Does the governor have the votes to pass a tax bill that would renew a half-penny of an expiring one-cent sales tax? It will take 70 votes for the legislation to pass the House and it’s the critical piece of legislation for the upcoming special session that John Bel Edwards has called in the hopes revenue can be raised to stave off cuts across state government. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot voted against the half-penny tax proposal earlier this month and is among several Republicans who want to see government reduced and it starts with state worker pay raises…
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But Shreveport Republican Thomas Carmody supported the half penny, because he says the state is obligated to fund critical programs, like TOPS…
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The special session begins Monday.

Renee Fontentot Free, who is the director of the public protection division in the Attorney General’s office, has announced she’s running for Secretary of State. Democrats have not fared well in statewide elections over the last decade, but Free says her party registration should have no bearing on her qualifications for a non-politicial job…
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It’s an ailment that is causing a serious threat to the deer population, and since January, a feeding ban was enacted in order to minimize the risk of Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, spreading into Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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