It didn’t take long for Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards to have his first political defeat. Conservatives in the House mustered enough votes to elect New Iberia Republican Taylor Barras as the Speaker of the House over Edwards’ choice of Democrat Walt Leger. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this could be a bad sign for Edwards…

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The US Army Corp. of Engineers has decided at this time not to open the Morganza spillway to divert water from the Mississippi River into the Atchafalaya Basin. Spokesperson Ricky Boyett says the current forecast doesn’t show them hitting enough triggers required to open up the spillway, which means the Morganza won’t have to be used…

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Boyett says the actual flow that’s in the Mississippi River can be safely passed through the main stem of the river.

Governor John Bel Edwards Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says Louisiana has monumental financial problems to overcome, but they plan to lay out options and govern responsibly. He says there will be some tough budget decisions that have to be made, but there are many things on the table…

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Dardenne estimates the deficit in this year’s budget, which ends July 30th, is between $700-$750 million dollars. Edwards is expected to call a special legislative session in mid-February to address these issues.