A House-backed bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship will be heard in the Senate education committee today. Emelie Gunn reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Senate committee defers two bills seeking to protect confederate monuments after 5 hours of emotional testimony. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax died without a vote. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The state Department of Insurance is reminding policyholders to make sure they are fully covered as the hurricane season begins today. Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is a time to go over all policies, especially property insurance. He says know what your coverages are and what is not covered.

Cut 4  (06) “hurricane deductible”

Most hurricane deductibles typically run two to five percent of the insured property value. Donelon also advises homeowners to prepare to file a claim.

Cut 5  (10)  “valuables”

Donelon says every corner of the state has experienced flooding events in the last 18 months, so now is the time to purchase flood insurance, if you don’t have it already. He says there is no time to wait when it comes to getting your home covered by flood insurance.

Cut 6 (10) “to effect”

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A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship will be heard in Senate education today. Currently, students have to earn a minimum of 2.5 GPA on their high school core curriculum to qualify. State Representative Franklin Foil’s bill would raise that to 2.75 for students who start in the 9th grade this fall. He says the program needs to be tightened up…:

Cut 7 (09)  “higher GPA”

Foil says nobody wants to see any student excluded from receiving the award…:

Cut 8 (07) “asking for”

The measure could be in trouble in the Senate which has already approved a proposal to create a task force that studies the impacts of changing the program in any way. Foil believes the bill has a good chance of making it through the process…:

Cut 9 (09)  “as well”

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After five hours of heated debate, a Senate committee rejected two proposals aimed at protecting confederate monuments. One measure would require a public vote to remove military monuments, while the other requires legislative approval. There was steep opposition from black lawmakers, including Senator Troy Carter, who notes there are no statues celebrating Adolph Hitler.

Cut 10 (12) “a commemoration”

One woman was so passionate she drove from Florida to make her case. Jenna Burnstein gave an emotional testimony, pleading with lawmakers to protect memorials to those who fought in the Civil War. She adds it’s not fair to compare Civil War generals to Hitler.

Cut 11 (10) “not on my watch”

Burnstein went back and forth with the committee chairwoman, New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson. Burnstein pointed out that people of other races were also enslaved and that some blacks even owned slaves. She became emotional at the thought of more monuments coming down.

Cut 12 (10) “no you don’t”

Peterson says men who fought to enslave people should not be revered in public space. She says they should not be celebrated as Americans because they were from the Confederate States of America. She reminded supporters of the measure that the Civil War ended centuries ago.

Cut 13 (10) “is over”

Both measures were deferred with a 4-2 vote.

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A proposed gas tax hike was killed without a vote on the House floor, but there was still ample discussion about the attempt to raise millions of dollars to improve roads. State Representative Steve Carter expressed his frustration with his own party, who actively fought the legislation. He also criticized an out of state anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity, who lobbied against it.

Cut 14 (09) “our problems”

Carter says he didn’t bring the bill up for a vote, because the 70 voted needed were not there. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she speaks on behalf of her constituents. She says they don’t trust that the money would go towards transportation infrastructure, and they don’t want a gas tax increase.

Cut 15 (09) “a gas tax” 2x

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh also opposed the increase. He says he was lobbied on this bill by a lot by members of his own party, but the people who elected him asked him to vote against it. He says he won’t turn his back on his constituents.

Cut 16 (08)  “gas tax”

Carter says we need to find a way to fix the state’s decrepit roadways, and we need to do it soon. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says even business leaders in her community backed the proposal. She hopes this discussion is not over yet.

Cut 17 (09)  “in a call”

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LSU is considered a huge favorite to beat Texas Southern on Friday in the opening game of the Baton Rouge Regional. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the SWAC champs are not very strong on the mound…

Cut 18 (12)    “over eight”  

Moran says third-seeded Rice has a very good reliever in Glenn Otto, who has struck out 78 in 56.2 innings. But he says the Owls might not have enough starting pitching….

Cut 19 (10)   “keep it going”

Southeastern Louisiana is the 2nd seed. It’s the highest seed the Lions have ever had in program history. Moran says S-L-U will not be an easy out in this regional…

Cut 20 (18)   “as LSU”

The House approves a proposal to allow drug felons to receive food stamps. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A Senate-backed measure to change the name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts to the Jimmy D. Long Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts clears a House panel. Emelie Gunn reports:

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Drug felons would be eligible for food stamps for the first time in decades under a House-approved measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno. In the 1990s offenders with drug related charges were barred from the assistance program, while all other felons remained eligible. Moreno says all but six states have lifted these restrictions because they don’t make sense anymore.

Cut 3 (09) “for success”

Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant says drug offenders have the highest recidivism rate of any criminals. That’s why the former sheriff proposed an amendment to require them to submit to routine drug tests in order to receive food stamps. He says we need safeguards to ensure the money is being spent as it should be.

Cut 4  (10) “most of em are”

Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says there’s no study to show that drug felons will use their benefits to buy drugs. She says these offenders should not be treated differently than others because it could hurt their chances of transitioning back into the community.

Cut 5  (10)  “so much”

The amended measure passed in the House on a 77-17 vote.

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The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is not happy the Humane Society of Louisiana sent out a release about a dog that was killed after being dragged behind a pickup truck. Captain Daniel Seuzeneau says before deputies were notified about this incident, the photo of the man involved was shared feverously across social media.

Cut 6 (10) “accurate”

Seuzeneau reminds the public that if information doesn’t come from an official law enforcement source, be cautious before posting. He says the man involved has been identified and is fully cooperating with authorities.

Cut 7 (09)  “right now”

Seuzeneau says they are currently interviewing the man, witnesses and have sent the dog off for a necropsy. He says they are in the process of conducting a fair and unbiased investigation.

Cut 8 (11) “it works”

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Two bills are heading to the Governor’s desk that seek to close loopholes in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. One measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno adds dating partners to the laws. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says current laws don’t offer the same protections to couples who do not have children or live together. She says these victims need protection under the law.

Cut 9 (07)  “were killed”

Another measure by Marrero Representative Patrick Connick includes same-sex partners in domestic violence laws. Wineski says previously, Louisiana was one of only two states that excluded same-sex couples from these statutes. She says closing this loophole can save lives.

Cut 10 (11) “domestic abusers”

Wineski says previously abusers of same-sex or dating partners could not be charged under domestic violence laws. She says that means they could only be charged with something like simple battery, which doesn’t carry the same penalty as a domestic violence offense. She says now all domestic abusers will face the same penalties.

Cut 11 (09) “into the law”

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A measure to change the name of the Louisiana School of Math, Science and Arts to the Jimmy D. Long Louisiana School of Math, Science and Arts passed on a 5 to 2 vote in the House Education Committee. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says his bill by no means diminishes the contributions of the great men and women that have graduated from LSMSA.

Cut 12 (07) “made”

Thompson says the Senate backed measure is not changing the name but creating an addition to honor the man who founded the school. Many LSMSA graduates are concerned this will affect the chances of students being accepted into prestigious universities. Thompson says this will not change the school’s brand.

Cut 13 (11) “naming”

President of the LSMSA School Alumni Association Jamie Smith says this bill was filed out of emotion after the untimely death of Jimmy Long. He says there are other ways to honor the remarkable man, like naming a new dorm after him.

Cut 14 (11) “for us”

Smith says alumni and people involved with the school will be hurt if the name is changed without their input. He says stakeholders are overwhelmingly against the bill.

Cut 15 (11) “and money”

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