9:30 LRN Newscast June 1

The Senate Finance Committee will take up legislation this week that would turn the .45 percent of the state’s sale tax expiring in 2025 into a long-term infrastructure-only dedication. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says by 2025 his proposal would generate 350 to 380 million dollars a year to build new infrastructure and repair aging roads and bridges.
Cut 13 (10) “…infrastructure.”
Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich opposes the effort as the state GOP says the legislators promised this portion of the state sales tax would go away in 2025 when it was approved in 2018.

Today marks the start of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season and another above-average hurricane season is predicted. State Climatologist Barry Keim says because of increased activity over the last several years, the storm total for what is considered an average season has gone up…
cut 5 (08) “…new normal”
NOAA predicts 13 to 20 named storms this year.

Starting today, you can get a free drink at a participating restaurant and bar if you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 within the preceding seven days. The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Ernest Legier says it’s a fun way to get more people vaccinated…
cut 11 (08) “..before COVID”
The ATC and the Louisiana Restaurant Association will partially reimburse restaurants and bars for handing out the drinks as part of their “Shot for a Shot” campaign.

Legislation is awaiting discussion on the Senate floor that would set up a grant program for the 180-million dollars the state is receiving from the federal government to expand high-speed internet to rural areas. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel…
cut 8 (11) “….of next year”