The state’s $38-billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st has passed the House of Representatives. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
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Law enforcement will increase their enforcement of seat belt use in pick-up trucks. Kevin Gallagher has the story…
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The Pelicans’ success has more birds of a feather flocking together, as fan groups sprout up and meet up to watch the team. David Grubb has more…
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The full House of Representatives passes the $38-billion state budget bill. The legislation is the state’s spending plan for fiscal year that starts July 1st. Speaking on the House floor, Appropriations chair and Houma Republican Jerome Zeringue (zer-ANG) says House Bill 1 makes good use of one-time money for the pandemic and from the federal CARES act…:
Cut 4 (13) “…one-time expenses.”
The budget bill has no significant cuts for any department, fully funds higher education, TOPS grants and includes pay raises for teachers and school support staff. On the floor, Lafayette area Republican Rep. Blake Miguez (MEE-gez) asks Zeringue about the nearly half-a-cent temporary sales tax increase; passed in 2016 to address a fiscal cliff. He worries a growing a state budget ignores the impending loss of revenue when it expires…:
Cut 5 (12) “…in the next term.”
Zeringue says he and other budget architects DID take lowered sales taxes into account…:
Cut 6 (11) “…all things considered.”
HB1 passed the chamber by a vote of 94-4 and now moves to the Senate Finance Committee for review.
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Governor John Bel Edwards is dismayed the Louisiana House does not back his proposal to put 500-million dollars towards a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Edwards says thanks to state surplus dollars and federal infrastructure dollars the state can finally make a significant payment towards a project that could cost 2-point-5 billion dollars…
Many lawmakers are reluctant to put 500-million dollars towards a construction project that’s still several years away from happening. Officials have yet to decide where the bridge will be built. But Edwards says a 500-million dollar commitment will show the federal government the state is serious about building this bridge…
The governor is also disappointed the House did not support his proposal to give law enforcement and firefighters a 100-dollar a month increase in pay by using state dollars. Edwards says he’s not sure why the House didn’t appropriate the supplemental pay increase in a funding bill sent to the senate…
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The “Buckle Up in Your Truck” highway safety campaign begins Saturday and runs for the next week. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement agencies will focus on making sure pick-up truck drivers and their passengers are buckled up….
Lambert says they are targeting pick-up trucks because these vehicles are more likely to roll over in a crash…
Lambert says surveys also show drivers and passengers are less likely to buckle up when they are in a pick-up truck….
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The success of the New Orleans Pelicans has led to a surge in popularity for the franchise. Rel Myers, co-founder of The Pels 12 fan group, says fans are meeting up to support the team and local businesses as well.
Over the past few weeks, as the team moved closer to the playoffs, Myers says the franchise has reached out to her group and others to provide support for the growing fanbase.
As the Pelicans return home for Game 3 tonight, Myers says The Pels 12 will be out in full force, and she expects New Orleans to show up and show out as only it can.
Cut 15 (09) “…in that first round.”
Both games three and four have already sold out.
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One of the big factors for the New Orleans Pelicans in their push into the postseason has been the play of the team’s young role players. Coach Willie Green says his staff has done an excellent job in preparing them for this moment.
Cut 16 (18) “…big-time results.”
All-Star guard Devin Booker is likely out for the remainder of the series, a major blow for the top-seeded Suns. Green says Phoenix, which went 5-2 without Booker this season, is still very dangerous.
Pelicans guard CJ McCollum is making his ninth straight playoff appearance and has stressed to his teammates the importance of taking care of business in this pivotal game three.
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Saturday is the LSU Spring game and there will be several new Tigers on the football field for the fans to watch. Cornerback Mekhi Garner is now wearing purple and gold after playing for the Ragin Cajuns and he loves his new coach…
Cut 19 (17) _“…favorite coaches.”
There are a lot of new names in LSU’s defensive secondary. Safety Joe Foucha transferred in from Arkansas and he says they’ll need the summer to bond…