The state House rejects legislation that would increase the state’s sales tax by one-cent for road and bridge improvements. Plaquemine Representative Karen St. Germain’s bill overwhelmingly failed to get a two-thirds vote of elected members it needed to pass. She argued HB 777 would help with the backlog in road and bridge projects facing the state…:
CUT 6 (10) “pay as we go”
The vote was 52 yeas and 42 nays and needed 70 to pass.

Two bills that are key parts to a Common Core compromise made it off the House Floor Wednesday. The votes were nearly unanimous and Governor Bobby Jindal is also backing the proposals. Lake Charles Representative Brett Geymann, who opposes Common Core, says he’s appreciative of the hard work that went into coming up with this legislation…
cut 12 (06) “public process”
The measures go to the Senate, which is expected to go along with the bills.

In an effort to increase its international profile and boost enrollment numbers, Nicholls State University has signed an educational partnership with Galliano-based offshore giant Edison Chouest that will allow their employees and family members earn a degree from the school. University President Bruce Murphy says the deal will waive out-of-state and international fees for students connected to Chouest…:
cut 1 (08) “online, as well”
Chouest has approximately 14,000 employees in over a dozen countries worldwide. Murphy says this agreement will bring more international diversity to the Thibodaux campus.