The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The Corps of Engineers says they’re delaying the opening of the Morganza Spillway to Sunday. Just outside the State Capitol building you can see the water pushing up close to the top of the levee system. Corps Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the river level in Baton Rouge has been up and down but is projected to stay within safe levels through the end of the week.

Cut 8 (05) “rise”

Most recent reports indicate that the river’s high-water mark will be arriving three days later than previously thought.

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers which results in a 31-7 favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

The bill is now heading back to the House.

Gov. Edwards request for federal assistance has been approved by the President. The request was made for Lincoln, Morehouse and Union parishes after the destructive tornadoes in late April that killed two people and property damage estimated to more than 12-million dollars. Louisiana Tech University’s Campus also had major damage from a tornado. The funds will help pay for debris removal and restoring public infrastructure. The request for Individual Assistance for homeowners is still under review.

Teachers win their pay raise and the Governor gets his additional public education spending as the legislature celebrates a rare, bipartisan win…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Fantasy sports regulation is now a package deal with sportsbooks in an effort to keep the latter alive in the session, but does it spell trouble for fantasy sports fans?  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

_______________________________________________

Following a 31-7 favorable vote in the Senate, a bill to allow medical marijuana patients to use cannabis inhalers is on the way back to the House. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding.

Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The passage marks a significant victory for Governor Edwards, who made this his number one priority this legislative session, and teacher’s unions, who indicated they might strike if it didn’t pass. Denham Springs Representative Rodgers Pope…

Cut 5 (08) “…support.”

There was some frustration from lawmakers who attempted to pass a 1,200 dollar pay raise earlier in the session. Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon says that extra 200 adds up…

Cut 6 (09) “…package.”

But unions opposed that effort, because it did not include the 39 million in additional funding, and may not have been a permanent raise.

________________________________________

The Corps of Engineers says they’re delaying the opening of the Morganza Spillway to Sunday, the second time the structure’s much talked about opening has been pushed back.

Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says it’s due to recent reports that the river’s high-water mark will be arriving three days later than previously thought.

Cut 7 (09) “…to do”

The spillway was originally scheduled to open June 2^nd.

Just outside the State Capitol building you can see the water pushing up close to the top of the levee system. Boyett says the river level in Baton Rouge has been up and down but is projected to stay within safe levels through the end of the week.

Cut 8 (05) “rise”

Boyett says their current projections still indicate the river is set to rise to unsafe levels, so expect the Morganza to open at some point even with the delays, but they won’t open the structure if it’s not absolutely necessary.

Cut 9 (09) “open.”

___________________________________________________

With three days left in the legislative session, legislation that would give voters a chance to legalize sports betting is still alive. It’s been attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The combined measures received approval by the Senate on 24-13 vote on Monday. Spokesperson for Fairness for Fantasy Sports Ryan Berni  is concerned about bundling the two…

cut 10 (06) “…of the voters.”

Berni says the two hobbies should not be linked as they are very much different activities as fantasy sports sees participants usually competing with a much smaller wager with friends or in an online group with no house advantage.

Cut 11 (09) “…very different things.”

Berni says he believes once the two hobbies are pursued in their own individual pieces of legislation, he foresees a path to victory for fantasy sports fans in Louisiana to be more likely.

Cut 12 (12) “of the voters.”

The two combine measures are up for a vote in the House.

____________________

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers that results in the measure’s favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

Houma Senator Norby Chebert spoke in favor of the measure and said it’s wrong for those that have a difference of opinion to demonize the use of medical marijuana.

Cut 14 (07) “…in your state.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long was on the opposing end of the measure, insisting that medical marijuana was paving a pathway to a slippery slope toward recreational marijuana.

Cut 15 (08) “…time closing it.”

Following the 31-7 favorable vote, the bill is heading back to the House.

_______________________________________

The LSU Tigers are two wins away from playing in the College World Series. The Bayou Bengals are playing their best baseball at the right time of the season and Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says there is a good reason why that is

Cut 16  (15) “…right now”  

Freshman pitchers Landon Marceaux and Cole Henry have battled arm injuries this season, but they are healthy now and pitched very well in the Regional. Moran says the pitching as a whole has been good

cut 17 (21) College World Series” 

The Tigers will face Florida State in the Super Regionals. The Seminoles looked impressive at the Athens Regional, beating Georgia twice by wide margins. Moran says the Seminoles are playing for their longtime head coach…

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal still needs House approval. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says farmers are itching to grow hemp, as the prices for rice, cotton, and soybeans are currently low.

Cut 6 (11) “…themselves.”

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers that results in the measure’s favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

Following the 31-7 favorable vote, the bill is heading back to the House.

On a 58-29 vote, the House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson voted for the bill because she says the labeling is confusing

Cut 10 (10) “…alternative products.”

Opponents don’t buy that argument, and don’t see how consumers could be confused by a product called cauliflower rice.

Teachers win their pay raise and the Governor gets his additional public education spending as the legislature celebrates a rare, bipartisan win…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Following a 31-7 favorable vote in the Senate, a bill to allow medical marijuana patients to use cannabis inhalers is on the way back to the House. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

_______________________________________________

Fantasy sports suffers a legislative setback after sports betting is added to the measure. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding.

Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The passage marks a significant victory for Governor Edwards, who made this his number one priority this legislative session, and teacher’s unions, who indicated they might strike if it didn’t pass. Denham Springs Representative Rodgers Pope…

Cut 5 (08) “…support.”

There was some frustration from lawmakers who attempted to pass a 1,200 dollar pay raise earlier in the session. Abita Springs Representative Scott Simon says that extra 200 adds up…

Cut 6 (09) “…package.”

But unions opposed that effort, because it did not include the 39 million in additional funding, and may not have been a permanent raise.

________________________________________

The Corps of Engineers says they’re delaying the opening of the Morganza Spillway to Sunday, the second time the structure’s much talked about opening has been pushed back.

Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett says it’s due to recent reports that the river’s high-water mark will be arriving three days later than previously thought.

Cut 7 (09) “…to do”

The spillway was originally scheduled to open June 2^nd.

Just outside the State Capitol building you can see the water pushing up close to the top of the levee system. Boyett says the river level in Baton Rouge has been up and down but is projected to stay within safe levels through the end of the week.

Cut 8 (05) “rise”

Boyett says their current projections still indicate the river is set to rise to unsafe levels, so expect the Morganza to open at some point even with the delays, but they won’t open the structure if it’s not absolutely necessary.

Cut 9 (09) “open.”

___________________________________________________

After sports wagering struggled to make it over legislative hurdles on its own, the bill’s author Metairie Senator Danny Martiny added the measure as an amendment to legislation for fantasy sports betting.  The result saw both failing to achieve the two-thirds vote needed to advance.  Spokesperson for Fairness for Fantasy Sports Ryan Berni says the bundling appears to be standard legislative politics, and it leaves sports betting held hostage.

Cut 10 (06) “…of the voters.”

Berni says the two hobbies should not be linked as they are very much different activities as fantasy sports sees participants usually competing with a much smaller wager with friends or in an online group with no house advantage.

Cut 11 (09) “…very different things.”

Berni says he believes once the two hobbies are pursued in their own individual pieces of legislation, he foresees a path to victory for fantasy sports fans in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (12) “of the voters.”

____________________

The Senate amends a proposal to let medical marijuana patients use cannabis inhalers that results in the measure’s favorable passage.  New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the bill, saying providing a remedy for debilitating issues when other drugs fail to help is the fair thing to do.

Cut 13 (11) “…suffer in silence.”

Houma Senator Norby Chebert spoke in favor of the measure and said it’s wrong for those that have a difference of opinion to demonize the use of medical marijuana.

Cut 14 (07) “…in your state.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long was on the opposing end of the measure, insisting that medical marijuana was paving a pathway to a slippery slope toward recreational marijuana.

Cut 15 (08) “…time closing it.”

Following the 31-7 favorable vote, the bill is heading back to the House.

_______________________________________

The LSU Tigers are two wins away from playing in the College World Series. The Bayou Bengals are playing their best baseball at the right time of the season and Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says there is a good reason why that is

Cut 16  (15) “…right now”  

Freshman pitchers Landon Marceaux and Cole Henry have battled arm injuries this season, but they are healthy now and pitched very well in the Regional. Moran says the pitching as a whole has been good

cut 17 (21) College World Series” 

The Tigers will face Florida State in the Super Regionals. The Seminoles looked impressive at the Athens Regional, beating Georgia twice by wide margins. Moran says the Seminoles are playing for their longtime head coach…

The House votes unanimously to give K-12 teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, support personnel a 500 dollar pay raise, and approves 39 million dollars in new public-school funding. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the state is long overdue for an increase in education spending.

Cut 4 (08) “…children.”

The pay raises plus additional funding will cost the state an extra 140 million dollars a year.

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal still needs House approval. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says farmers are itching to grow hemp, as the prices for rice, cotton, and soybeans are currently low.

Cut 6 (11) “…themselves.”

Sports gambling legalization had a tough day in the Senate as an attempt to revive the bill that was killed in House Appropriations by amending it to fantasy sports regulation results in both sports betting and fantasy sports going down in flames. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny attempted the combined effort that did not cross the two thirds vote threshold it needed pass, as it put off legislators like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 14 (12) “…conscience” 

On a 58-29 vote, the House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson voted for the bill because she says the labeling is confusing

Cut 10 (10) “…alternative products.”

Opponents don’t buy that argument, and don’t see how consumers could be confused by a product called cauliflower rice.

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry of abusing legislative rules to tank an effort to legalize sports betting…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces the Morganza Spillways’ gates on the Mississippi River will not begin opening Thursday as expected, but will be pushed back to Sunday. This is the second delay for the opening and is being blame is being put on changes in the weather forecast.

The legislative battle over whether Louisiana should have a minimum age to get married continues. An amendment was introduced that would preserve the current lack of minimum age, but would require 16 and 17-year-olds have parental consent for marriage and judicial review for younger individuals.  It’s an amendment that was met with opposition by Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.
Cut 4 (10) “…really voting on.” 
The conference committee will be a select group of House and Senate members that will attempt to set a minimum age for marriage that can receive approval before the legislative session ends on Thursday night.

On a 58-29 vote, the House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The legislation also prohibits a food being called a veggie meat patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Crowley Representative John Stefanski is a co-author of the bill

Cut 9 (12) “….what it is”

The House gives final passage to a school financial plan with a 103-0 vote, resulting in a $1000 pay raise for teachers, $500 for support workers, and $39 million in block grant funding. The legislation raises the public school budget by $140 million for the next school year.
Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing the House Appropriations Chairman of using dirty legislative tricks to destroy an effort to legalize sports betting. Martiny slammed Chairman Cameron Henry for allegedly “hiding out”, which prevented the vote on sports betting from taking place. Martiny says Henry abused legislative rules to advance his agenda.

Cut 13 (12) “ things done” 

Earlier today Martiny amended a fantasy sports regulation bill to include sports gambling, but the combined bill failed.

The House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The legislation also prohibits a food being called a veggie meat patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee was one of the more two dozen House members who voted against the bill.

Cut 11 (11) “…harder to access.”

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal still needs  House approval. The legislation calls for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the product and perform routine tests of crops to ensure their THC level, a hallucinogenic chemical, is not above .03 percent. Franklin Senator Bret Allain…

Cut 8 (11) “…marijuana.”

A state regulatory plan for production must be submitted to the USDA by November 1^st.

Industrial hemp and CBD oil legalization clears the Senate and is headed back to the House with amendments. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

____________________________

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry of abusing legislative rules to tank an effort to legalize sports betting…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

The legislative battle over whether Louisiana should have a minimum age to get married continues. Legislators are pushing to set the minimum age at 17. Several GOP lawmakers oppose, including Houma Representative Beryl Amadee, who says she met her husband in their teenage years.

Cut 3 (09) “…have allowed it.”

An amendment was introduced that would preserve the lack of minimum age, but would require 16 and 17-year-olds have parental consent for marriage and judicial review for younger individuals.  It’s an amendment that was met with opposition by Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.

Cut 4 (10) “…really voting on.” 

Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says she’s for sending the bill to a conference committee prior to advancing the measure any further.

Cut 5 (13) “…with this bill.”

The conference committee will be a select group of House and Senate members that will attempt to set a minimum age for marriage that can receive approval before the legislative session ends on Thursday night.

________________________________________________

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal still needs  House approval. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says farmers are itching to grow hemp, as the prices for rice, cotton, and soybeans are currently low.

Cut 6 (11) “…themselves.”

Allain says over 30 states have, and are in the process of legalizing the plant’s production after a federal ruling that allowed state regulated crops.

Hemp proponents say the plant, and it’s derivatives, can be found in thousands of different products. Allain noted two of the most popular applications…

Cut 7 (06) “…oil.”

The first draft of the Declaration of Independence, and the Guttenberg Bible are thought to have been written on hemp paper.

The legislation calls for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the product and perform routine tests of crops to ensure their THC level, a hallucinogenic chemical, is not above .03 percent.

Cut 8 (11) “…marijuana.”

A state regulatory plan for production must be submitted to the USDA by November 1^st.

____________________

On a 58-29 vote, the House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The legislation also prohibits a food being called a veggie meat patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Crowley Representative John Stefanski is a co-author of the bill

Cut 9 (12) “….what it is”

Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson voted for the bill because she says the labeling is confusing

Cut 10 (10) “…alternative products.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee was one of the more two dozen House members who voted against the bill. Amedee doesn’t see how consumers could be confused by a product called cauliflower rice and this legislation could limit certain products that consumers are looking for

Cut 11 (11) “…harder to access.”

__________________________

Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing the House Appropriations Chairman of using dirty legislative tricks to destroy an effort to legalize sports betting.

Martiny says he had votes to pass it on the bill House floor, but for that to happen the chairman of the committee where the bill was killed must be present, and…

cut 12(11)   “…about””

A call to Chairman Henry on the story has not been returned.

Martiny slammed Chairman Cameron Henry for allegedly “hiding out”, which prevented the vote on sports betting from taking place. Martiny says Henry abused legislative rules to advance his agenda.

Cut 13 (12) “ things done” 

Henry opposes the legalization of sports betting.

Earlier today Martiny amended a fantasy sports regulation bill to include sports gambling, but the combined bill failed amid concern from legislators like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 14 (12) “…conscience” 

The House has given final legislative passage to the public school financing plan that contains a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers, five-hundred dollar increase for school support workers and the measure also contains a 39-million dollar block grant for school districts. The pay raises would go into effect after July 1st.

Industrial hemp and CBD oil legalization clears the Senate and is headed back to the House with amendments. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The legislative session must come to a close by 6 PM Thursday night and there’s still a push to set the minimum age to get married at 17. Amendments have been added to the legislation to allow those under 17 to get married, if a judge approves. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says a conference committee featuring both House and Senate members will be needed to figure out what kind of law they need to pass…
cut 5 (13) “…with this bill”

Nearing final legislative passage is a bill that would prohibit Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food like cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The same goes for a veggie patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson voted for the bill, because she says the labeling is confusing…
cut 10 (10) “…alternative products”