Inspection station owners are not happy the state legislature is poised to pass legislation to eliminate the need for vehicle owners to get an inspection sticker. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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For the 32 people who had been running for U.S. House in Louisiana, all their efforts have now gone to waste. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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As a result of this week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision, Louisiana’s legislative leaders say they plan to approve a new congressional district map during the final month of this legislative session. Andre Champagne has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”
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A House bill that would eliminate vehicle inspection stickers is nearing final passage, despite strong opposition from the businesses that conduct the inspections. Janice Aucion of Morgan City says she’s been inspecting vehicles for 26 years and told Senate Transportation that inspection stations keep unsafe vehicles off the road.
Cut 4 (14) “…that’s not obvious.”
The bill author’s, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, says it’s inconvenient for drivers to have to get a vehicle inspection sticker every year or two. He’s seeking to replace the inspection sticker with a six-dollar QR code that drivers would pay through the mail instead of going to an inspection station.
Davey Quinn of Hammond says passage of Bagley’s bill will result in more uninsured motorists, vehicles with tinted windows that are darker than they should be and vehicles that not fit for the road.
Cut 5 (10) “…the people first.”
Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bryan Adams says the state does not need inspection stations to help find uninsured motorists.
Cut 6 (09) “…all understood that.”
Bagley downplayed the role inspection stations have in preventing unsafe and uninsured drivers from getting behind the wheel.
Cut 7 (09) “…safety issue here.”
The bill heads to the Senate floor. If the upper chamber approves, the full House will have to agree to the Senate amendments before it goes to the governor’s desk. Governor Landry supports the bill.
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With the U.S. House elections now suspended in light of the state’s congressional map being declared unconstitutional, that means all campaigns are now null and void. Once a new map is adopted, the process will start all over from square one, with candidates going through the qualifying process in the new districts. Political strategist Lionel Rainey notes that all this comes after the 32 candidates from both parties had already raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on an election that now will not happen.
Cut 8 (08) “…not exist anymore.”
Rainey says Louisiana has entered uncharted waters with this last-minute suspension of the primary election; and as such, there are many unanswered questions – particularly when it comes to how much money the candidates will be able to raise, should they choose to run in a newly-drawn district. He points out that the federal government puts a cap on how much an individual can give to a specific candidate.
Cut 9 (09) “…raise more money?”
Rainey says if the Federal Elections Commission does not grant a waiver given the unique circumstances, that’s going to put the candidates who decide to continue their quest for U.S. House in a very tough spot.
Cut 10 (07) “…they can raise.”
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The statewide average for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is soaring towards four dollars a gallon. Regular unleaded at many service stations is currently selling for more than $3.80 a gallon. Patrick DeHaan from GasBuddy says it seems inevitable gas prices in Louisiana will eclipse four dollars a gallon soon.
DeHaan says this latest surge in gas prices is connected to the rising cost of oil.
Cut 12 (10) “…prices going up.”
The highest statewide average gas price ever recorded in Louisiana was $4.56 a gallon in June of 2022. DeHaan says if peace negotiations don’t improve between the U.S. and Iran, there’s a chance we could see a new record this year.
Cut 13 (07) “…of getting there.”
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With the U.S. Supreme Court striking down Louisiana’s congressional map, legislative leaders say they will approve a new map before the session is required to end on June 1st. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says a session that was coasting along could experience some turbulence over the next few weeks.
Four Republicans and two Democrats currently make up Louisiana’s U.S. House delegation. Alford says Wednesday’s historic Supreme Court ruling gives legislative leaders a chance to pass a map that would add to the number of Republicans in the U.S. House.
Yesterday, Governor Landry announced the suspension of the U.S. House races. But absentee ballots have already been sent out, and early voting begins tomorrow. Alford says the late delay to the congressional primaries is also adding more work for the secretary of state’s office and the local clerks of court.
Cut 16 (06) “…off the ballot.”
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The LSU baseball team begins a must-win three-game series against South Carolina tonight. Both the Tigers and Gamecocks are fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive, and coach Jay Johnson believes South Carolina will give his team its best shot.
Cut 17 (18) “…be highly competitive.”
LSU has not only struggled to hold leads in SEC play over the past three weeks, but it has also had trouble closing out one and two-run games. But Johnson believes that could change soon.
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Louisiana Tech is in Dallas this weekend to take on Dallas Baptist in a pivotal three-game series. The Patriots rank first in Conference USA and fifth nationally in home runs with 91 and counting. In addition to hitting home runs, head coach Lane Burroughs says DBU can beat teams in other ways.
Cut 19 (14) “…an offensive standpoint.”
Senior catcher Matt Houston has been on a hot streak over his last several games. Houston hit two home runs earlier this week against ULM, and Burroughs says that he has earned the opportunity to become an everyday player.