As the final hours of the legislative session wind down, House and Senate members reach a compromise on the budget and raising the state-imposed cap of spending to make use of surplus funds. Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) President Barry Erwin says the agreement helps assure a budget bill will be approved before adjournment…:

Cut 10 (09) “…I’m optimistic.”

House members wanted to spend a little of the surplus, preferring to pay down state retirement debt instead. Senators want to invest in infrastructure and other projects. Erwin says the agreement gives House members at least a piece of what they wanted…:

Cut 12 (14)    “…both of those sides.” 

Lawmakers must adjourn by 6PM Thursday with a balanced budget.

The House and Senate unanimously passed legislation to create a tax credit for restaurants that recycle oyster shells. The bill was strongly supported by Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana which operates the only large-scale shell recycling program in the state. Advocacy Director Tyler Bosworth believes saying “no” to landfills and “yes” to slowing coastal erosion is a win for the state.

Cut 4 (11)  “…of Louisiana.’”

The state’s film tax credit will be extended to 2031. The original bill sought to extend the incentive set to expire in 2025, to 2035. But Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says it’s still a great victory for Louisiana, its residents, and workers in the film industry.

Cut 9 (09) “…did that.”

The tax credit is capped at $150-million annually.

As the final hours of the State Legislature’s session wind down, House and Senate members reach compromise on the state budget and raising the state-imposed cap on spending to make use of surplus funds. The agreement lifts the expenditure cap, and applies $400-million to state retirement system debt, while also in investing roads, bridges and other priorities. Lawmakers wrap up their annual business tomorrow evening.

The state’s film tax credit will officially be extended to 2031, once Governor Edwards signs House Bill 562. The bill sets a cap of $150-million yearly for the tax breaks; no more. Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says the bill set up useful mechanisms within the program to track local impacts from the incentives…:

CUT 11(11)      “…our industry.

Capital area Congressman Garret Graves has tossed his support in the fall Governor’s race behind former LABI head Stephen Waguespack. In a minute long video, Graves says Waguespack is “the person in this race who can put politics aside, do what’s right and give us the Louisiana we deserve.” Waguespack and seven others are vying to be the state’s next governor. The election is October 14^th.

Fontainbleau State Park in Mandeville has an all-terrain wheelchair available for people with limited mobility, to explore nature trails. Teiko Foxx has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Foxx.”

At the State Capitol, Louisiana’s film tax incentives of $150-million annually have been extended to the year 2031. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Thorington.”

Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell has decided not to charge two Pineville Police officers who fatally shot a man threatening a child during a call in April. He says the investigation concluded the deadly shooting of 25-year-old Larry Calk was indeed justified.

The M.J. Foster Promise Program, which provides financial assistance to adults who would like to earn credentials to get a job in a high-demand area, is once again accepting applications. Program Specialist Brittany Theriot says the program provides multiple training options…:

CUT 03(12)      “…workforce priority.”

Interested applicants should apply at mjfosterpromise.com.

New Southeastern Louisiana University president William Wainwright is settling in to his first on the job. Wainwright says one of his priorities will be outreaching adults who want to continue their education…:

CUT 14(09)      “…resource for them.”

The Hammond area is growing quickly, and he says SLU is primed for big things.

As things wind down at the State Capitol, lawmakers pass a bill to extend the state’s film & TV tax credits to 2031. Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says the incentives are capped to cost taxpayers no more than $150-million a year, and the six-year extension gives a big boost of confidence for productions that are looking to film in Hollywood on the Bayou…:

CUT 10  (13)        “…very positive.”

This is the first week on the job for new Southeastern Louisiana University president Doctor William Wainwright, whose last gig was chancellor at Northshore Technical Community College. He hopes many of the students attending high schools in the area will give SLU in Hammond a serious look when choosing a college…:

CUT 13(10)      “…at Southeastern.”

Fox 8 in New Orleans reports former Louisiana Congressman and presidential advisor Cedric Richmond was spared a field sobriety test and a traffic citation after he and his son were injured in a single-vehicle crash earlier this year in the Crescent City. New Orleans Police report the incident occurred April 23^rd. They also says the officer on te4h scene reports there was (quote) “no reasonable suspicion of intoxication, nor probable cause to conduct tests for impairment” and a citation was at the officer’s discretion.

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville takes a big step in making their facility accessible for disabled persons, by offering an all-terrain wheelchair to visitors. Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser, who heads up state parks, says it’s part of the state’s mission to create more accessibility options for visitors…:

CUT 07(13)      “…special needs.”

Call ahead to reserve the chair, at least 48 hours in advance.

The state’s film tax credit will officially be extended to 2031, once Governor Edwards signs House Bill 562. The original bill sought to extend the incentive set to expire in 2025, to 2035. But Louisiana Film and Entertainment Association President Trey Burvant says it’s still a great victory for Louisiana, its residents, and workers in the film industry.

Cut 9 (09) “…did that.”

The film tax credit is capped to cost taxpayers no more than $150-million annually.

This is the first week on the job for the new Southeastern Louisiana University president Doctor William Wainwright. He comes to Southeastern after spending the last 12 years as chancellor of Northshore Technical Community College, so he’s familiar with the S-L-U mission.

Cut 12 (13) “…greatness of Southeastern” 

Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville has all-terrain track wheelchairs available for people with limited mobility, to explore its natural surroundings. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves has endorsed former L-A-B-I present Stephen Waguespack for governor. In a video of the endorsement, Graves says Waguespack is the candidate who can put politics aside and do what’s right. Meanwhile Attorney General Jeff Landry has received endorsements from Congressmen Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson in the governor’s race.

Thanks to the M-J Foster Promise Program, some Louisiana adults can go to community college for free and earn credentials to get a job in a high demand field. Applications are being accepted now at M-J-foster-promise-dot-com…
cut 5 (06) “…the program”
Brittany Theriot says this will be the second year of the M-J Foster Program and six-thousand people applied in the first year.

People with limited mobility can now get out on hiking trails and explore the beach in an all-terrain wheelchair at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this will enhance the park’s accessibility for people with disabilities.
Cut 6 (13) “…great outdoors.”
The all-terrain electric-powered chair provides users with the ability to navigate areas of the park not suitable for conventional wheelchairs. Nungesser plans to bring the all-terrain wheelchair to other state parks.

The Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program has set an August 1st deadline to complete a survey for those homeowners who suffered damage from the 2020-21 hurricanes or the May 2021 severe storms. Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development Pat Forbes says based on the information submitted in that survey, storm victims could be eligible for federal assistance….
cut 29 (13) “….reimburse you”
The survey can be completed online at restore-dot-la-dot-gov.

A trio of anti-LGBTQ bills have passed and are headed to the Governor. Will he sign or veto? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Also heading to the governor’s desk is a bill that would extend the state’s film tax credit program from 2025 to 2030. No more than 150-million dollars in tax credits would handed out in a given year. Also receiving final passage is a bill where gun owners could receive a 500-dollar tax credit for buying gun safe storage devices.

Local officials along the I-20 corridor will get an update today and tomorrow from Amtrak on efforts to bring passenger rail to north Louisiana. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross says the rail line is already there, owned by Canadian Pacific…
cut 11 (13) “….doing phase”
Amtrak is seeking funding from the federal government through the infrastructure law to provide the dollars to make this happen.

Financial assistance is available for those 21 and older if they want to get the credentials in order to get a job in a high-demand field….
cut 4 (10) “…as well”
That’s Brittany Theriot, with the M-J Foster Promise Program, who says a full-time student can receive three and six-thousand dollars for their education costs. For more information go to m-j-foster-promise-dot-com.