Lawmakers have until 6pm tomorrow to come up with solutions to the massive current year budget deficit, and even bigger shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The debate still hinges on whether more cuts need to be made or revenue raised. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says threats to higher education is hurting enrollment at LSU…:
CUT 9 (08) “out there”
House Republicans kept rejecting tax measures late last night, but did pass a bill that would lower tax cuts that businesses get for utility expenses. A three-year sunset was put on Monroe Representative Jay Morris’ legislation..:
Cut 17 (10) on it”
The House convenes at 10 a.m. and the Senate comes in at 3 p.m.

Louisiana is once again bracing for the possibility of severe weather and with it the potential for flooding. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is slowly moving over the gulf south and this storm is expected to wreak havoc over the South…:
Cut 5 (10) “and tornadoes”
He says the storm will get ramped up tomorrow and into Thursday and advises people to be prepared.

The Mississippi River is rising in South Louisiana again which will lead to twice a week checks of the levees. Ricky Boyett with the Army Corps of Engineers, says the heavy rains this week should not affect the water levels too much. He says the high river isn’t uncommon for this time of year…:
cut 11 (07) “high water season”
He says at this time they don’t anticipate opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway like they had to in January.

The deadline to the end of the special legislative session is fast approaching, and closed door meetings late into Monday night between House Republicans and Governor John Bel Edwards appear to remain heated. The full House did approve one bill yesterday that would reduce tax breaks to businesses on utilities. Republican Metairie lawmaker Cameron Henry told reporters there was no need to pass additional revenue raising measures, which frustrates Democrats, like New Orleans Representative Walt Leger…:
Cut 18 (10) “its needed”
Meanwhile, higher ed leader Joseph Rallo says if lawmakers fail to find funds, big cuts are coming…:
Cut 8 (09) “in TOPS”
The special session must end at 6pm tomorrow.

The Army Corps of Engineers is keeping a close eye on the Mississippi River levees south of Baton Rouge. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Parts of the Southern Plains and northern Gulf Coast are expected to receive excessive rainfall in the coming days. State climatologist Barry Keim says the 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.

Governor John Bel Edwards issued a 48 hour warning at 6pm yesterday, reminding lawmakers that’s how much longer they have in the special session to come up with solutions to fix the current and next fiscal years budget. He says the legislature must approve more revenue generating bils or there will be consquences…:
CUT 19 (07) “of government”
Legislators worked into the late hours of the night with the House only approving a bill that would generate about 20-million dollars for this year’s budget and 110-million for next year’s.

Several inches of rain are expected to fall across the Bayou State over the next several days. State climatologist Barry Keim says flash flooding is possible…:
cut 4 (09) “imagine that”
Many parishes in Louisiana are under a flash flood watch or coastal flood advisory through Thursday.

Higher Ed Commissioner Joseph Rallo says budget concerns are leading to lower enrollment at Louisiana colleges next school year. Halen Doughty has more..:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The Mississippi River is rising in South Louisiana again which will lead to twice a week checks of the levees. Ricky Boyett with the Army Corps of Engineers, says they are preparing for the water to rise even more…:
Cut 10 (10) “a week”

Lawmakers worked deep into the night on coming together on a plan to prevent big cuts to health care and colleges. The House approved a bill that reduces tax cuts businesses receive for utility costs and their equipment purchases. A three-year sunset was put on Monroe Representative Jay Morris’ legislation..:
Cut 17 (10) on it”
This only raised $20 million dollars to fix the current year budget gap and $110 million for the next financial year. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says, without new revenue, it’s possible universities will have to cancel classes and professors receive furlough notices…:
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6pm tomorrow is lawmakers’ deadline.

Many parishes remain under a flash flood watch through late Wednesday/early Thursday as a severe weather system moves through the gulf south. Don Molino reports…:
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The Mississippi River is rising again in south Louisiana, and the US Army Corps of Engineers says they will begin patrolling the levees twice weekly until water levels drop. The National Weather Service forecast has the Mississippi River cresting on March 13th at 13 feet.

The clock is ticking on lawmakers who are trying to come up with a funding plan to close huge budget deficits this fiscal year and next. Governor John Bel Edwards says unfortunately tax increases are necessary to stabilize the state’s budget and avoid deep cuts to higher ed and health care…
cut 8 (11) “….in our history”
Edwards says he wants to see businesses share in the increased tax burden.

The US Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of Michael Wearry, who was sentenced to death in the killing of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver whose body was found near Hammond in 1998. The nation’s highest court said prosecutors failed to disclose evidence that could have helped his defense. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says they plan to re-try Weary…
cut 14 (07) “…we can”

Several flash flood watches are already posted, set to go in effect tomorrow as a large weather system is expected to dump several inches of rain in Louisiana. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, says the rains won’t stop until this weekend…

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Hughes says the heaviest rain should arrive in Louisiana on Wednesday.

Louisiana native Peyton Manning tearfully announced today that, after 18 years in the NFL, he’s decided to hang up his cleats. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning helped evolve the NFL into the passing league it’s become…:

cut 10 (11) “for so long”
In his retirement speech, Manning said he wants to thank the people of New Orleans and south Louisiana because they support their own team, but they also support their own.

Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to close a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo gets an update from the governor….
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The chairman of the House Approrpriations Committee, Cameron Henry, told nola-dot-com that there’s no reason for any more tax bills to be passed by the House. The republican from Jefferson Parish says the House has already approved enough legislation to address the 900-million dollar deficit this current budget year.

The legislature is trying to come up with a funding plan that will prevent significant cuts to public colleges. Higher ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the talk of budget cuts is already having an impact, as professors are leaving Louisiana universities, and prospective educators are deciding to go elsewhere. He says if lawmakers fail to find funds, big cuts are coming…
cut 28 (09) “…in TOPS”
Higher ed leaders have been seen at the Capitol speaking with legislators.

Colfax Representative Terry Brown has filed legislation for the regular session that would require the governor to look over Louisiana’s contracts with the Saints and Pelicans and allow him to renegotiate to reduce state subsidies. Brown says in these tough budget times, state-funding for professional sports teams should be reduced…:
cut 30 (10) “water districts”
Brown says since 2002 the Saints and Pelicans have received about 369 million dollars from the state.

The special session called to address the state’s budget crisis must end on Wednesday. Higher cigarette and alcohol taxes have advanced, and there are also measures on the table to raise the state sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards is hopeful that the House approves legislation today that will call for businesses paying higher taxes…:
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It’s estimated that lawmakers are about 150 to 200 million dollars short of what is needed to fill the budget hole for the fiscal year that ends June 30th.

Louisiana is bracing for a wet work week, with the rain arriving tomorrow. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says northwestern Louisiana may see up to 10 inches of rain. She says a low pressure system will push a lot of moisture into the state…:
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The heaviest rain is expected to move into the area Wednesday and hang around until Friday.

The nation’s high court has overturned a 2002 conviction of a Louisiana death row inmate accused in the death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver whose body was found near Hammond in 1998. The nation’s highest court said prosecutors didn’t turn over evidence in the case that would undermine the conviction of Michael Weary. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says they plan to re-try Weary…:
cut 12 (10) “…at this point”
Perilloux added that the victim’s mother is disappointed with today’s ruling.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning announced his retirement today after 18 seasons in the NFL and two Super Bowl championships. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning’s Super Bowl 50 victory is a fitting way to end his football career…:
CUT 9 (05) “Hall of Fame career”
Manning holds over 20 NFL records.