The state House approves legislation that puts spending controls on the TOPS scholarship program. The Senate bill locks in the amount of the award at the 2015-2016 level. Instead of an automatic increase when tuition goes up, TOPS payments would need legislative approval to be increased. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody says TOPS is in trouble without this bill…:
CUT 15 (06) “for the future”
The measure faces a veto threat from Governor Bobby Jindal, who has opposed major changes to the TOPS program.

Eleven revenue generating bills approved by the state House are creating concern for State Treasurer John Kennedy who questions whether they were passed constitutionally. He says the legislature is relying on a 1993 attorney general’s opinion that states that a simple majority is required to suspend an existing tax exemption…
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘even on point”
Kennedy says most of these require a two-thirds majority vote.

Public university leaders are pushing the state legislature to approve a higher education tax credit that’s having trouble getting support in the Louisiana House. Critics say the SAVE fund is complicated and is only offered so Governor Jindal doesn’t break his no-new-taxes pledge. Board of Regents Chairman Roy O’ Martin understands the concern:
CUT 7 (08) “piece of legislation”
Still others say the measure would prevent deep cuts to higher ed.

Headed to the Governor’s desk is a bill that would outlaw revenge porn. The house gave final approval Tuesday to a proposal that would make it a crime to share a sexual picture of someone without their permission with the intent of causing emotional harm.

Legislation that would mean rape victims wouldn’t have to pay for hospital medical exams after an attack has gotten full legislative approval and is headed to Governor Bobby Jindal’s desk for his signature. A measure would use money from unclaimed gambling winnings to pay for the hospital bills. Jindal is expected to sign off on the legislation.