Eleven revenue generating bills previously approved by the House were also passed by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The measures raise an estimated 615-million dollars. Benton Senator Robert Adley on why they need this legislation to pass…
cut 12 (10) “…hospitals and universities”
The senate panel also agreed to increase Louisiana’s cigarette tax by 32-cents, to 68-cents for a pack of cigarettes. But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell indicated the proposed tax could go up even more as the bill moves through the legislative process…
cut 14 (09) “…final disposition”
The bills head to the Senate Finance committee for more discussion.

Tuesday the House Civil Law Committee will hear Bossier City Representative Mike Johnson’s controversial religious freedom bill. Johnson says HB 707 would prevent adverse treatment from the state of any person or entity on the basis of their religious views on marriage, while opponents say it legalizes discrimination. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat doesn’t think the outlook for this bill is good…
cut 4 (07) “…probably not”
The committee is also expected to hear a bill by New Orleans Representative Austin Badon that would protect someone from being fired from a job or denied housing because of their sexual orientation. Pinsonat feels this bill will be shot down as well…
cut 5 (09) “…no to this”
The committee hearing gets underway at 9 AM.