The legislative session’s first revenue raising bill passed out of committee Monday. Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie’s measure would raise the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to 68 cents — matching the rate in Mississippi. Health advocates lined up to speak in favor. Frances Gilcreast, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, is a former smoker and told the committee about how smoking has impacted her life…:
CUT 13 (09) “lung cancer”
Jack Casanova is a cigarette wholesaler and he says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…:
CUT 12 (09) “major issue”
The tax proposal passed on a 11-5 vote. It’s expected to generate an estimated 67-million dollars for the state annually, which could be used towards the one-point-six billion dollar shortfall.

The full House approves legislation that puts an end to the practice of the state transferring money from a transportation fund to State Police. Every year between 65 and 70 million dollars goes from the transportation trust fund to State Police. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry is a former superintendent of State Police…:
CUT 30 (09) “years and years”
The measure now heads to the Senate.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, the House Ways and Means committee will be looking at a bill that seeks to get rid of the state’s film tax credit program by 2019. House Bill 276 is by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris. He says the movie subsidy has gotten way out of control…:
CUT 8 (10) “million dollars”
But others say this is no solution to fixing the state’s budget problems.