State Treasurer John Kennedy reports the December 2015 Net Receipts Report shows total state revenue is down 15-percent from the same time last year. Eric Gill reports…
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The Confederate monument issue was taken up in New Orleans federal court on Thursday, and it appears as though the preservationists are facing an uphill battle. Michelle Southern reports…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Michelle Southern”
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The people of Louisiana want to see multiple issues addressed, not just the budget, in the upcoming special session. Emelie Gunn has more on what this LSU poll found….
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State Treasurer John Kennedy reports the December 2015 Net Receipts Report shows total state revenue is down 15-percent from the same time last year. The report shows a drop in sales taxes, severance taxes, and corporation taxes. Kennedy offers a simple explanation…
He attributes much of the decline in revenue to the price of crude oil. He says the low oil prices are beginning to affect corporate taxes, sales taxes, and income taxes…
The report does not include gambling revenues, fees, self-generated revenue, or statutory dedications the state receives. The state legislature will be looking at increasing state revenues in the upcoming legislative session. Kennedy advises legislators to be cautious in addressing this issue…
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The Confederate monument issue was taken up in New Orleans federal court on Thursday, and it appears as though the preservationists are facing an uphill battle. US District Judge Carl Barbier is considering a plea by four groups seeking to stop the removal of the monuments. Legal analyst Chick Foret says it didn’t seem Judge Barbier found any federal jurisdiction in the case…:
The judge did not indicate when he would rule. Foret says he think the preservationists efforts to prevent the city from dismantling the monuments in federal court are going to fall short. He says Barbier questioned the merit of legal arguments that federal laws and constitutional rights would be violated by the removal of the statues…:
Cut 8 (09) “historic properties”
This issue has sparked passions on both sides since it was initially brought up by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. The New Orleans City Council voted 6-1 to remove Confederate statues in December. Foret says one of the lawyers for the city told Judge Barbier that they are prepared to move forward with the plan, but they need a new general contractor…:
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People in Louisiana want to see a range of issues addressed in a special session, according to an LSU poll. Governor John Bel Edwards has send he’ll call the legislature into a special session in February to address the state’s budgetary challenges. Public Policy Research Lab Director Michael Henderson says they found 66% of respondents want to see a broad range of matters addressed in the special session such as education, jobs, and health care. He says the findings are surprising.
Henderson says there isn’t exactly a good fit between what the public wants and the crisis of the moment that the state needs to address. He says many people may understand what a special session is designed to do…:
Henderson says these poll results show the people of Louisiana are ready to have these other issues addressed, but it will likely have to wait until a later session. He says Governor Edwards and the legislature are going to have to do the work and explain it to the voters.
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President Barack Obama said in Baton Rouge Thursday, the fact that Louisiana voters chose Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards proves elections do matter. Mr. Obama said the people of Louisiana have spoken and Edwards has already proven he will be a leader that isn’t afraid to make big decisions…:
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Edwards is dealing with a $700 million dollar shortfall he has to close in the remaining 6 months of the current budget year. President Obama urged Louisianans, during the town hall meeting at McKinley High, to support Edwards…:
Fresh off his 15 point, 7 assist, 5 rebound outing in Wednesday’s victory over Ole Miss, LSU’s Ben Simmons got a little love from Mr. Obama…:
Simmons said he only found out President Obama would be in town after Wednesday’s game against Ole Miss. He attended the town hall with his father and sister, and was able to shake the President’s hand afterward….: