The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO, saving customers billions over the next quarter century. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“
_____________________________________________________
Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…
Cut 2 (31) ” I’m Connor Ferrill”
____________________________________________________
Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
_______________________________________________
US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…
Cut 4 (08) “….into the economy”
Abraham says now there is money for the project but it will also take state dollars to get it done…
Cut 5 (11) “…finish line”
Abraham believes he can get congressional approval for this project because of the expansion would provide bases like Fort Polk and Beauregard with quicker and easier access to the deployment port in Beaumont, Texas…
Cut 6 (10) “…ideal solution”
___________________________________________________
The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle. North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.
Cut 7 (05) “…wind is free.”
The wind farm being built in Oklahoma requires no fuel to run and is projected to save SWEPCO customers billions of dollars over the life of the 25 year project. Campbell says it’s important for Louisiana residents to have more alternate energy options.
Cut 8 (09) “…we have to diversify”
Campbell also says that customers are guaranteed cost savings with this clean energy option.
Cut 9 (08) “…clean in Louisiana.”
The project was approved in a 4-1 vote. The sole vote of opposition came from Commissioner Craig Greene of Baton Rouge.
Greene stated “The costs to ratepayers are certain; the benefits are not. Therefore, I oppose the project.”
______________________________________________
A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not significant cuts will occur…
Cut 10 (11) “…cut”
During his monthly call-in show, Edwards told listeners the discussions he’s having with lawmakers are different during this third special and better than they were before….
Cut 11 (10) “…conclusion too”
The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. It will take 70 votes on the House floor today for these sales tax bills to advance to the Senate. Edwards says its anxious times….
Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”
______________________________________________
Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS. Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.
Cut 13 (09) “…students like me.”
Another participant, LSU SGA president Stewart Locket says the lack of funding may have students finding they can’t complete what they started with their educational endeavors.
Cut 14 (09) “…not being fully funded.”
Meanwhile, Jeremy Gray, another participant at the event said it’s important for legislators to not look at students as anything less than beneficial to the future of the state.
Cut 15 (09) ” …are tax payers.”
The governor addressed the crowd on hand during the event.
_____________________________
Consensus five-star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. of Baton Rouge committed to LSU via a tweet Wednesday afternoon and will shut down his recruitment for good. Stingley impresses not only in skill with 64 tackles and 11 interceptions at Dunham High School last year, but shows physical prowess as well. Tiger Rag associate editor James Moran on the Tiger Rag podcast is floored by the athleticism of the young athlete…
Cut 16 (09) “…birthday wednesday”
Tiger Rag Editor Cody Worsham says that Stingley alongside 5-star offensive guard Cardell Thomas of Baton Rouge could be the beginnings of an elite recruitment class…
Cut 17 (19) “…do now”