New Orleans Democrat Karen Carter Peterson has resigned from the Louisiana Senate, ending a 23-year career in the legislature. Peterson says she needs to focus all of her energy on her struggles with depression and gambling addiction. On Thursday, she spoke about her recovery on the Senate Floor
Cut 11 (10) “…for a long time”
But the Advocate newspaper reports Peterson’s abrupt resignation is because she’s under a federal investigation due to financial issues linked to her gambling.

Senate President Page Cortez files legislation in an effort to reduce wrecks on the 18-mile long Atchafalaya Basin Bridge. Cortez says he’s seen multiple 18-wheelers fail to drive in the righthand lane even though signs are posted and other vehicles are traveling at high speeds.
Cut 8 (03) “…do something.”
The Lafayette Republican’s bill will increase speeding penalties to up $2,500.

The chairman of a House committee looking into the circumstances of Ronald Greene’s State Police custody death supports the decision to place L-S-P’s second in command, Lt. Colonel Doug Cain, on administrative leave. Cain is under an internal investigation for having his state-issued cell phone wiped clean of data. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Cain could not answer any questions regarding the sanitizing of the phone because of the investigation. Magee says Cain should have been put on administrative leave as soon as the investigation started….
cut 16 (06) “…hide the ball”

A package of school choice bills has cleared the House Education Committee. Key among them, bills to create Education Savings Accounts to help parents with funding for school options other than public school. Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says ESAs are already benefitting thousands of families around the country…:
Cut 4 (11) “…to that opportunity.”
But opponents of the legislation say it means less money for public schools.