On the opening day of the third special session, Governor Edwards tells legislators to break free of the partisan gridlock as the state approaches the fiscal cliff. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Discussion on tax bills begins today. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry says his legislation to renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax would provide the state with an additional 507-million dollars…
cut 14 (11) “…virtually impossible”

Outrage is growing over the Trump administration’s decision to separate immigrant families crossing the U-S-Mexico border. But Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise blames a law passed by the Democrats…
cut 5 (12) “…go back home”
The Archidocese of New Orleans says our current immigration laws are not fair or just.

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the Bayou State has the largest trade suprlus with China….
cut 6 (10) “….go to China”
Soybeans are among the hundreds of U.S. products China has singled out for tariffs.

The House Ways and Means Committee meets at this hour to discuss the various tax bills that would raise revenue to prevent or soften proposed cuts to state services. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry has authored the legislation Governor Edwards supports. Landry’s measure would renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax and the Democrat says there’s also public support behind his legislation
Cut 13 (08) “I’ve got”
But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says heard from residents in his district they want lower taxes and less government spending…
cut 16 (12) “….last year”
The House Appropriations Committee also meets to look at government spending.

The issue of immigration is a hot button topic again as criticism grows over the Trump administration’s decision to separate thousands of families along the U-S Mexico-border as part of a “zero tolerance” immigration enforcement policy. US Representative Steve Scalise from Metairie stands with President Trump on this issue….
cut 4 (09) “…every other country does”
The Archdiocese of New Orleans says current immigration laws are not fair or just.

The World Health Organization has classified excessive video game playing as a gaming disorder. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore hopes parents do not think that just because their child plays video games that they have a disorder. Moore says it has to be a serious issue….
cut 9 (12) “….it is problematic”
Moore hopes the World Health Organization provides clear cut criteria on what constitutes a gaming disorder.

There is widespread criticism of the Trump administration’s decision to separate migrant families trying to cross the U-S-Mexico border and charging the parents in criminal court. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise doesn’t want to spearate parents from children, but the problem can be solved if the U-S builds a wall to secure the border….
cut 6 (13) “…let’s go get that done”
The Archdiocese of New Orleans urges the federal government to stop putting children in detention facilities without their parents and make a sincere effort towards comprehensive reform.

Twenty-seven-year-old Paul Miller of Lafayette has been indicted for allegedly phoning in a bomb threat to a restuarant at the Trump Tower in New York City last September. Court records do not say where Miller made the call.

Another special session is underway. In an address to lawmakers, Governor John Bel Edwards said it’s time to break free of the partisan gridlock as the state approaches the fiscal cliff on July 1st.
Cut 10 (11) “…simply inexcusable.”
Without additional revenue, TOPS, higher education, food stamps and public safety programs will all receive cuts.

Video games can be a fun pass time, but now the World Health Organization says that compulsively playing video games qualifies as a new mental health condition. It’s a move that some critics warn may risk stigmatizing young players. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Michelle Moore says there needs to be clear cut criteria defined prior to labeling someone with this new mental illness.
Cut 7 (11) “…label to someone.”

With a new fiscal year set to begin July 1st, Governor John Bel Edwards says now is the time to come up with the necessary revenue to reduce a budget deficit of 500-million dollars…
cut 12 (09) “….for it”
Without additional revenue, TOPS, higher education and the food stamp program are all on the chopping block. But a group of House Republicans are a firm “No” on various sales tax bills. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the legislature can do a better job prioritizing the 29-billion dollar plus budget approved in the last special session…
Cut 15 (12) ” last year”
The House Appropriations Committee meets this morning and the Louisiana Department of Health is one of the state agencies set to testify.

Outrage is growing over the Trump administration’s decision to separate immigrant families crossing the U-S-Mexico border. But Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise blames a law passed by the Democrats…
cut 5 (12) “…go back home”
The Archidocese of New Orleans says our current immigration laws are not fair or just.

The World Health Organization classifies “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition. But should playing video games qualify as a disorder? LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore says the W-H-O is going down a slippery slope….
cut 8 (10) “…cell phone addiction”
The U.N. health agency said that classifying “Gaming Disorder” as a separate condition will help public health experts be better prepared to identify the issue.

The House Ways and Means Committee meets this morning to discuss the various revenue bills that lawmakers can pass to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry has a measure to renew a half-penny of an expiring one-cent sales tax to generate 500-million dollars, which would be enough to fully fund TOPS, higher education, the department of corrections and the food stamp program. He says his bill is the best solution to the fiscal cliff…
cut 14 (11) “…virtually impossible”
But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says he’s heard from residents in his district and they want lower taxes and less government spending…
cut 16 (12) “…33 billion dollars”
The special session must end June 27th.

Video games can be a fun pass time, but now the World Health Organization says that compulsively playing video games qualifies as a new mental health condition. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 1 (30) “…reporting”

Legislators are back in Baton Rouge for a third special session called to address the fiscal cliff which arrives July 1st. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says LABI supports a partial renewal of an expiring one-cent sales tax, even though businesses will pay 48-percent of what could be a 400 to 500-million dollar tax increase…
cut 7 (08) “…compromise there”

State Police arrested a Denham Springs couple after they were found in Calcasieu Parish transporting 25 undocument immigrants. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says Stephanie and Nicholas Harris were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center….
cut 14 (11) “…one fo the vehicles”
Anderson says this appears to be a case of human trafficking.

They are often used to treat pain, but now, Dr. Bob Zura from LSU Health New Orleans says it looks like opioids may very well be contributing to an elevated risk of bone fractures. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Five protesters were arrested in New Orleans today as US Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at the National Sheriff’s Association Convention in New Orleans. During his speech, Sessions said the United States will NOT encourage people to bring their children to the country illegally by giving them immunity in the process.

The number of people employed in Louisiana has reached its second highest level ever…
voicer 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A third special session of 2018 is underway as lawmakers are back to see if they can pass a sales tax bill that could generate enough cash to avoid cuts to TOPS, higher education, department of corrections and the food stamp program. But Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello is one of several Republicans who prefer budget cuts to reduce the deficit….
cut 28 (09) “…state agencies”

Last week’s announcement of the 2.3 million dollar return through the Unclaimed Property Program to a north Louisiana resident has more people interested in the program. State Treasurer John Schroder says the recent claim has more Louisiana residents wondering if they have money in the state’s unclaimed property fund.
cut 9 (12) “was only 821”
Visit La-Treasury-dot-com to see if you are owed money.

New research has found that opioids can increase the risk of bone fracture and also make it harder for bones to heal. Doctor Bob Zura from LSU Health New Orleans says it’s not just the heaviest users that are at risk…
cut 5 (09) “…patients heal”
Zura says Tyenol maybe a better choice for treating pain associated with bone fractures, instead of opioids.