The state House has approved a bill that will increase the state sales tax by a penny, from four cents to five cents. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson is the sponsor of the legislation….
cut 28 (09) “…18 months”
It needed 70 votes for approval and 76 House members voted for it.

The sales tax hike is a significant part of Governor John Bel Edwards’ plan to balance the budget as there’s currently a 900-million dollar deficit. If senators agree to a higher sales tax, it would raise an estimated 210-million dollars by June 30th.

The House also approved legislation that makes 101-million dollars in cuts to the current budget, which is 81-million dollars more than what the governor had proposed. K-through-12th grade state funding would be cut by 44-million dollars under the House plan.

Louisiana’s budget instability over the last several years has led Moody’s Investors Service to downgrade the state’s credit rating. The drop in the state’s credit rating will make it more expensive for the state to borrow money for construction projects. Crowley Representative Jack Montoucet reacted to Moody’s decision on the House floor…
cut 29 (09) “…we’re doing”
Montoucet is referring to the work the House did on Thursday in trying to solve the state’s budget crisis.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s disappointing Moody didn’t wait until the conclusion of the special session to make a decision on Louisiana’s credit rating. Edwards says it’s more important than ever for the legislature to work with him to stabilize the budget.

The House voted 76 to 27 in support to raise the state’s sales tax up once cent, to 5 cents. The legislation is headed to the Senate. This is a big win for Governor John Bel Edwards as he’s working to reduce Louisiana’s massive budget deficit. This new tax will tainse over 210 million dollars for this fiscal year.

A new study from AAA shows 87% of drivers engage in risky behaviors while driving. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”
A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Louisiana can enforce a state law requiring doctors preforming abortions to have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says he doesn’t know how the Department of Health and Hospitals will proceed.
CUT 7 (10) “their facilities”

A study finds felons in Louisiana face more employment obstacles that any other state. Allyson Fredericksen, with the Alliance for a Just Society, says many of the restrictions are state laws that keep convicted felons from being hired for certain positions in fields like health care and government offices. She says Louisiana makes it hard for released inmates to get their life back on track…

cut 13 (10)  “daily essentials”

The House has voted 76 to 27 in support to raise Louisiana’s sales tax by a penny. This is a huge victory for Governor John Bel Edwards as part of his plan to balance the state’s budget. The legislation is now on its way to the Senate and is expected to create more than 210 million dollars for this fiscal year.

A new report says Louisiana felons face more job restrictions that in any other state. Michelle Southern has the story…
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany’s PROTECT Act to help the Louisiana seafood industry has been signed by President Barack Obama. Boustany says this legislation can keep illegal crawfish and seafood products produced outside the United States from ever leaving their country of origin.
cut 10 (10) “agencies”

A new study from Triple A finds Eighty-seven percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month. Spokesperson Don Redman says 42% or drivers admit to texting and 70% admit to being on the phone. Redman says driving when you’re sleepy is also unsafe for drivers.
CUT 4 (07) “some rest”

He says in the US about 30 to 40 thousand people die each year in car crashes.

At the state capitol, members of the Louisiana House Representatives are trying to agree on a plan to address the state’s 900-million dollar shortfall this fiscal year and it appears they are making progress. They’ve approved a one-cent increase to the state sales tax and agreed to 101-million dollars in cuts.

A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rules that Louisiana can enforce a state law that requires doctors preforming abortions must have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says this legislation ensures that in an emergency the physician can take the proper steps to protect the health of the woman…
CUT 6 (09) “same standard”
Planned Parenthood says the ruling will force the closure of three out of the four abortion clinics in the state.

A survey from AAA finds 87-percent of respondents admit to at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says a lot of drivers say they’ve recently talked on the cell phone, sent a text message and traveling more than 15 miles over the speed limit…
cut 5 (07) “…impaired driving”

A new report says felons in Louisiana face more employment obstacles that any other state. The average number of job restrictions for felons in the US is 123, but Louisiana has 389. Allyson Fredericksen, with the Alliance for a Just Society, says many of the restrictions are state laws that prevent convicted felons from being hired for certain positions in fields like health care and government offices…
cut 12 (11) “…into society”
Fredericksen says this problem can often lead ex-felons returning to a life of crime to make money.

A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rules that Louisiana can enforce a state law that requires doctors preforming abortions must have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says it’s just common sense that abortion doctors should have admitting privileges…:
CUT 8 (11) “abortions”
The law states that if any abortions are performed by doctors who do not have the required privileges, they will be fined $4000.

We’re still waiting on some more action at the Capitol where lawmakers are taking up tax issues today. House Appropriations approved a bill Wednesday that would cut state funding by $117 million dollars in the current fiscal year, including $44 million for public schools. Today they adopted an amendment saying the $44 million now must be absorbed by the Department of Education.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany’s PROTECT Act to help the Louisiana seafood industry has been signed by President Barack Obama. Boustany says this legislation will give domestic seafood a fair shot at competing against foreign imports who up until now have been able to undercut our producers using illegal practices…:
CUT 9 (10) “our market”
He says if other countries want to sell seafood in the United States, they need to play by our rules.

The wide receiver from Southern University who suffered a major spinal injury during a game against Georgia last year, Devon Gales, has left the hospital in Atlanta will be returning home soon. During a news conference at the University of Georgia’s athletic complex today, an announcement was made about an initiative to raise funds to build a new house for the Gales family in Baton Rouge to accommodate his needs.

The 5th Circuit Court of appeals rules that Louisiana can begin enforcing a law that requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says this is common sense and he’s not sure what the Department of Health and Hospitals will do now…:
CUT 7 (10) “their facilities”
Those who opposed the legislation said it would make it harder for women to get an abortion in Louisiana.

Lawmakers on the House floor have begun what is sure to be a heated day of discussions over tax raising measures the Edwards Administration is pushing to help close the more than $900 million dollar current financial year deficit. Republicans have asked the Governor to change the way government does business so that these budget issues don’t keep popping up. They are interested in pension reform, capital outlay reform and tax reform.

A new study from AAA shows 87% of drivers engage in risky behaviors behind the wheel. Halen Doughty has more…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance launches its “In for 10” campaign to build support for a new Interstate 10 bridge over the Calcasieu River.

Eighty-seven percent of drivers engaged in at least one risky behavior while driving in the past month, according to a new study from AAA. Spokesperson Don Redman says the data is not surprising. He says in the US about 30 to 40 thousand people die each year in car crashes…:
CUT 3 (11) “or impaired”
Redman says distracted driving is the most common risky behavior.

The St. James Parish Coroner has identified the two people who died when tornadoes ripped through an RV Park in Convent. They are 59-year-old David Eugene Swan of Satsuma, Alabama, and 51-year-old Scott Ellis of North Carolina.

Lawmakers have convened on the House Floor as today they get set to take up tax proposals Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing to close the current year massive budget deficit. Under consideration is an increase to the state’s sales tax, higher cigarette and alcohol taxes and fewer tax exemptions for businesses.

A three judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals rules that Louisiana can enforce a state law that requires doctors preforming abortions must have admitting privileges at hospitals within 30 miles. Benjamin Clapper with Louisiana Right to Life says this legislation ensures that in an emergency the physician can take the proper steps to protect the health of the woman…
CUT 6 (09) “same standard”
Planned Parenthood says the ruling will force the closure of three out of the four abortion clinics in the state.

A contractor in Caddo is behind bars for allegedly scamming a 70-year-old victim, according to the sheriff’s office. They say Andre Blaze of Minden allegedly entered into the contract with the elderly resident of Shreveport and was paid $3700 for work that he never performed. Blaze was caught and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center for Residential Contractor Fraud.