The legislative session ends Thursday at six PM and there is still a chance the legislature approves a bill to let voters decide on whether to legalize sports betting. Kenner Senator Danny Martiny has attached his fantasy sports betting bill to a measure that regulates fantasy sports. Martiny says he didn’t want to take this step, but House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is preventing a vote in the full House…
cut 12 (11) “…process is about
House Appropriations deferred Martiny’s bill last week and there is a legislative procedure to remove that measure out of Appropriations, but it takes Henry to be present in the House for a vote to occur.

LSU catcher Saul Garza was voted as the Baton Rouge Regional’s co-Most Oustanding Player as he helped the Tigers defeat Southern Miss six to four last night. The Tigers advance to the Super Regionals where they’ll face Florida State.

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…
Cut 9 (12) “….what it is”
Opponents say the labeling of a food called cauliflower rice is not tricking consumers in thinking that its rice.

A bill that allows farmers to legally grow hemp heads towards final passage after receiving approval from the Senate. Hemp proponents say the plant, and it’s derivatives, can be found in thousands of different products. Franklin Senator Brent Allain noted two of the most popular applications…
Cut 7 (06) “…oil.”
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.

Sports betting has been revived as language to legalize sports betting in LA has been attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The Senate approved the move, but the House is expected to reject. A conference committee will decide if the two issues should be on the same bill,
The legislative battle over a bill addressing the minimum age for marriage continues.  Currently, there is no age floor in Louisiana in order to get married.  GOP lawmakers continue their push against the measure, 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.” 

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal heads back to the House.

Franklin Senator Bret Allain says farmers are itching to get their hands on the product, as the prices of common Louisiana commodities like 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.

AAA estimates there will be a 17 percent increase in teen driver fatalities on the road over roughly the next 100 days as summer means more teens on the road.
Cut 2 (31) “…Matt Doyle.”

LSU is heading to a Super Regional series for a 14th time in program history after beating Southern Miss six to four last night. Also, Tigers right fielder Antoine Duplantis became the school’s all-time hits leader when he smacked a single up the middle for his 353rd hit, passing Eddy Furniss, who held the record for 20 years.

Uber and Lyft rideshare services are getting closer to being expanded throughout the state. The bill to allow Alexandria and rural areas to have the service passed the Senate 34 to 1. Kenner Republican Danny Martiny, was the lone vote in opposition who questioned why Lyft and Uber would not be regulated by the Public Service Commission.
Cut 14 (10) “…go there”
The measure still needs House approval of the Senate changes to the bill and it’s predicted to pass.

Judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for additional raises over the next five years. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says his constituents have taken years of pay cuts while judge’s salaries continue to increase. But Houma Representative Tanner Magee says that’s just how our government works right now.
Cut 12 (12) “five years.”
The House ultimately voted 87-3 in favor of the bill.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s proposal banning handheld cellphone use while driving is up for a critical vote in a Senate committee today…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bill to bring Uber and Lyft ride sharing services to Alexandria and rural areas is close to final legislative passage. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says it’s important for central Louisiana…

Cut 15 (11) “…60 or 70 miles”

Teachers may not know the exact raise they’ll get, but judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for additional raises over the next five years as a result of bill that has received final legislative passage. Erath Representative Blake Miguez grilled Houma Representative Tanner Magee over reports that judges received pay raises from 2013-2017 while the state budget was in chaos. Magee countered…

Cut 11 (12) “…system.”

The raise will cost 1.8 million in the first year and could grow to 9.5 million if the State Supreme Court approves raises in each of the next five years.

AAA is warning drivers to be extra cautious on the roads this summer as teens off from school pack the roadways. Spokesperson Don Redman now is the time to give those kids good practices…

Cut 8 (07) “…watching”

Governor Edwards proposal to provide teachers with a one-thousand dollar pay raise and also provide public schools with 39-million dollars in block grant funding received approval from a key committee in the House. The Appropriations Committee okayed the proposal, despite concerns it may cause funding problems in future years. The full House is expected to debate the measure today.

Judges are the governor’s signature away from a 2.5 percent pay raise next year, with potential for additional pay raises for the next five years. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (31) “..governor”

House approved legislation banning handheld cellphone use while behind the wheel goes before a Senate committee as it tries to receive final approval in the final week of the regular session. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says Georgia has a similar law as his bill and it has prevented fatalities…
cut 6 (10) “…the driving public”
Opponents say why just focus on one particular distraction when it comes to distractions in a vehicle.

The motorist club Triple-A says we have entered the 100 deadliest days. Over the past five years, 35-hundred teenagers nationwide have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the 100 deadliest days. AAA’s Don Redman says parents should try to limit the number of people in a vehicle when a teen is behind wheel…
cutr 9 (08) “….crash”

It looks like the Governor’s education budget and teacher pay raises are back on track now that a house committee has passed the measure which includes the $39 million dollar increase in block grant money for school districts. Before House Republicans opposed the block grant funds for K-12.

The Governor’s budget would give pay raises to teachers and school support workers, while also increasing discretionary spending to K-12 school districts. The measure now needs full House approval and the session end on Thursday.

Judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for more raises over the next five years as a result of bill that received final passage. Despite ultimately voting for it, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is frustrated that Louisiana chases the southern regional average for state salaries for judges, but not for vital services.

Cut 10 (09) “…salaries.”

A bill to prohibit handheld cellphone use will be heard in Senate Judiciary Committee C today. Opponents to Beaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill say there are other distractions like eating. But Huval says statistics show cell phone use is a factor in many accidents.

Cut 5 (11) “…causing multiple accidents.”

The bill requires full Senate approval before the session ends Thursday.

AAA estimates there will be a 17 percent increase in teen driver fatalities on the road over roughly the next 100 days as summer means more teens on the road.

Cut 2 (31) “…Matt Doyle.” 

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s proposal banning handheld cellphone use while driving is up for a critical vote in a Senate committee this morning…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It is summer and more teens are on the road. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says 3,500 drivers nationwide have died in wrecks with teens in a five-year period during the “100 Deadliest Days” between 2013 and 2017.

Cut 7 (10) “…as well”

52 percent of teen drivers report that they operate their cellphone while behind the wheel.

Uber and Lyft rideshare services are getting closer to being expanded in throughout the state this legislative session. The bill to allow Alexandria and rural areas to have the service passed the Senate 34 to 1. Kenner Republican Danny Martiny, was the one vote in opposition who questioned why Lyft and Uber would not be regulated by the Public Service Commission.

Cut 14 (10) “…go there”

The measure still needs House approval of the Senate changes to the bill and it’s predicted to pass.

Inspirational chef, civil rights leader and New Orleans legend Leah Chase passed away on Saturday. The 96-year old owner of Dooky Chase Restaurant was surrounded by family when she died at the age of 96. Several Louisiana leaders have issued quotes in tribute to Chase, among them Governor Edwards who said she lead a remarkable life and was a trailblazing entrepreneur who believed in treating everyone with dignity and respect.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

A bill prohibiting handheld use of cellphones while behind the wheel has cleared the House and is being heard in Senate Judiciary Committee C today. It will also need full Senate approval before the session ends on Thursday. Last year, a similar effort got hung up, but Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval  is confident this year will be different.

Cut 4 (08) “…last year.”

A bill to bring Uber and Lyft ride sharing services to Alexandria and rural areas is close to final legislative passage. The proposal died in the Senate the last two years, but over the weekend the upper chamber approved the measure 34-to-1. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau  says this legislation can help reduce drunk driving deaths among college students

Cut 13 (08) “…do it.”

Judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for additional raises over the next five years. Erath Representative Blake Miguez had a testy exchange with Houma Representative Tanner Magee about the judicial pay raises. Miguez stated it isn’t fair that his constituents have taken years of pay cuts while judge’s salaries have continued to expand. Magee says that’s just how our government works right now.

Cut 12 (12) “five years.”

The House ultimately voted 87-3 in favor of the bill. The LSU Tigers won their 24^th Regional title last night against Southern Miss and advance in the NCAA Baseball tournament. The Tigers will face FSU at the Box this weekend for a three game series.

And LSU Advances in the NCAA Tournament after beating Southern Miss.

Governor Edwards proposal to provide teachers with a one-thousand dollar pay raise and also provide public schools with 39-million dollars in block grant funding received approval from a key committee in the House. The Appropriations Committee okayed the proposal, despite concerns it may cause funding problems in future years. House Republicans rejected a similar proposal earlier this year over concerns the state can’t afford this type of spending.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s proposal banning handheld cellphone use while driving is up for a critical vote in a Senate committee this morning…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bill that enacts statewide regulations for ride-sharing services, so that Uber and Lyft can expand operations to areas out of the state’s largest cities is nearing final passage. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says this is an important bill for central Louisiana…
cut 15 (11) “…60 or 70 miles”
The bill still needs House approval of changes made by the Senate and that is expected to happen.

A bill that gives judges a 2.5 percent pay raise starting July 1st and additional 2.5-percent increases through 2023 is headed to the governor’s desk. Supporters say the pay hike will put salaries for judges in Louisiana at the Southern Regional Average. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter voted for the legislation, but made this point on the House floor…
cut 10 (09) “…salaries”
Three House members voted against the bill, conservative Republicans Beryl Amedee, Dodie Horton and Blake Miguez.