The special legislative session ends tomorrow, and lawmakers are still trying to close a massive budget hole for this fiscal year, which could mean raising the state sales tax by more than a penny. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James doesn’t think that’s a good idea. James says unfortunately there are House members who would rather pass taxes on the consumer and ignore reducing our corporate tax exemptions.

CUT 4 (07)  “the consumer”

A state senate committee approved legislation that would remove some tax exemptions for businesses, and that measure now heads to the Senate floor. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack argues that businesses and taxpayers should share the burden and each take a “middle of the road” hit. But New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says LABI continues to push bills that lead to higher taxes on consumers but doesn’t result in businesses contributing to the higher tax burden.

Cut 11 (10) “for him”

Multiple flash flood watches are in effect as north and south Louisiana is expecting a huge amount of rain. CS Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says we’ll see heavy downpours throughout the week.

cut 14 (07)  “12 inches”

Ross says Louisiana will experience some storms bringing in high winds and the chance of hail, along with tornadoes.

St. Joseph residents are pleading with the state government to get cleaner water. Garrett Boyte of St. Joseph says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over a decade. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss raising the standards for water in Louisiana.

CUT 7 (12) “secondary standard”

Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.

There’s a push at the state Capitol to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny, something Baton Rouge Representative Ted James objects to….
cut 5 (09) “….right thing”
James says he would like to see businesses pay higher taxes to help cover the 940-million dollar shortfall.

That topic was up for discussion in a senate committee this morning. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack was testifying in favor of a measure to increase the state sales by more than one-cent, when New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson lashed out at Waguespack and claimed he helped create the state’s budget problems when he served in the Bobby Jindal adminsitration…
cut 10 (10) “,…no credibility”
The special session ends tomorrow night.

Much of the western half of the state is under a tornado watch until six PM tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says a strong line of storms is moving into Louisiana from Texas…
cut 16 (04) “….days”
The Storm Prediction Center has much of the state shaded for a slight chance of severe weather tomorrow.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state government for better water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over 10 years. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss upping the minimum standards for water in Louisiana….
cut 7 (12) “…secondary standard”
Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.

Senate democrats, who believe businesses are not paying their fair share of taxes, took out some of their frustrations with the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is one of those lawmakers who is not happy that LABI is pushing legislators to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny…
cut 12 (10) “…we can’t pay anymore”
Waguespack says businesses are already dealing with a horrible economic recession…
cut 13 (08) “….across the board”
A senate committee approved a bill today that would remove a four-cent sales tax that businesses currently do not have to pay. This is all part of the discussion over how the state should address a massive budget shortfall this fiscal year and next.

Parishes on the western side of the state are under a tornado watch until 6 PM tonight. CS Ross, with the national weather service, says a strong system is moving into Louisiana from Texas…
cut 15 (08) “….as well”
There are already reports of power outages in southwest Louisiana as a result of strong winds.

St. Joseph residents are meeting with state officials to get cleaner drinking water in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Lawmakers have until 6 pm on Wednesday to figure out how to solve the state’s budget deficit. Emelie Gunn has more on what’s being proposed in the last days of the special session…

CUT 1 (30)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Meanwhile in the upper chamber a senate committee approved legislation that would reduce sales tax breaks that businesses receive. Democrats on the committee complained that businesses are not doing their fair share to help close the state’s massive budget shortfall. The bill heads to the senate floor and will likely face opposition in the House.

Residents of St. Joseph are lobbying for cleaner water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over 10 years, and it contains elements that are linked to health risks. Boyte says 400 water systems in the state are facing similar issues.

CUT 9 (08) “High flouride” 

Boyte met with Governor John Bel Edwards to discuss upping the minimum standards for water in Louisiana.

Multiple flash flood watches go into effect this afternoon as north and south Louisiana will see some heavy rainfall. CS Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says we’ll see heavy downpours throughout the week.

cut 14 (07)  “12 inches”

Ross says a tornado watch has been posted until 6 o’clock tonight, covering the western parishes of Louisiana.

Senate Democrats went after the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack during a hearing at the state capitol.  New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says LABI continues to push bills that lead to higher taxes on consumers but doesn’t result in businesses contributing to the higher tax burden.

Cut 11 (10) “…pound of flesh”

Governor John Bel Edwards has mentioned he wants to see businesses pay more of the share with increased taxes. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry is pushing an idea to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny and this would impact businesses too. Henry says with the additional increase to the state’s sales tax, businesses would still pay their fair share.

CUT 6 (09) “and businesses”

The special session must end tomorrow night.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state legislators for better water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says manganese is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts and the element has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants. He says the governor is considering proposed legislation to fix Louisiana’s water problems.

CUT 8 “currently do”

St. Tammany parish sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of a man from Abita Springs. Investigators say the case is still pending, including autopsy results, identification of the man and determination of the cause of death.

Here’s a look at commodity prices

Cut Minipig

A state senate committee approves legislation that takes away a significant tax break businesses receive to help pay for utility costs and equipment purchases. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack opposes the idea, but New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says Waguespack helped create the state’s budget problems as a former aide to Governor Bobby Jindal…
cut 10 (10) “….no credibility”
This measure now heads to the Senate floor. It is faces stiff opposition in the House.

In the House, there has been talk of increasing the state sales tax by more than a penny to increase revenue. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry supports the proposal….
CUT 3 (11) “or TOPS”
Democrats oppose this idea.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state government for better water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over 10 years. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss upping the minimum standards for water in Louisiana….
cut 7 (07) “…greater extent”
Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.

Excessive rainfall is expected in Louisiana over the coming days. State climatologist Barry Keim says a massive storm storm will ramp up tomorrow into Thursday and hit Louisiana in waves.:
CUT 6 (08) “next day”
Many parishes are under a flash flood watch starting this afternoon.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a warning notice to lawmakers reminding them of what could happen if the legislature fails to raise enough revenue to fund health and public colleges….
cut 19 (09) “…government”
The special session that was called to deal with a budget crisis must end Wednesday night. House Republicans are seeking to raise the state’s sales tax by more than a penny as a way to generate more revenue. But Democrats oppose that idea.

With only two days left in the special legislative session, Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo is concerned about the possibility of universities cancelling classes and professors receiving furlough notices…
cut 7 (10) “…to be doing”

Flash flood warnings are in effect across much of Louisiana today as a severe weather system moves through the gulf south. Don Molino reports…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Don Molino”

The Mississippi River is rising in South Louisiana again which will lead to twice a week checks of the levees. Ricky Boyett is with the Army Corps of Engineers…
Cut 10 (10) “a week”
But Boyett says there are no plans to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway for this high water event.