The new normal of inflationary prices doesn’t seem destined to fade away anytime soon. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana’s study of virtual learning hopes to help create best practices for remote education in the future. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A Constitutional Amendment on Saturday’s ballot – to alter state income taxes – draws support and opposition from interest groups. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Sticker shock is not only an issue while shopping for a vehicle these days, but Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says inflation and the messed up supply chain train is also hitting hard at the grocery store these days.
And, Strain says that’s compared to year-ago prices. He says, for now, the price hikes seen almost everywhere, are the new normal, but suggests prices are expected to reverse course in the long term as the pandemic eases further and supply chain problems are addressed.
Strain says that inflation has really taken a hit on power alternatives and transportation. For example:
As for used car prices, Strain says they are up a whopping 58 percent.
Strain says there are factors involved, also because of inflation and supply chain problems, that are certain to keep food prices higher for a while.
Cut 6 (09) “…this forward, unfortunately.”
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Virtual learning was used as a means to educate students due to COVID, now there’s a call to improve the medium. Even before the pandemic, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana says they were studying how charter schools used virtual learning. PAR Policy Director Steven Procopio says they want to help create best practices for virtual learning.
In the study entitled Louisiana Virtual: Facing the Reality of Online Schooling, Procopio says when they examined high school level charter schools and their virtual learning especially among Black and economically disadvantaged students, it was interesting because the charter schools outperformed state schools.
Cut 8 (10) “..during the pandemic.”
Procopio says PAR is making recommendations for virtual education that should increase transparency, more accurate data on student performance, improved outcomes, and a funding structure to cover the cost of virtual education.
Procopio says they are in favor of educational options but when adding others like virtual learning, BESE needs to make sure standards for quality, accountability, and transparency are set.
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Four amendments to the state Constitution will be decided Saturday. Amendment One would establish a centralized state sales & use tax collection authority, instead of the many local systems we have now. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, urges a yes vote here as a vote for tax reform. She says our current system doesn’t have a mechanism for collecting Internet sales taxes and millions are being left un-collected…:
Cut 10 (11) “…our sales tax over time.”
McVea says Amendment One levels the playing field for small businesses against Big Box and online retailers. Amendment Two on the ballot Saturday is a somewhat complicated tax swap; lowering state income tax rates & setting a cap on the highest brackets. It would also take away the deduction for federal incomes taxes paid. Again McVea says this would benefit small businesses and most individual taxpayers…:
Cut 11 (09) “…with the 21st Century.”
However, the Louisiana Budget Project disagrees on Amendment Two, and urges voters to say “no.” Spokesman Jan Moller says A-2 is being pitched as revenue-neutral, but in reality, it will create bigger state budget deficits…:
Cut 12 (15) “…corporate income taxes.”
Moller says passing A-2 will mean less money to fund state universities, health initiatives for the less fortunate, and more worthwhile endeavors…:
Cut 13 (08) “…of our tax structure.”
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Governor John Bel Edwards will head back to Washington next week in hopes of gaining support for more disaster relief funds for southwest Louisiana. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President, Brian Abshire, appreciates what the governor has achieved thus far, but says the 600-million-dollars in long-term disaster relief doesn’t go far enough.
The area was hit by four major weather events in a year’s time, including Hurricane Laura that came ashore in August 2020.
Abshire on why Calcasieu and other parts of southwest Louisiana need an additional 600-million dollars in disaster relief funding.
Cut 15 (10) “…of our residents.”
Abshire says while things have improved in the area months after the storms, that’s not the case for everyone and every location.
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The Saints could be without running back Alvin Kamara for Sunday’s game at Tennessee. Karma has not practiced the last two days because of a knee injury. 31-year-old Mark Ingram says he’s ready for a full workload…
Ingram had nine carries for 43 yards last Sunday. He’s 20 yards away from breaking the Saints career rushing yards record, which is currently held by Deuce McCallister. Ingram says it would be a blessing to be the Black and Gold’s all-time leading rusher…
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ULM looks to snap a two-game losing streak on Saturday when they host Arkansas State for the Warhawks final home game of the season. After not scoring a touchdown in the second half in a loss to Texas State last Saturday, ULM Coach Terry Bowden wants to see more big plays from his offense…
Arkansas State has just one win on the year, but Bowden says the Red Wolves are not to be taken lightly…