A torrential downpour is flooding northern Louisiana as the storm has already dumped half a foot of water, and officials say it isn’t over yet. Halen Doughty has more…
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”
================
The governor has signed into law a bill to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes from 86-cents to $1.08. But not everyone thinks this is enough. Emelie Gunn has more…
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”
===================
Numerous homes in north Louisiana are under water as the result of a colossal storm that has dumped over a half a foot of rain. Bill Davis, with the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, says as flood waters rose during the night, they began evacuating people….
CUT 3 (07) “the waters”
Davis says schools and government offices are closed today. He says the sheriff’s office has teamed up with the Wildlife and Fisheries office to use their boats for rescues.
CUT 4 (08) “as well”
Ouachita parish is also getting hit hard by the storm. Glenn Springfield with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office says evacuations are underway throughout the parish.
CUT 5 (07) “rising water”
Springfield says people should avoid driving today if possible. Many roads have been closed because of high waters. He says the storm isn’t showing signs of letting up anytime soon.
CUT 6 (10) “get worse”
============================
There is only a few hours left in the special session called to address the state’s massive budget deficit. Speaker of the House Taylor Barras urged House members to come together on a deal to prevent big cuts to higher education and healthcare.
CUT 7 (10) “leave here”
Barras says there are three bills that need to pass today, one dealing with budget cuts, another that would increase the state’s sales tax, and the other would alter tax exemptions. He says this will not be easy but they must take action.
CUT 8 (10) “next year”
Barras urges his fellow House members to come together so they can explain to the people of Louisiana that they’ve accomplished what they were asked to do.
CUT 9 (10) “direction”
============================
Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law the bill that increases the cigarette tax. Beginning April 1st the tax on a pack of cigarettes will be $1.08 rather than 86-cents, which will generate 11-million dollars in revenue for the state this fiscal year. Consultant with the Invest in a Healthy Louisiana Campaign Randy Hayden says he was disappointed that the tax wasn’t increased more…
cut 10 (10) “health outcomes”
Hayden says the legislature should’ve increased the tax on all tobacco products not just cigarettes. He says millions of dollars have been left on the table.
Cut 11 (10) “opportunity”
Hayden says there was no possibility that the legislature could over tax cigarettes during this session to where it could hurt revenue. He says when states increase the cigarette tax they are increasing revenue, while decreasing health care costs in the future.
cut 12 (10) “wayside”
===========================================================
Cleco has asked state regulators for another hearing on the utility company’s proposed sale to a foreign investment group for almost $5 billion. Public Service Commission chairman Clyde Holloway says he is not in favor of another hearing.
Cut 13 (04) “the rehearing”
Cleco’s attorney says the commission’s vote was flawed because it wrongly decided on the merits of the transaction. Holloway says the commission and an administrative law judge has already heard enough testimony from the company.
cut 14 (06) “my ratepayers”
Holloway says he is concerned about a tax scheme related to the deal that would allow the investors to pocket taxes collected from the monthly rates. He also has suspicions about the future of the company and its customers.
cut 15 (07) “very much”
Cleco issued a statement saying another hearing would allow them to address incorrect statements made during the previous meeting and explain why the transaction is in the best interest of the public. Holloway says he is does not trust the company’s statements at this point.
===========================================================