Of the four Amendments on the ballot, it’s the first two that could change tax collection and deductions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains…
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Those in the 25 parishes impacted by Hurricane Ida are being given another month to apply for FEMA individual assistance benefits. More from Dave Brannen.
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A seven-member Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight is expected to begin its work in December in the aftermath of high-profile beatings of black men, at least one of them deadly. More from Dave Brannen.
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Early voting begins Saturday and while there are a few local elections there are four constitutional amendments on everyone’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Amendment One would streamline sales tax collection in the state.
Amendment Two is one that will impact all taxpayers in the state. Scott says this amendment is considered real tax reform because it removes the ability to deduct federal taxes paid on your state taxes.
Scott says Amendment Three applies to about five levee districts in the state, however, it requires a statewide vote to allow those districts created after 2006 but before October of 2021 to levy an annual tax not to exceed five mills to that will go towards maintaining levees.
Cut 6 (11) “…in southern Louisiana.”
Amendment Four allows the governor to transfer more dedicated funds to fix a state budget deficit. Scott says currently five percent of dedicated funds can be redirected, a vote in favor of the amendment raises it to ten percent.
Early voting continues until November 6th with the exclusion of Sunday, October 31st and the election is November 13th.
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FEMA is extending its deadline for Hurricane Ida individual assistance. Folks in the 25-parish disaster declaration area now have until November 29th to apply for help from the federal agency. FEMA’s Nate Custer says the extension was requested by the governor’s office because of possible communication issues.
Cut 8 (07) “…considered for assistance.”
Custer says more than a half-million applications for Ida assistance have been approved so far at a price tag exceeding 800 million dollars.
Custer says the FEMA funding can help with rental assistance, temporary housing and home repairs not covered by insurance.
Custer says the FEMA assistance can help to get one’s home back to a livable condition until major repairs are completed.
To apply for FEMA assistance visit DisasterAssistance.gov or phone 1-800-621-3362.
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A special committee is being created by the Louisiana Senate that will hold one or more hearings beginning in December on complaints about the use of excessive force by State Police, particularly high-profile instances involving the beating of Black men. Senator Franklin Foil is chair of the advisory panel.
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Foil says state police, the public and others will be invited to comment before the seven-member committee that will make recommendations to the legislature regarding use of force laws.
Foil says this Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will be looking for input from a variety of people with the goal of making recommendations to the full Senate in just over a year.
Cut 12 (13) “…at the Capitol.”
At this point, Senator Foil doesn’t know just how many times the committee will meet
Cut 13 (10) “…with any recommendations.”
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It’s going to be an ideal weekend in Louisiana weatherwise as aftereffects of Wednesday’s cold front remains in control of the fall-like temperature. State Climatologist Barry Keim says lows in the northern parishes will be in the 40s and in the 50s in the southern half with highs reaching into the 70s.
Cut 14 (08) “…no chance of rain.”
If you haven’t made plans already Keim says this is the weekend to spend outdoors and do some gardening, cycling, running, or even work on your golf game, but he also recommends bringing along a light jacket especially when the sun goes and don’t forget one when you’re out trick or treating Sunday.
Cut 15 (06) “…chill in the air.”
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Mark Ingram is expected to be at practice for the Saints today. Ingram returns to the team that drafted him in 2011. Ingram spent eight seasons with the Saints and is the franchise’s second-leading rusher. But in Houston this season, he’s averaging a career-low 3.2 yards a carry. Coach Sean Payton still likes what Ingram brings…
Payton says he plans to play Ingram in Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be a big game for Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston, who is facing the team that drafted him and chose not to re-sign him after five up and down seasons. Payton does not want Winston to try and take the game over…
Cut 17 (22) “ .understands that.”
Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady continues to play at a very high level at the age of 44. Brady leads the NFL in completions, passing yards. touchdowns and he’s only thrown three interceptions. Payton says it’s impressive what Brady is doing…
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La Tech can use a win tomorrow as they visit one and six Old Dominion. The Bulldogs have scored 19 points in their last two games and in those contests they converted just nine times on 27 third-down opportunities. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says they got to get that percentage up…
Tech is coming off a 45-16 loss to UTSA to drop its record two and five. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz took some positives from the game…