Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer passed away this morning, he served as governor from 1988 to 1991. Former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer only served one term but became a successful banker.

Cut 4 (05) “…American people. 

Roemer was 77.

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children survey of 600 voters finds over three-quarters support dedicating revenue from sports betting to fund early childhood education. LPIC Executive Director Dr. Libbie Sonnier says it would cost 86 million dollars a year to guarantee early childhood. Sports betting is estimated to generate 10 to 30 million a year…

Cut 11 (08) “….dent.”

Passing a tax reform bill is a major priority for Republicans and the Legislative Black Caucus is withholding support because they are upset state representative Ray Garofalo is still House Education Chairman after suggesting there was some good that came out of slavery. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 8 (11) “…this.” 
Despite calls from the Black Caucus, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has not removed Garofalo as House Education Chairman.

The deadline to file 2020 federal taxes for the country is today however Louisiana residents still have until June 15^th due to the February winter storms. Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Brad Tate you don’t have to claim income on any stimulus check received in 2020, however, if you failed to receive one…

Cut 5 (07)”…do that.”

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has passed away at the age of 77. Roemer was Louisiana’s governor from 1988 to 1991. Before that, he served as a U-S Representative for over seven years. His former chief of staff Len Sanderson says Roemer was a compelling person

Cut 3 (10)  “…electric personality” 

The deadline to file 2020 federal taxes for the country is today however Louisiana residents still have until June 15^th due to the February winter storms. Filing your 2020 taxes presents a few oddities, for example, if you received unemployment, Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Brad Tate…

Cut 4 (07)“…tax return.”

If you filed your taxes before the law was changed Tate says there’s no need to amend your taxes, the IRS will send your return.

The Legislative Black Caucus is not supporting Republican-backed tax reform bills unless state representative Ray Garofalo is removed as House Education Chair. During a contentious committee debate about banning divisive teaching on race, Garofalo said the state should teach “the good, the bad, the ugly” of slavery. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that outraged Black lawmakers…

Cut 7 (08)  “…apology.”
At the moment House Speaker Clay Schexnayder is keeping Garofalo as House Education Chair.

The deadline to apply for the 100^th Louisiana State Police Cadet Class is May 24^th. Trooper Monroe Dillon says cadet training offers several opportunities in law enforcement for example detective, narcotics, street patrol, and more.

Cut 15 (12)“…anyone’s liking.”

Former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has passed away at the age of 77. Roemer served as Louisiana’s governor from 1988 to 92. Before that was a Congressman. Roemer was known as a reformer when he was sworn in as governor at the age of 44. He helped increase teacher pay and also worked to improve the state’s environment.

While the rest of the country is racing to file their taxes today, Louisiana is one of three states whose federal tax deadline is June 15th instead. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington”

Tax reform legislation that Republicans are pushing in this legislative session may not happen, because the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus is upset with House leadership for failing to remove state representative Ray Garofalo as House Education Chairman. Garofalo suggested there was some good with slavery and Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says black lawmakers are not accepting his apology…
cut 9 (06) “…view”
A tax reform bill needs two-thirds support and there are enough black lawmakers in the House to keep that legislation from passing.

State Police is seeking cadets for its 100th Cadet class that will begin training in October. Trooper Monroe Dillon says like other professions, recruiting has become a challenge….
cut 14 (09) “…challenges”
For more information you can visit the State Police’s Facebook Page for more information.

A poll is released that shows most voters support sending tax revenue generated by sports betting to early childhood education. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A sports betting tax bill could be heard on the Senate floor this week. A bill that could be heard on the Senate floor today is the legislation that would allow college athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness. Six states have a similar law that would go into effect in July.

Passing a tax reform bill is a major priority for Republican lawmakers but that effort has hit a stumbling block as the Legislative Black Caucus is withholding support because they are upset state representative Ray Garofalo is still House Education Chairman after suggesting there was some good that came out of slavery. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
cut 8 (11) “…pass this”
Despite calls from the Black Caucus, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has not removed Garofalo as House Education Chairman.

State Police is looking for men and women who want to be a part of the Louisiana State Police’s 100th Cadet Class. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the historic class will begin in early October, but participants need to apply by next Monday…
cut 13 (10) “….this class”

A State Capitol observer says a dispute between Black Caucus members and House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo related to Garofalo’s comments about slavery threatens to tank major tax reform legislation. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Tomorrow the full House will debate whether recreational marijuana use should be legalized in Louisiana. The debate on the House floor has been postponed twice as the bill’s author, Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson, tries to secure the 53 votes needed for passage.

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children survey of 600 people finds over 75-percent of Louisiana voters support dedicating tax revenue from sports betting to early childhood education. LPIC Executive Director Dr. Libbie Sonnier says there’s an ongoing debate as to where to send revenue from the soon-to-be-available activity. She says most voters agree early childhood education is the best option…
Cut 10 (08) “….learn”
The full Senate could debate a sports betting tax revenue bill today.

It’s tax day for most Americans, but not in Louisiana as the federal and state deadline was pushed back months ago to June 15th. But Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Ben Tate, says if you need an extension beyond June 15th, you might want to file the extension request today….
cut 6 (05) “…file those”

The Legislative Black Caucus is not supporting Republican-backed tax reform bills unless state representative Ray Garofalo is removed as House Education Chair. During a contentious committee debate about banning divisive teaching on race, Garofalo said the state should teach “the good, the bad, the ugly” of slavery. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that outraged Black lawmakers…
Cut 7 (08) “…apology.”
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder at the moment is keeping Garofalo as House Education Chair.

According to the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, they found that over 75-percent of likely voters in Louisiana support taxes on sports betting to fund early care and education. Senator Rick Ward’s bill would deposit proceeds into the general fund, but L-P-I-C Director Doctor Libbie Sonnier says the money should be dedicated…
cut 12 (11) “….dedicated”
While the rest of the country is racing to file their taxes today, Louisiana is one of three states whose federal tax deadline is June 15th instead. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington”

While the rest of the country is racing to file their taxes today, Louisiana is one of three states whose federal tax deadline is June 15^th instead. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington”

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A dispute between Black Caucus members and House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo related to Garofalo’s comments about slavery threatens to tank major tax reform legislation. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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A poll is released ahead of today’s House floor discussion of regulating sports betting that shows most voters support sending all revenue generated by the activity to early childhood education. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The deadline to file 2020 federal taxes for the country is today however Louisiana residents still have until June 15^th due to the February winter storms. Filing your 2020 taxes presents a few oddities, for example, if you received unemployment, Senior Tax Manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois in Baton Rouge, Brad Tate…

Cut 4 (07)“…tax return.”

Tate says if you did already file your taxes before the law was changed to not tax less than ten thousand of unemployment there’s no need to amend your taxes, the IRS will send your return.

Tate says you also don’t have to claim income on any stimulus check received in 2020, however, if you failed to receive one…

Cut 5 (07)”…do that.”

Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma residents were given an extension until June 15^th to file their federal taxes but due to the way e-filing is set up, Tate says if you need more time to file…

Cut 6 (05) “…file those.”

In the past state, taxes would be due a month after federal taxes in Louisiana however state income taxes are June 15^th also.

__________________________________

The Legislative Black Caucus says they will block a series of tax reform bills unless House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo is removed for comments he made about slavery in committee.

During a contentious debate about education policy Garofalo said the state should teach “the good, the bad, the ugly” of slavery. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that outraged Black lawmakers…

Cut 7 (08)  “…apology.”

Garofalo apologized and moments after making the statement said he misspoke, but according to reporting by The Advocate, the apology was insufficient to many Black lawmakers, who were also frustrated about other insensitive comments made by white Republican lawmakers throughout the session.

Pinsonat says revenue-neutral legislation that would lower the state income tax in exchange for removing deductions for federal taxes is the GOP’s priority this year, and it’s now at risk…

Cut 8 (11) “…this.” 

All tax-related bills need two-thirds support for passage in the Legislature.

Pinsonat says normally these kinds of inter-personal disputes are handled in private, but now that the issue is public both sides are digging in…

Cut 9 (06) “… view.”

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A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children survey of 600 voters finds over three-quarters support dedicating revenue from sports betting to early childhood education.

LPIC Executive Director Dr. Libbie Sonnier says there’s an ongoing debate as to where to send revenue from the soon-to-be-available activity. She says most voters agree early childhood is the best option…

Cut 10 (08) “….learn”

63 percent of Republicans and 72 percent of Democrats supported dedicating those funds in statute to early childhood education instead of sending it to the general fund.

Sonnier says it would cost 86 million dollars a year to guarantee early childhood education for all at-risk and underserved Louisiana kids. Sports betting is estimated to generate 10 to 30 million a year…

Cut 11 (08) “….dent.”

Monday the House will take up a bill regulating sports betting. It includes a ten percent tax on gaming at dedicated establishments and 15 percent on online gaming.

There’s widespread legislative support for increasing early childhood funding but resistance to creating yet another dedicated source of revenue. Sonnier says the funds must be dedicated.

Cut 12 (11) “…dedicated”

The concern with dedicating the sports betting funds is that should the state face an economic downtown it would be unable to draw from those funds to make a balanced budget.

______________________________

The deadline to apply for the 100^th Louisiana State Police Cadet Class is approaching.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says the historic class will begin in early October, but participants need to apply by May 24^th.

Cut 13 (10) “…this class.”

The 100^th class has been delayed for two years due to COVID and budget restrictions but is now set for the fall.

Dillon says they are seeking qualified candidates to complete the 23-week academy. Cadets will receive training in firearm proficiency, de-escalation techniques, and leadership skills to name a few. Like other professions, Dillon says recruiting has become a challenge for LSP.

Cut 14 (09) “…challenges.”

A common misconception about the cadet class is that it only leads to a career as a police officer. Dillon says the cadet training offers several opportunities in law enforcement for example detective, narcotics, street patrol, and more.

Cut 15 (12)“…anyone’s liking.”

For more information about the class, you can visit the Louisiana State Police’s Recruiting Facebook page. The deadline for applicants is May 24^th and testing begins on the 28^th.

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In a game that LSU needed to win to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive, the Fighting Tigers jumped out to a 5-to-nothing lead and went on to beat Alabama 13-5 to win the series over the Crimson Tide, who is also on the bubble to make a Regional. Coach Paul Mainieri is impressed with how his team played

Cut 16 (16) “…all year”

On Senior Day, senior right-hander Ma’Khail Hilliard allowed three runs in five innings and struck out seven to improve his record to 5-0. Hilliard says he entered the game determined to get a win

Cut 17 (17) “…good feeling.”

LSU hit four home runs on the day. Giovanni DiGiacomo hit two home runs, his first two of the season. DiGiacomo says they knew they needed to score runs after losing by one run on Saturday…

Cut  18 (18)”…whole game.”

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Louisiana Tech is champions of the Conference USA West division after beating UTSA 17-7 in seven innings coupled with Florida Atlantic defeating Southern Miss. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says they found out about the Golden Eagles loss during their game…

Cut 19 (20) “…SEnior Day.” 

Burroughs says it’s quite an accomplishment when you consider a tornado destroyed their stadium over two years ago, leaving them without a place to play or practice…

Cut 20 (20) “…every day” 

Legislation allowing St. Tammany residents to vote on whether a casino should be built on the water in Slidell is approved by the House. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (33) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor John Bel Edwards adopts new CDC guidelines for Louisiana that allow those who are fully vaccinated to be indoors and non socially distanced in most situations without needing a mask. This comes as just under a third of all Louisianans have completed their vaccine series.

Gas prices in Louisiana continue to rise as AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average is 2.72 a gallon for regular gasoline, which is up eight cents in the last week. Redman says there’s enough gasoline to meet the increasing demand for fuel. He says a big issue at the moment is distribution…

Cut 10 (11) “..truck drivers.” 

Baton Rouge high school basketball sensation, LSU legend and WNBA superstar Seimone Augustus has retired at the age of 37. Augustus led LSU to a 121-19 record from 2002 to 2006, including three straight final four appearances. The Lady Tigers also went to the Final Four two straight years after she left.  voice of the Lady Tigers Patrick Wright says Augustus went on to win four WNBA titles….

Cut 13 (09)“…way around”