A few years back, the Governor and state lawmakers plugged a big budget gap by passing a temporary sales tax hike; set to expire in 2025. It generates about $400-million a year for the state. The state House has passed a bill start phasing that tax increase out, starting next year. Bill sponsor Tony Bacala, of Prairieville, says better to start reducing the sales tax sooner, so budget planners face a soft landing instead of a fiscal cliff…:

CUT 05(08)      “…long term.”

Passed by a 67-to-40 vote, the bill heads now for the Senate.

Funeral services are today for East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Nick Tullier, who died after six years of struggling with injuries received when he was shot in an assassin’s attack in Baton Rouge in 2016. Tullier and two others were shot and wounded. Three other law officers were killed, as was the gunman.

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces a bill to reauthorize the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act of 2016 that provides crucial programs to improve the nation’s mental health infrastructure. Cassidy says current legislation is set to expire in September and the new bill also focuses on mental health programs for children…:

CUT 12(11)      “…support children.”

Cassidy’s 2022 Reauthorization Act not only provides mental health services for kids in schools but also for those who find themselves in juvenile detention centers.

Optimism among small businesses continues to wane, according to the April survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. State NFIB director Dawn McVea says a net-negative 50-percent of owners feel the business environment for them will NOT improve, and record high inflation is why…:

CUT 10(07)      “operating right now.”

93-percent of those surveyed report few or no qualified job applicants.