Governor John Bel Edwards proposed a budget today that calls for deep cuts in state funding for corrections, healthcare, and higher education including an 80 percent cut to TOPS. Matt Doyle was there…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”
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Crawfish survived last week’s cold snap, but it could mean a delay in the season. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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Governor John Bel Edwards presented what he called his worst-case-scenario budget today, showcasing the impact what a billion dollar loss in state funding would have on state government, The loss is a result of expiring sales taxes. Edwards says he is constitutionally limited to cutting money from two areas…
Cut 3 (12) “an yes TOPs”
The governor is proposing an 80-percent cut in TOPS funding, unless legislators can agree on a long-term tax reform plan in a February special session.
Louisiana requires the governor submit a balanced budget that takes into account projected funding levels. Edwards proposed the budget, but says he doesn’t want it passed…
Cut 4 (09) “looks like”
In response, the governor proposed a tax reform plan to cover 994-million dollars of the budget gap.
The GOP has indicated that they would approach the cliff by reducing spending, while the governor is seeking a revenue neutral tax reform plan. Edwards challenged legislative leaders to publicly present their plan…
Cut 5 (12) “to cut”
The governor claims he has cut 600 million dollars in state general funds since he took office two years ago.
Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt believes more cuts can be made to go along with any kind of tax reform plan…
Cut 6 (10) “our expenses.”
Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the governor’s budget is not factoring in federal tax reform money…
Cut 7 (08) “of revenue”
Edmond says the state could have an additional 200 to 400 million dollars as a result.
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Gas prices are on the rise at a time of the year when prices traditionally go down. Louisiana drivers are paying 2.36 a gallon for regular gasoline, while a month ago, prices were at 2.21 a gallon. Triple A fuel analyst Don Redman says high gas prices at the start of the new year may lead to an increase in prices through 2018…
Cut 8 (04) “remainder of 2018.”
Redman says demand may have been down due to the winter weather, but prices remain high due to a growing economy…
Cut 9 (10) “grow significantly.”
Redman says another reason for the high prices is domestic oil output is surpassing OPEC producing nations…
Cut 10 (05) “at home.”
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A Business Development Advisors study shows military related spending in Louisiana accounts for $7.7 billion in economic output and 77-thousand military related jobs. That includes the seven military bases and the Louisiana National Guard. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says there is a forgotten group that helps to add to the economy, 27-thousand military retirees…
Cut 11 (09) “our economy”
The Trump Administration has made it clear they want to make additions to the nation’s military. Total military spending in Louisiana was 1.52 billion in 2016, the highest since 2012. Pierson says building up the nation’s military could directly impact the state’s economy…
Cut 12 (13) “we can”
With so many military installations being trimmed down or closed altogether, Pierson says it’s important that communication remains open with Congress to keep the military installations in Louisiana operating…
Cut 13 (10) “strong”
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Crawfish season in Louisiana may be slightly delayed this year thanks to last week’s arctic blast, but the good news is that they did survive. Dr. Greg Lutz with the LSU Ag-Center says when it gets extremely cold, crawfish just sit there and can’t move even if they wanted to…:
Cut 14 (12) “walking into the traps”
Lutz says crawfish will be available for Mardi Gras, just not as plentiful and will probably be a little more expensive than normal. He says when the crawfish aren’t moving, it also means they aren’t eating and getting bigger; but in terms of size, farmers had some luck ahead of the cold snaps..:
Cut 15 (11) “not right now”
Lutz says what they are hoping for now is a long stretch of sunny, mild days so that the water in the ponds warms up…:
Cut 16 (04) “pretty quickly”