Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Michael Farrar….
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After a tough week of behind the scenes negotiations, the Louisiana House finally mustered the 70 votes needed to approve a sales tax plan that would allow the state to fully fund TOPS, higher education and reduce the cuts to the department of corrections.

The House agreed to renew .45 percent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s budget situation is on a more solid foundation…
cut 30 (18) “…our problem”
The Senate is expected is expected to agree to this sales tax plan and the special session could end Sunday night.

US Senator John Kennedy has attached an amendment to an appropriations bill to keep taxpayer money from going towards first-class airline tickets for federal employees. Kennedy says there’s only two reasons why a federal worker should need a first-class ticket….
cut 9 (10) “…abused”
In a report released last March, EPA Secretary Scott Pruitt allegedly spent 105-thousand dollars on first class flights in his first year on the job.

A Shreveport police Corporal Marcus Hines is on administrative leave after he accidentally fired his department-issued gun while teach two summer interns about gun safety. No one was injured in the incident.

And a Hammond Police officer suffered a gunshot wound to the foot while attempting to load his shotgun into his patrol car. Police Chief James Stewart says the officer dropped the weapon and it went off.

The state House has finally reached a compromise on a sales bill that will fully fund higher education and TOPS next fiscal year. The food stamp progam is no longer on the chopping block as well. The measure that was approved by the house on Friday afternoon will set the state’s sales tax rate at 4.45 percent from July 1st until mid-2025. Democrats pushed for a sales tax rate at 4.5 percent, while many Republicans were seeking 4.4-percent. Governor John Bel Edwards is thrilled the two sides were able to come together…
cut 30 (19) “…foremost”
The tax deal now needs Senate approval. Edwards he expects the upper chamber will approve the House compromise and it’s possible the special session could end Sunday night.

A group called Emerge Louisiana says they have successfully trained 22 women on how to run for political office and they will graduate on Saturday…
Voicer 5 (29) I’m Becca Dill.“

Senator John Kennedy says he’s attached an amendment to an appropriations bill that will end the practice of federal employees flying first class on the taxpayers dime, unless there’s a legitimate medical or security reason…
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A four star quarterback from Alabama announced on Twitter he plans on attending LSU. Peter Parrish’s verbal pledge gives the Tigers 14 commitments for their 2019 class. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Parrish can run a speedy 4.5 in the 40 and scouts say he’s improving as a passer
cut 12 (09) “…offered him.”
Parrish’s verbal pledge follows up the commitment on Wednesday from one of the top cornerbacks in the country, Derek Stingley Junior.

The Saints will open the season by hosting division rival Tampa Bay, but quarterback Jameis Winston may not be on the field. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reprots the NFL is planning on suspending Winston for the first three games of the 2018 season, because of an incident involving an Uber driver in Arizona in 2016.

The Pelicans used their lone draft pick last night to take Penn State Guard Tony Carr, with the 51st overall selection. As a sophomore, Carr averaged nearly 20 points a game and dished out five assists a contest. He’s six-foot five and the Pelicans hope he’s a player that can eventually use his size to get to the rim. Last year he shot 40-percent from the field.

Now the Pelicans turn their attention to free-agency and General Manager Dell Demps says the goal remains for the team to re-sign unrestricted free agents DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo….
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The free agency period begins July 1st.

Former Lousiaina Tech shooting guard Jacobi Boykins will play for the Orlando Magic’s summer league team, which begins play July 6th in Las Vegas.

After a grueling week of behind the scenes negotiations, the full House finally agreed to a sales tax plan that would prevent cuts to higher education, TOPS and the food stamp program. The measure needed 70 votes to pass…
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The proposal heading to the Senate for its approval would set the sales tax rate at 4.45 percent from July 1st to mid 2025. Baton Rouge Representative Paul Davis congratulated the House for coming together
cut 15 (11) ”….their services”
Some public safety programs will see reductions since this sales tax renewal doesn’t cover the entire deficit.

A Slidell couple is in jail facing multiple charges for drugs and dog fighting following an investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office….
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There is more good news for LSU on the football recruiting front, as the Tigers received a verbal commitment from four-star quarterback Peter Parrish. He is ranked as the 11th best dual-threat QB in the 2019 recruiting class. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran say LSU is building depth at a critical position…
cut 13 (12) “…the position”

After a week of difficult negotitions the House has approved legislation that sets Louisiana’s sales tax rate at 4.45 percent after July 1st and that would supply enough revenue to prevent cuts to higher education and the TOPS scholarship program. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis had this message for her colleagues before the critical vote….
cut 14 (12) “…constituents”
The measure needed 70 votes and it got 74.

It now heads to the Senate. Leaders in the upper chamber have a back-up plan in case this sales tax proposal doesn’t make it through the process. They’ve introduced legislation to keep the sales tax rate at 5-percent for up to the next 14 months. Senate President John Alario….
cut 5 (10) “…solution at all”
But for now the Senate will first consider the sales tax bill passed by the House.

US Senator John Kennedy has attached legislation to an appropriations bill that prohibits federal employees from purchasing first class airplane tickets with taxpayer money. Kennedy says in a recent three-year period an extra one-million dollars in taxpayer money went to unnecessary first class tickets…
cut 10 (05) “…will do”
Kennedy believes the amendment will make it to the President’s desk.

A four star quarterback from Alabama announced on Twitter he plans on attending LSU. Peter Parrish’s verbal commitment gives the Tigers 14 commitments for their 2019 class. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Parrish can run a speedy 4.5 in the 40 and scouts say he’s improving as a passer
cut 12 (09) “…offered him.”
Parrish’s verbal pledge follows up the commitment on Wednesday from one of the top cornerbacks in the country, Derek Stingley Junior.

Still waiting to see if the House has reached a deal on renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax to prevent deep cuts in higher education, TOPS and other state progams.

The Tax Foundation says Louisiana lawmakers should not rely on Thursday’s US Supreme Court decision to bail them out of their fiscal mess. The decision from the nation’s highest court allows states to collect taxes on purchases made through a business that doesn’t have a physical presence in that state. Tax Foundation’s John Buhl says Louisiana will first have to make changes to its complex sales tax laws, before they are able to cash in…
cut 8 (08) “….start to ramp up”

The LSU football program has received a verbal commitment from a four-star quarterback out of Alabama. Peter Parrish is ranked as the 11th best dual-threat QB in the 2019 recruiting cycle according to 24-7 sports.

US Senator John Kennedy has attached an amendment to an appropriations bill to keep taxpayer money from going towards first-class airline tickets for federal employees. Kennedy says there’s only two reasons why a federal worker should receive a taxpayer funded first-class ticket….
cut 9 (10) “…abused”
In a report released last March, EPA Secretary Scott Pruitt allegedly spent 105-thousand dollars on first class flights in his first year on the job.

The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has dropped below $2.60, but get ready for an increase at the pump. That’s according to AAA’s Don Redman says the supply of fuel is dwindling and demand for gas is getting ready to skyrocket….
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Redman says gasoline prices to increse by at least five to ten cents over the next couple of weeks.

Senate leaders have proposed a way for cuts not to occur if the fiscal cliff arrives without a sales bill passing in this third special session. Jeff Palermo has more

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The Louisiana House does continue to struggle to reach an agreement on renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax that’s needed in order to avoid cuts to state services. A proposal to renew half a cent failed last night, just 10 votes short of the 70 votes needed for passage to the Senate. The third special session will wrap up by Wednesday with the fiscal cliff arriving June 30^th.

The statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.59, which is a few cents lower than last week. But AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redmond anticipates the price at the pump to go up…
Cut 10 (13) “…going back up.”
He says the increase could be anywhere from five to ten-cents.

The U-S House has passed a Farm Bill that contains stricter requirements for food stamps. Republican Ralph Abraham says able bodied adults would have to either work or participate in a job training program for 20 hours per week to remain eligible for food stamps…
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The Senate still has to sign off on this controversial change.

The Louisiana House is struggling to reach an agreement on renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax that’s needed in order to avoid cuts to state services. A proposal to renew half a cent failed by 10 votes last night. So does the most recent vote come off as a failure? LA-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says not necessarily…
cut 15 (12) “…wait and see”
Alford says the governor and Democrats prefer the half-a-cent sales tax renewal, while Republicans are digging in at four-tenths of a cent.

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A Slidell couple is in jail facing multiple charges for drugs and dog fighting following an investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on the residence of the Michael Ratcliff and Antinette Johnson, finding cocaine, marijuana & pills.  Animal Services seized fifteen dogs from the property.  Seven children were also present in the home.

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A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 7PM tonight for a large portion of north and central Louisiana.  Ouachita, Tansas, East Carroll, Morehouse, and Webster are among the parishes in the watch box.

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While the Senate is continuing to wait on passage from the House for a solution to the upcoming fiscal cliff, Senate President John Alario says a “plan b” has been set in place in the event a gridlock continues through the close of the special session.  Alario says this is definitely not an ultimate fix to the budget issue and it would likely just continue the tax debate into the future.

Cut 5 (11) “…permanent solution at all.”

Discussions behind the scenes continue in the Louisiana House as the lower chamber is unable to agree on a sales tax bill that would replace some of the revenue that’s set to fall off the books on June 30th. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards and Democrats are seeking to renew a half-a-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax, but Republicans support a point-four-percent renewal, which would result in cuts to the state budget…..
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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee has sent a resolution to the full Senate that would suspend the expiration of the one-cent sales tax for 14 months. Senate President John Alario says it’s a back up plan, if a sales tax renewal bill is not approved by the House….
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That one-cent is set to expire June 30th.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states will now be able to collect sales taxes from online sales. The ruling gives states the authority to receive sales tax revenues on purchases made by consumers with a business that has no physical presence in that state. However, Tax Foundation spokesperson John Buhl says Louisiana’s sales tax laws are too complex for them to take advantage of this ruling…
Cut 6 (07) “…anytime soon.”
A graduation ceremony will take place tomorrow night in New Orleans for 22 women who have been trained by Emerge Louisiana so they can run for political office. Executive Director Melanie Oubre tells us what these future candidates learned during their 70 hours of training….
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Oubre says two members of their inaugural training class will run for an office this fall, while the others are gearing up next year when state legislative races are on the ballot.