The personal finance website WalletHub finds Louisiana is the most stressed out state in the nation.  Louisiana ranks fifth for percent of adults with fair or poor health and sixth for getting adequate sleep. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the lack of money can lead to stress and Louisiana ranks high in some catagories.

Cut 5 (11) “…of stress levels.”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is looking to increase the state gas tax by 18 cents a gallon to help ease traffic and repair state bridges. A past effort by Carter to pass a similar tax failed to even make it to the floor, but the Capital City Republican says he’s heard from lawmakers since then who have changed their mind.

Cut 8 (09) “…gasoline tax”.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry is promoting legislation in the upcoming session that would guarantee healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions and other patient projections, if the Affordable Care Act is ruled unconstitutional. Governor Edwards says its ironic Landry is taking credit for fixing a problem he helped create by supporting litigation that endangers health care coverage for almost 850-thousand Louisiana residents. But Landry says the lawsuit gives Louisiana an opportunity to create a better health care system…

Cut 11 (09)   “fellow citizens.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services releases a report that finds the number of reported juvenile trafficking victims rose by 20-percent in 2018. Child welfare manager Christy Tate says the report found that Orleans, Caddo and East Baton Rouge were the parishes most frequently identified as the trafficking locations for both adult and juvenile victims. She says that’s not a big surprise…

Cut 14 (07) “…traveled areas”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is proposing legislation that would increase the gasoline tax 18-cents a gallon over the next 12 years. Carter says last week’s traffic nightmare in the Capital City because of a damaged bridge is another reason why the state needs better bridges…

Cut 7 (11) “…somewhere”

Carter’s bill would increase state transportation dollars by 430-million dollars per year.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services releases a report that finds the number of reported juvenile trafficking victims rose by 20-percent in 2018. Child welfare manager Christy Tate says they don’t think the crime of human trafficking is getting worse, but there’s greater awareness

Cut 12 (08) “…being trained.”

Overall in 2018, there were 744 confirmed victims of trafficking, 58-percent were juveniles and as young as five months old.

Louisiana has the highest level of stress in the nation according to research from the personal finance website WalletHub…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is backing legislation in the upcoming session that would guarantee healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions and other patient projections, if Obamacare is ruled unconstitutional. The A-G has been an outspoken critic of the A-C-A, and says this bill is part of the solution…

Cut 10 (07)“…coming out”

The Edwards administration also has a bill addressing the possibility of people losing insurance if the A-C-A is ruled unconstitutional.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has a bill that would eventually pump billions of dollars into the state’s crumbling infrastructure by raising the gas tax by 18 cents a gallon over the next 12 years. Carter says his bill would make sure that every cent raised would go towards fixing vital needs.

Cut 6 (12) “…this state”

The current gas tax is 20 cents a gallon, and if passed the legislation would raise that by six cents in the first year.

The personal finance website WalletHub has released a report that indicates Louisiana is the most stressed-out state in the nation.   Louisiana ranks fifth for percent of adults with fair or poor health.  Financially, the state ranks third for percent of the population living below the poverty line.  Gonzales says these factors can have a snowball effect.

Cut 4 (11) “…cyclical aspects here.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry is touting legislation that would guarantee healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions and other patient projections if the courts rule the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Landry says the bill is called “Health Care Coverage for Louisiana Families Protection Act…

Cut 9 (12) “…pre-existing conditions”

Landry’s office supports a lawsuit that seeks to declare Obamacare as unconstitutional. Back in December, a federal judge ruled in favor of that lawsuit and the ruling is currently under appeal.

What happens now with the LSU basketball program now that the season is over? Head Coach Will Wade could be dismissed in the wake of the FBI wiretap scandal that caught Wade in an alleged pay to play scheme. Tiger Rag Associate Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva likely has his eyes on a new head coach…

Cut 10 (12) “…will wade.”

The personal finance website WalletHub has released a report that indicates Louisiana is the most stressed-out state in the nation.  Bordering states Mississippi took second place and Arkansas placed third.  WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says forty key metrics were used to calculate the rankings.

Cut 3 (11) “…those different things.”

Louisiana ranks fifth for percent of adults with fair or poor health and sixth for getting adequate sleep.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has introduced legislation for the upcoming session that would see handheld cell phone use prohibited while driving.  Current law only sees that restriction in place while in a school zone.  Huval says the proposed law would carry a few exceptions for hand-held phone use, including first responders.

Cut 6 (13) “…an exception also.”

The 2019 session kicks off seven days from now and legislators will tackle revenue questions, but as of now, they will be doing it without a budget. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

We’re a week away from the start of the 2019 legislative session, and since it’s an odd numbered year legislators will be tasked with taking on tax and revenue issues from the start. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s one problem though…
Cut 7 (09) “…officially”
Alford says that’s because the Revenue Estimating Conference cannot agree on just how much revenue the state will take in this year. Speaker Taylor Barras is opposing the other three members recommendation to raise the forecast from last year.
Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder is proposing to legalize hemp production in Louisiana. Last year’s federal farm bill permits states to regulate and grow hemp if they so choose. He says the crop is a cash cow…
Cut 13 (09) “…one year.”
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A proposed law to be introduced during the upcoming session could see Louisiana drivers having to put down their cell phones in favor of a hands free device. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
Port Barre Police are searching for a suspected runaway 15-year-old girl who was last seen getting off the bus at Port Barre High School. Authorities says Domeanna Spell, a 5’2 white female with long light brown hair, is potentially with a 47-year-old Cory Disotel, who may be traveling in his 2003 silver Honda Civic.

We’re a week away from the start of the 2019 legislative session, and since it’s an odd-numbered year, legislators will be tasked with taking on tax and revenue issues from the start. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says with tax and budget issues at the forefront, the more conservative of the two legislative chambers will take center-stage, at least to start the session.

Cut 8 (08) “…they go.”

What happens now with the LSU basketball program now that the season is over? Head Coach Will Wade could be dismissed in the wake of the FBI wiretap scandal that caught Wade in an alleged pay to play scheme. Tiger Rag Associate Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva likely has his eyes on a new head coach…

Cut 10 (12) “…will wade.”

Nunez says Head Coach of the University of Nevada Eric Musselman could be a target for Alleva.

A Gonzales Representative is bringing legislation to capitalize on the Farm Bill’s new provision that allows states to regulate the production of industrial hemp. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s no April Fool’s Day joke. The Rolling Stones have pulled out of the New Orleans Jazz Fest.  The cancellation comes following the postponement of the No Filter 2019 tour as frontman Mick Jagger recovers from an undisclosed medical issue.  As for what happens to fill the gap in the lineup, and what ticket holders can expect as far as refunds, has yet to be announced by festival organizers.

After an SEC title and a march to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the future of the LSU basketball program is very uncertain. Many believe suspended coach Will Wade has coached his last game at LSU because of the FBI wire tap scandal. Wade has been subpoenaed to testify in a college basketball corruption trial that begins April 22nd. LSU could wait for that trial to end to see if they can keep Wade around, but but Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva will likely look to move on…
cut 11 (12) “lawsuit.”
Some of LSU’s top players will likely head to the NBA, because they are talented enough to do so and also NCAA sanctions could be coming.

A week from today, the legislative session will begin and once again a bill has been filed to prohibit the use of a hand held cell phone while behind the wheel. Author and Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the technology for hands-free use of a cell phone in a vehicle is more widespread.
Cut 5 (10) “…though your vehicle.”
Similiar legislation has failed in previous years.

The federal farm bill approved last year gives states the opportunity to legalize the production of industrial hemp. Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder has filed legislation for the crop to be grown in Louisiana, with the state department of agriculture handling the regulations. Schexnayder says in 2017 Kentucky launched a hemp pilot program which demonstartated how profitable the plant could be…
cut 14 (09) “…one year”

A south Louisiana lawmaker wants Louisiana drivers to put down their cell phones in favor of a hands free device. Kevin Barnhart has more on a proposed law for the upcoming session…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Authorities are looking for 15-year-old Domeanna Spell of Port Barre. The white femal was last seen on Thursday morning after she got off the school bust at Port Barre High School. Police believe she may have runaway and could be with 47-year-old Cory Shane Disotel, who is believed to be traveling in a siver 2003 Honda Civic.

A week from today, the 2019 regular session will get underway. It’s an odd numbered year, so lawmakers can file bills to increase taxes or make changes with the state’s tax structure. Jeremy Alford of La-politics-dot-com expects two major tax issues to come up..
cut 9 (09) “…next term”
Lawmakers will also have to approve a budget and budget hearings on a spending plan begin today.

Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder has filed legislation to legalize the production of industrial hemp, which has many uses, including paper, texttiles, construction and health food. But hemp is not without it’s detractors who have expressed concern about the plants genealogical links to marijuana. Schexnayder says it is true hemp has some THC, but it’s really a completely different plant.
cut 15 (09) “….chihuahua”
Industrial hemp in many states is limited to .03 percent THC, a psychoactive substance. Recreational weed can have anywhere from 15 to 40 percent THC.