets those vital services much sooner.

Carb rinsing, the spitting out of sports drinks was a popular practice at the just concluded World Cup. But Assistant Professor at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Henry Nuss, has better advice for those looking to achieve peak physical performance…
cut 9 (09) “…better than that”