An effort to extend the state’s 180 million dollar film tax credit program into 2028 was rejected by the House and appears unlikely to pass by the end of the session next week. Matt Doyle has more.
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Business groups are calling on an early end of enhanced unemployment benefits but Governor Edwards says he wants to make an informed decision as to not end benefits too early. Brooke Thorington has more
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The Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone” is expected to cover an area of 4,761 square miles this summer ranging from Louisiana to Texas. That’s according to LSU scientist Dr. Nancy Rabalais who says the low oxygen area in the gulf, where it’s hard for living resources to survive, is about 500 square miles less than previous years but still a disappointing number.
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The current size of the Dead Zone is two and half times larger than the goal set in 2001 making it about three times the size of Rhode Island. Rabalais says she’s very disappointed due to the lack of change.
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The low oxygen conditions began 50 years ago due to agricultural practices in the Midwest and the nitrate loading hasn’t reduced since. Rabalais says the dead zone also has an economic side effect.
Cut 5 (11) “…low oxygen increases”
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The House rejected an attempt to extend the state’s 180 million dollar film tax credit out to 2028 from its current sunset date of 2025.
Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson hammered the bill, saying we can only afford a meager 800 dollar teacher pay raise for 60 million dollars while giving Hollywood 180 million a year. He adds…
Nelson also cited a study that claims the program only generates 22 cents in revenue for every one dollar the state spends on film tax credits.
Alexandria Representative Lance Harris notes the credit is worth about half of the .45 percent sales tax extension that was approved by lawmakers in 2018.
Opponents also pointed to a report that showed many of the productions utilizing the credit are taking in more in credits than they pay out in payroll.
Columbia Representative Neil Riser spoke on behalf of the bill’s author Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt. He touted numbers from the Lt. Governor showing the credit has a 1.3 billion dollar annual tourism impact.
The final vote was 45 in favor with 37 against with 23 members absent. Riser says he would like to bring the bill back for another vote but is concerned the 70 votes needed for passage would be a tall order with the Speaker against it.
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After receiving several letters and complaints from numerous business groups and owners to end the federally enhanced unemployment benefits before they expire in September, Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants to make an informed decision before reacting.
Economist Jim Richardson served on the Revenue Estimating Conference for the state for three decades.
Edwards says as of yet he doesn’t have the benefit of the study, but he does know that Louisiana is heavily dependent on tourism.
Groups like LABI and the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce are calling on state leaders to end federally enhanced benefits to encourage people to return to the workforce. Edwards says however the more than $8.2 billion in unemployment payments is having a positive effect on the local economies.
The Governor says he expects the study to be completed in the next few weeks. He also pointed out that the Federal benefits are set to expire on Labor Day when the majority of students are back in class thus helping those with childcare issues to be able to return to the workforce.
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Two men were struck and killed while changing a tire on the shoulder of I-10 westbound in St. James Parish on Thursday afternoon. State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 33-year-old Jermaine Irvine of St. Francisville’s vehicle veered off the roadway as 33-year-old Daniel Thomas was assisting 50-year-old James Breaux of Donaldsonville with a flat tire…
Scrantz says Breaux and Thomas were pronounced dead at the scene and toxicology samples have been taken from all three parties…
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As of now, no charges have been filed against Irvine. Scrantz urges motorists to be aware of disabled vehicles on the side of the road…
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A flash flood watch is in effect this weekend across south Louisiana. Assistant Professor of Research at LSU Dr. Vinny Brown says we just can’t shake this rainy pattern
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The National Weather Service says there’s the potential for two to five inches of rain with localized higher amounts. Brown says that rain will fall on already saturated soil…