Lawmakers are barely able to deal with the effects of a special session hangover let alone prep for the regular session. Jim Shannon reports a balanced budget in the regular session looks more like a pipe dream than a reality.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”
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Parents and students alike are worried how they can afford higher education since TOPS funding may be cut back. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.
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With the special legislative session being a memory for some and a nightmare for others, lawmakers are looking ahead to the regular session that starts Monday. The question is how the legislature will react to a highly fractured body after the recent blood-bath. Representative Barry Ivey.
Cut 3 (:11) “that we serve.”
Ivy says he can’t see any scenario during the upcoming session that passes a budget.
Cut 4 (11) “more difficult.”
Kenner Representative Julie stokes also is suffering the effects of a brutal special session that she also fears will bleed over to the regular session.
Cut 5 (07 ) “is respect.”
She says it’s time to reach out to the radical’s to reign in both sides.
Cut 6 (11) “this situation.”
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Now that the special session concluded without a solution to fill a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall in July, TOPS funding could be cut by 80-percent. There are nearly 48-thousand TOPS students. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says many parents can’t afford to send their kids to college without some financial help. Those college prospects are looking elsewhere to get their education…
Cut 7 (11) “students leaving.”
Governor Edwards has hinted at calling another special session at the end of the regular session to continue to find a way to cover the loss of one-billion-dollars. Rallo says legislators will need to consider funding both TOPS and higher education. One can’t go without the other…
Cut 8 (10) “faculty members.”
Rallo says if funding for Higher Education and TOPS is wiped out, it will hurt more than just the students, their families and faculty. It could cripple the state’s economy…
Cut 9 (12) “it deserves.”
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So what happens now that the legislature wasn’t able to come to any agreement on solving the fiscal cliff? Governor John Bel Edwards doubts legislators can pass a budget for next fiscal year in the regular session, so another special session is likely…
Cut 10 (11) “June 4th.”
But Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is optimistic they can pass a budget in the regular session, because the state can do more to reduce its spending
Cut 11 (10) “they want”
The state is facing a billion dollar shortfall, but Louisiana will receive an additional 300-million dollars in state tax revenues, because of changes made as a result of the federal tax overhaul. Edwards says even with the extra revenue deep cuts will be needed and there will be more urgency to raise revenue in a special session that he hopes will begin in May…
Cut 12 (11) “this year”
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Livingston Parish deputies have charged 27-year-old Chad Horsley with a hate crime. The Denham Springs man is accused of targeting a Muslim owned convenience store, while impersonating an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy. He allegedly caused thousands of dollars of damage by attempting to steal the store’s ATM machine. Sheriff Jason Ard says Horsley also accused the owner of engaging in illegal activities.
Cut 13 (10) “search warrant”
Ard says his office later received a call from someone who says they witnessed the crime, but…
Cut 14 (09) “doing it”
Ard says after being confronted with evidence, Horsley cooperated and admitted he picked that store for a reason.
Cut 15 (11) “that nature”
Along with charges of hate crimes, Horsley was booked on simple criminal damage, criminal mischief, and false impersonation of a peace officer and is being held on a 56,000 dollar bond.