The final minutes of this year’s legislative session were hectic and chaotic, as lawmakers raced to make last minute budget changes and vote them through. Some legislators were angry to see $100-million stripped from Department of Health spending, because they say it will mean the loss of about $400-million in federal matching funds. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says LDH asked House Appropriations for one sum and Senate Finance for another…:

CUT 05  (07)        “…each one.”

Many are angry that teacher pay raises were shunted; offering only another round of one-time bonuses instead.

Bills passed that some say target LGBT persons are destined for the Governor’s Veto pen, says Mr. Edwards, who calls the bills mean-spirited and wrong…:

CUT 06  (12)        “…for example.”

Will lawmakers choose to override those vetoes? That remains to be seen.

An anticipated El Niño has shown up ahead of schedule which could help reduce hurricane activity. Teiko Foxx has more on what else it means for our weather…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Foxx.”

Governor John Bel Edwards and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear have a gentlemen’s bet on this weekend’s NCAA baseball Super Regional between the Tigers and the UK Wildcats. If LSU wins, Beshear sends some Kentucky bourbon. If Kentucky wins, Edwards will send Beshear delicious Louisiana seafood. Game 1 is tomorrow at 2 in Baton Rouge.

In Baton Rouge, at the Capitol, A veto override session is possible after the Republican controlled legislature approves three bills that target the LGBTQ-plus community…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Jeff Palermo.”

A traffic stop on I-10 in Lafayette Parish last night yielded a big drug bust. Sheriff’s deputies say they discovered over 40 pounds of methamphetamine was found in a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Sarah Cea, from Tucker, Georgia. She’s been booked into the parish jail.

The final minutes of the legislative session were filled with chaos and confusion as lawmakers voted on the state’s $45-billion budget. Among the points of contention was the failure to make teacher pay raises permanent and gutting $100 million from the Department of Health’s budget. Some complained they were given no time to read last-minute changes before being asked to vote. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder defended his actions; saying that’s not so…:

CUT 04(09)      “…those bills.”

The Governor is concerned about deep cuts to LDH spending, which may cost the state a lot in federal funds down the road.

El Nino is here. The warming of the Pacific Ocean can and often does lead to calmer and weaker tropical cyclones in our part of the world. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it also leads to warmer weather in general…:

CUT 10(11)      “…to average.”

State lawmakers approved a package of budget bills in the final minutes of the 2023 legislative session that left some legislators angry. Senators were surprised to see the final budget deal result in a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health. Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Fred Mills…
cut 12 (08) “…for that”
Also, teachers will get a two-thousand dollar increase in pay, but the bump in salary is not permanent.

Legislators are also not happy with how House Speaker Clay Schexnayder handled the final minutes in the lower chamber as conservatives yelled at Schexnayder asking him what was in the budget bills. Representative Alan Seabaugh had this to say KEEL Radio in Shreveport…
cut 3 (10) “…a joke”
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says lawmakers had the ability to read over last minute changes in the budget.

An anticipated El Niño has shown up ahead of schedule which could help reduce hurricane activity. Teiko Foxx has more on what else it means for our weather…
Cut 2 (32) “….I’m Teiko Foxx. ”

There is an enhanced risk for severe weather for northwest Louisiana tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night. Damaging wind gusts along with large hail will be the primary threats in addition to heavy rainfall that could result in flash flood. Also a marginal risk for the Baton Rouge area for the start of tomorrow’s Super Regional series.

The regular legislative session is over, but lawmakers could return for a veto override session. Governor Edwards says he expects he’ll veto three bills that target LGBTQ lifestyles. Edwards on a bill to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors…

Cut 7 (10)  “…have to do.” 

If vetoed, a veto session is automatically called, unless a majority of the House or Senate votes not to have a veto session.=

El Nino arrived early, and NOAA is predicting strong weather and record-hot temperatures worldwide over the next few months. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is welcome news for Louisiana’s 2023 hurricane season.

Cut 9 (13) “…tropical season.”

The final hour of the legislative session was chaotic and filled with grumbling as lawmakers rushed to approve a budget. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The 2023 regular legislative session is over, but lawmakers could return for a veto override session. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards says he expects he’ll veto three bills that target LGBTQ lifestyles. Edwards says the legislation is mean-spirited and wrong
Cut 6 (12) “…for example.”
One of the bills facing a veto threat is a measure that bans gender affirming care for transgender minors. Chairman of the Republican House Delegation, Erath Representative Blake Miguez, is passionate about protecting kids from life-altering procedures…
Cut 8 (04) “… singular issue”
If the governor vetoes these bills, a veto session is automatically called, unless a majority of the House or Senate votes not to have a veto session.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling Alabama’s congressional map unconstitutional, might pave the way for a second majority-black voting district in Louisiana.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser leaves Louisiana tomorrow for Australia as he’s visiting the land down under to promote Louisiana as a place to visit. Nungesser says there are several reasons why Aussies would love the Bayou State…
cut 16 (12) “…with us”

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Black voters in Alabama’s congressional districts map case has advocates in Louisiana hopeful the nation’s highest court will also rule that the Pelican State should have two Black-majority congressional districts. Urban League of Louisiana Vice President of Policy Tyrone Walker says the Urban League of Louisiana is urging Governor John Bel Edwards to immediately call a special session so the maps can be redrawn.

Cut 6 (09)  “…what’s right.”

Slidell Republican, and gubernatorial candidate, Senator Sharon Hewitt, who helped craft the GOP-drawn maps told The Advocate ” While she respects the ruling, it’s not a final ruling regarding the congressional maps in Louisiana.”

The 2023 legislative session ended with a wild finish as state lawmakers scrambled to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Even Governor John Bel Edwards does not have a complete command of the specifics. But he knows the spending plan approved contains a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health…

Cut 10 (09) “…down stairs”

The 100-million dollar cut to LDH could multiply if what’s cut is tied to federal matching dollars.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser leaves tomorrow to visit the land down under for an international mission to promote Louisiana as a tourist destination. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28)  “….I’m Jeff Palermo.”

House Majority Leader and Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise had LSU’s Brian Kelly, Alabama’s Nick Saban and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey in his office yesterday as college football is looking to Congress to approve legislation to regulate NIL deals that compensate college athletes. There are a couple of bills being discussed, one of them would prohibit boosters from providing inducements to play for a particular school.

The final hour of the legislative session was chaotic and filled with grumbling as lawmakers rushed to approve a budget. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (37)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to veto three bills that target the LGBTQ+ community. The Republican-controlled Legislature has the vetoes to override his veto.

Everyone is allowed to fish without a license during Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries annual free fishing weekend on Saturday and Sunday. LDWF Spokesperson Rene Lebreton says LDWF has also stacked adult-sized catfish and rainbow trout at 17 pounds across the state as a part of the Get Out and Fish Program.

Cut 8 (12) “…their freezer.”

Fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect this weekend.

Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser leaves tomorrow to visit Australia to promote Louisiana as a tourist destination. Nungesser says he will not just market Louisiana as a destination for tourists.

He says Louisiana is one of three states to receive a grant for $300,000 for the next three years from the International Commerce Department to market international travel to the U-S.

Cut 15 (09)  “…more money.”

Nungesser says there are several reasons why Aussies would like to visit Louisiana.

The 2023 legislative session came to a chaotic close yesterday as lawmakers scrambled to pass a budget for next fiscal year and other spending bills before a 6 PM deadline. The Legislature ended up agreeing to a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health, despite a huge surplus and teachers will receive a two-thousand dollar salary increase, but it’s not permanent. Governor Edwards is disappointed by this development…
cut 11 (11) “…in the south”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser leaves Louisiana tomorrow for Australia as he’s visiting the land down under to promote Louisiana as a place to visit. Nungesser says there are several reasons why Aussies would love the Bayou State…
cut 16 (12) “…with us”

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling Alabama’s congressional map unconstitutional, might pave the way for a second majority-black voting district in Louisiana.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

On Saturday and Sunday, anyone can fish without a license as part of the state’s annual free fishing weekend. LDWF spokesperson Rene Lebreton says the goal is to introduce new people to the great sport of fishing…
cut 7 (09) “….historical levels”

The 2023 legislative session ended with a wild finish as state lawmakers scrambled to approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. Even Governor John Bel Edwards does not know the specific details. But he knows the spending plan approved contains a 100-million dollar cut to the Louisiana Department of Health…
Cut 10 (09) “…down stairs”
The 100-million dollar cut to LDH could multiply if what’s cut is tied to federal matching dollars.

Denham Springs Senator and former Livingston Parish School Superintendent Rogers Pope pleaded with his colleagues to reject the budget proposal because a two-thousand dollar teacher pay raise is not permanent and not enough…
Cut 13 (08) “…we need to do”
Despite Pope’s argument, the main budget bill passed overwhelmingly in both chambers.

Voting rights activists are encouraged by the U-S Supreme Court ordering the state of Alabam to redraw its congressional district map, because the nation’s highest court has determined that state should have two majority-minority districts…
cut 5 (06) “….in Louisiana”
Urban League of Louisiana Vice President of Policy Tyrone Walker is hopeful the U-S Supreme Court will also order Louisiana to redo its map. Republican lawmakers in Louisiana remain confident the map they drew passes constitutional muster.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is encouraging residents to take advantage of the annual Free Fishing weekend on Saturday and Sunday. It’s an opportunity to fish without the need of a license and L-D-W-F spokesperson Rene Lebreton says you also do not need a boat, there are plenty of places you can drive to and just drop a line…
cut 9 (10) “….interactive map”
Fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions will remain in effect this weekend.