Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes the congressional district map passed by the legislature, because – he says – it did not create a second majority black U.S. House voting district. On the Talk Louisiana radio show, Baton Rouge Advocate Capitol reporter Mark Ballard says this was expected, when GOP lawmakers showed little regard for constituent groups other than their own, when creating the map…:

CUT 11  (10)        “…base is protected.”

Here’s another “OMG Gas Prices” story. The statewide average cost of regular gas is now $4.13; a 90-cent increase over a month ago. Tulane Energy Institute director Professor Pierre Connor says $5.00 gas is likely to come sooner than later. He says oil companies will reap huge revenues, but put it to good use…:

CUT 08  (10)        “…a little bit more.”

Crude oil at over $100 a barrel means increased revenues in the state’s checkbook. The money comes from severance taxes and royalties. State Treasurer John Schroder says that will help offset the state’s waning sales tax revenues. The bad news, he says, is we’ll all have to change our spending habits until energy prices level off…:

CUT 14  (11)        “…on vacation very far…”

The state’s revenue estimators forecast about a half-billion in energy-related revenues in 2023, as a result of this oil & gas price explosion.

Iberville Parish deputies say their routine traffic stop on I-10 near Ramah turned into a big drug bust. Three Vietnamese-Americans – with addresses in three different states – were hauling over 63 pounds of marijuana. They’ve been booked with “possession with intent to distribute.”