After an advocacy group urges voters to vote “no” on Amendment Eight, we’re hearing from the author of that amendment. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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State Treasurer John Fleming is calling for a major increase in Louisiana’s homestead exemption. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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Saints owner Gayle Benson issued a call to action to her team to respond to a disappointing start to the season. Kace Kieschnick has how her head coach and quarterback responded.
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The shipbuilding industry in Louisiana just got a shot in the arm with the Small Business Administration granting Fletcher Technical Community College nearly five-million dollars. Carrie Cortez, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and workforce initiatives at Fletcher, says the school will use that money to offer hands-on practical training, which the school affectionately calls “boot camp.”
Cut 4 (06) “…and marine electrical.”
Cortez says Fletcher will also use that money for manufacturing-specific business instruction.
Cut 5 (11) “…capability development overall.”
Cortez says Fletcher will focus its workforce training and technical assistance to small manufacturers in southeast Louisiana.
Fletcher is one of 11 organizations across the country which received a portion of 50-million dollars through the SBA’s Manufacturing in America Empower to Grow Grant Initiative.
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After Leaders for a Better Louisiana urges voters to vote “no” on Amendment Eight, we are now hearing from the author of that amendment. Rosepine Representative Chuck Owen says Amendment 8 would prohibit a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary from seizing private property for necessary purposes, known as expropriation.
Cut 7 (10) “…State of Louisiana.”
Owen says according to language in the current law, “foreign entities” are prohibited from expropriating property. He says while the term “foreign entities” could mean someone from across the Atlantic or across the country, his amendment would clarify that as “foreign adversaries” as defined by the U.S. Treasury Department.
Owen says while it has not happened in Louisiana, allowing a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary to get its hands on land in Louisiana could have a devastating ripple effect.
Better Louisiana says it opposes Amendment 8 because since it mentions “agents of foreign adversaries,” it could end up including business associations or economic development organizations. That, it says, could open the door for lengthy and expensive legal challenges.
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State Treasurer John Fleming says it’s time to increase the state’s homestead exemption. Fleming says the current 75-hundred-dollar exemption was set in 1980 and has not increased in 46 years. He says if adjusted for inflation, it would be about 35-thousand dollars today.
And Fleming says Louisiana homeowners should not be forced to keep paying higher property taxes simply because their home’s value has increased.
State lawmakers in recent years have filed legislation to raise the homestead exemption, but business groups and policy organizations have opposed. They’ve argued it reduces vital revenue for local services. But Fleming says local governments need to be more fiscally responsible.
Cut 11 (10) “…help the people.”
Fleming says last November, Texas increased its mandatory residence homestead exemption for school district property taxes. He says on November 3rd, Florida voters will consider increasing the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes.
The State Treasurer says he’s ready to work with Louisiana legislators and other state and local officials to substantially increase the homestead exemption and give much needed tax reductions to struggling Louisiana citizens.
Cut 12 (05) “…governor about this.”
To raise the homestead exemption in Louisiana, it would require a change to the state constitution. A lawmaker would have to file a bill, it would need two-thirds approval in the House and Senate and then approval from a majority of Louisiana voters.
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Saints owner Gayle Benson was uncharacteristically blunt when addressing the team’s 1-and-4 start. She said the performance has been unacceptable, and head coach Kellen Moore says everyone in the building wants the same thing.
Cut 13 (11) “…opportunities moving forward.”
Moore says Benson’s comments will not change the team’s preparation because they were already focused on getting better. He says they work in a results-based business and things will need to improve.
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Quarterback Tyler Shough echoed Moore’s dedication to staying the course and improving. He says he feels the team has a chance to go on a run and change the narrative, and the players share Benson’s expectations for the team.
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LSU is rebounding from a gut-wrenching loss to Kentucky and will host number-16 Mississippi State on Saturday. The Tigers’ defense did not play up to its dominant standard in the loss that the Wildcats walked off with an overtime two-point conversion. Linebacker T.J. Dottery says it’s added motivation.
LSU allowed a 77-yard run on Kentucky’s first play but made some critical stops late in the game. When the Wildcats got the ball back, though, they let them march down the field to force overtime and then gave up the game-winner. Dottery says he spoke with coordinator Blake Baker about what went wrong.
Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor has been one of the most electric playmakers in college football, but he is dealing with a foot injury. He was initially listed as questionable on the SEC availability report, and Dottery says LSU’s preparation will be the same whether or not he plays.
Cut 18 (13) “…out there Saturday.”
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Louisiana Tech is making the 30-minute drive to Monroe to face the Warhawks for the first time in 26 years this weekend. The teams have met 43 times going back to 1953. Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie says his team is ready to write their own chapter in a historic rivalry.
Cumbie says the Bulldogs showed how much they cared about the game they love and their-in-state rivalries in a 32-31 win over UL Lafayette last week. Quarterback Blake Baker earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors after throwing for over 300 yards and totaling four touchdowns in his return from injury.
Cut 20 (18) “…their pass pro.”
Cumbie says Baker will remain the starter against ULM, and backup Trey Kukuk could be available to return to his change-of-pace role after an ankle injury.