On a 98 to 2 vote the House passes a bill that would put a tax reform constitutional amendment on the November 2022 ballot. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop’s proposal would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Bishop says this effort is decades in the making…

Cut 10 (07) “…an answer”

Bishop says this bill will streamline our tax code.

Cut 11 (07) “….those people”

The bill, considered to be the priority piece of legislation for Republicans this session, was almost tanked due to the controversy over comments about slavery made by former House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo. Those comments led the Legislative Black Caucus to threaten to block the bill, saying they’d withhold support if Garofalo was not removed as chairman. Ultimately Garofalo was removed.

Legislation banning the handheld use of a cellphone while driving passes the House 76-21. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says you can still make phone calls and send texts while driving, you’d just need to use a Bluetooth device to do it…

Cut 3 (11)  “…make a call” 

The bill heads to the Senate.

Legislation that would have increased state unemployment insurance payments starting next year is defeated in the House after it came under assault from lawmakers on the left and right. Conservatives were concerned it would incentivize people to stay home and collect instead of working. Democrats took issue with an addition to the bill that would have created a thousand dollar “return to work” bonus for those currently collecting unemployment insurance in Louisiana. The catch was that those who accept the bonus would be ineligible to collect unemployment for 24 weeks.

NOAA is predicting yet another above-average Atlantic Hurricane season with 13 to 20 named storms and six to ten hurricanes projected by the Climate Prediction Center. NOAA’s lead season hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans is concerned about the possibility of a La Nina forming later in the hurricane season…

Cut 11 (11) “…predicted ranges”

A record 30 named storms formed in 2020.

Housing prices have been brutal for prospective first-time buyers this year and a part of that has to to do with the near quadrupling of lumber prices between now and last year. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says as of May 18^th lumber was up to 1,264 dollars per thousand feet…

Cut 7 (07) “…buying”

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a phone when driving finally makes passage out of the house. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Governor Edwards asks residents who sustained damage from the last few days of severe weather to being documenting that damage and report it to damage-dot-la-dot-gov by May 25^th. Edwards says if we can document enough damage we could receive federal assistance.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. They say between 13 to 20 named storms are expected to form and between six and ten will become hurricanes. NOAA’s lead season hurricane forecaster Matthew Rosencrans says several factors have been combined for them to predict another active hurricane season…

Cut 10 (10) “…West African monsoon” 

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re driving makes passage out of the house. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill would impose a $25 fine for the first offense and $50 for a second violation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…make a call” 

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says new home construction is up about 30 percent from last year and there are more remodeling projects in the works as well.

Cut 6 (12) “…space”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not looking to continue his political career after his term ends in 2024. Edwards says there have been no conversations about him leaving Louisiana to join President Biden’s cabinet, but…

Cut 14 (10) “…consider” 

Edwards says he’s also not considering a run for the US Senate race next year.

NOAA is once again predicting an active hurricane season. Erik Picolli reports on how many storms we could see in 2021…

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Erik Piccoli.”  

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter received a phone call from President Biden and the two discussed Monday’s flooding and hurricane recovery. Biden visited Lake Charles on May 6^th in person and pledged to assist with long term recovery efforts from the 2020 hurricane season. Biden also spoke with the Mayor by phone on Wednesday. Hunter says Biden assured him help is on the way.

Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says his sense is that the price will eventually decline, but the question is when…

Cut 8 (11) “…fall”

Last year lumber prices were clocked at around 354 dollars per thousand feet of lumber. As of May 18^th, that number is up to 1,264 dollars

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not looking to continue his political career after his term ends in 2024. Edwards says he’s also not considering running for any other office before this term ends, such as the US Senate race next year.

Cut 13 (12)“…term”

The governor made his comments on his monthly radio show Wednesday.

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center predicts another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. Acting NOAA administrator Ben Friedman says between 13 to 20 named storms are expected to form and between six and ten will become hurricanes.

Cut 9 (8) “…miles per hour”

A record 30 named storms formed in 2020.

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re driving makes passage out of the house. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill allows for use of Bluetooth and speakerphone. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick feels the law would hurt criminal justice reform and create a negative interaction between the police and the public.

Cut 5  (11)  “…oppose the bill”

The vote was 76-21 and the bill now heads to the Senate.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he is not looking to continue his political career after his term ends in 2024. Edwards says he does not anticipate that he will continue in public life as an elected official once his second term ends.

Cut 12 (07)    “…sector” 

Edwards says he’s also not considering running for any other office before this term ends, such as the US Senate race next year.

Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says prices last year clocked at around 354 dollars per thousand feet of lumber. As of May 18^th that number is up to 1,264 dollars. Chang says folks hoping to build or buy new homes are really feeling that lumber price increase…

Cut 7 (07) “…buying”

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re behind the wheel makes passage out of the house. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has brought similar legislation in the past and Baton Rouge Representative Denice Marcelle says she supports the bill now because it prohibits police from pulling one for handheld phone use to search their vehicle.

Cut 4 (07) “..with me” 

The vote was 76-21 in favor and the bill now heads to the Senate.

Lumber prices have more than tripled over the year amidst a pandemic-driven surge in new home construction and renovation. LSU Forestry Economist Joseph Chang says new home construction is up about 30 percent from last year and there are more remodeling projects in the works as well.

Cut 6 (12) “…space”

Governor Edwards says he used to be staunchly against legalizing recreational marijuana, but like many Louisianans, his opinion is changing. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

A bill prohibiting the handheld use of a cellphone when you’re behind the wheel makes passage out of the House. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill would impose a $25 fine for the first offense and $50 for a second violation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…make a call” 

The vote was 76-21 and the bill now heads to the Senate. 

After a surprisingly robust attempt to legalize marijuana ultimately failed to pass in the House Governor Edwards admits his personal views on the issue are changing. As recently as earlier this year he stated his opposition to legalization, but now admits it’s likely going to happen but before we do it here we need to study other state’s who have legalized it…

Cut 13 (06) “…benefits.”

Governor Edwards made the comments on this monthly talk show Ask the Governor.

Business groups are calling on Governor Edwards to stop enhanced unemployment benefits so more people will reenter the workforce. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Department of Health was joined by a number of pediatricians from across the state in urging Louisiana parents to get their children vaccinated. Currently, kids 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine and there are indications that could be extended to kids five and up in the near future.