Louisiana voters will not see US Senate candidates debate before the November 3rd election after Senator Bill Cassidy says he won’t agree to debate unless all of his challengers are invited. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “ I’m Matt Doyle”
________________________________
The Louisiana Municipal Association is fighting legislation that could strip state construction dollars from municipalities that reduce police budgets by ten percent or more. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
__________________________________________
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and the Saints have agreed to a phased approach allowing fans to back into the Superdome. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
_______________________________
Amendment Three on the ballot proposes changes to access the state’s, Rainy Day Fund. Public Affairs Research Council President, Robert Travis Scott, says currently the fund can only be accessed if the economy is in peril or projected state income is insufficient. Amendment Three allows for another provision.
Cut 4 (13) “…happen a lot”
Scott says a two-thirds vote of the legislature is still required to tap funding with Amendment Three, along with a provision for replenishing the fund, upon receipt of federal emergency dollars.
Cut 5 (10) “…declared disaster”
Scott says the fund is already accessible under a federally declared disaster, but only if the state’s economy is in jeopardy.
Cut 6 (09) “…not affected”
Lawmakers cannot take more than the projected deficit from the Rainy Day Fund or one-third of the total balance, whichever is smaller.
____________________________
There will be no televised US Senate primary debate before November 3rd, the first time Louisianans won’t have a pre-vote debate in a Senate contest since 1998.
Senator Bill Cassidy says he won’t participate in any debate unless all 14 of his challengers are there. Political analyst Bernie Pisnonat says Cassidy dodging the debate is smart politics.
Cut 7 (08) “to do”
Cassidy’s opponents are headlined by Democrats Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins and Baton Rouge activist Antoine Peirce.
But are voters losing out by not having a chance to see the candidates go head to head?
Cut 8 (09) “…mind”
There’s been little polling for this Senate race. The only poll that could be found shows Cassidy with a strong lead followed by Perkins, and then Pierce.
Pinsonat says the only way we would see Cassidy attend a debate is if the race heads to a run-off.
Cut 9 (04) “to occur”
The potential run-off would be held on December 5th.
_________________
Legislation that could strip municipalities of state construction funds should they reduce their police budget has stalled amidst opposition from the Louisiana Municipal Association.
The legislation was brought in response to the “Defund the Police” movement, but LMA President John Gallagher says you have to leave these kinds of issues to local leaders…
Cut 10 (10) “…day”
The legislation would require local governments that cut police budgets by at least ten percent to testify to a legislative committee. If the committee decides the reduction was political and would hurt public safety, that municipality could be denied state construction dollars in the next fiscal year.
The LMA is worried routine budget cuts could be misconstrued by lawmakers under the bill as political attacks on police. Gallagher says it would all be up to legislators on the Joint Budget Committee…
Cut 11 (08) “Department”
Bill author Alexandria Representative Lance Harris defended it saying municipal public safety issues can impact the entire state, and if a budget cut were to occur that wasn’t meant to “defund” local leaders would just have to state their case.
Gallagher questioned why the bill was even being brought right now…
Cut 12 (06) “opposite”.
Harris says it’s a preventative measure. The bill is scheduled to be heard in Senate Finance, which convenes at 1 PM today.
_____________________________
To reduce the state’s carbon footprint a Louisiana company applies for an EPA Permit to create a deep underground carbon sequestration site. It is being described as “the largest geologic carbon capture sequestration project in the U.S.” Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Patrick Courreges (Coo-ray) explains the process.
Cut 13 (11) “like wastewater.”
Courreges says the site will be located 10-thousand feet deep beneath a cattle ranch owned by Gulf Coast Sequestration, LLC between the Sabine River and Lake Charles.
Cut 14 (12) “…atmosphere”
In August Governor Edwards launched a program aimed at reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 28-percent by 2025. Courreges says the site will first have to receive EPA approval and eventually DNR will oversee the site.
Cut 15 (06) “..our coastline”
_________________________________________________________
The LSU football team used its unexpected bye weekend to try and fix a defense that’s given up nearly 500 yards of total offense a game through the first three contests. Linebacker Jabril Cox says they’ve simplified the playbook in the hopes of playing closer to the LSU standard…
cut 16 (20) “to that standard”
LSU starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday night’s game against South Carolina, so T-J Finley and Max Johnson are competing in practice this week to be the starter if Brennan can’t go. Starting center Liam Shanahan says he’s been impressed with Finley and Johnson
cut 17 (16) I’m confident”
_______________________________________________________
After a bye week, ULM is back in action this Saturday as the Warhawks travel to South Alabama in search of their first win. Coach Matt Viator says they used the extra time off to work on special teams after the punt team gave up three touchdowns in a 40-7 loss to Liberty….
cut 18 (19) ” I ever had”
Viator says they also worked on going up against defenses that play three-man defensive fronts…
cut 19 (18) “.s0″‘