Governor John Bel Edwards describes the proposed one cent sales tax increase as a bridge to get the state to a new, more stable tax structure. He says voters will have an opportunity in the future to repeal the tax hike in favor of a new income tax structure. Edwards believes the $750 million dollar budget deficit is so bad that new revenue is necessary to fix it…:
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A special session to address the matter begins February 14th.

A 5-year-old child who sustained life threatening injuries in a West Monroe fire Sunday, has died. The State Fire Marshal’s Office says Prince Halley Owojori passed this morning. His father and mother and 7 month old brother remain on life support but they are not expected to survive. Investigators believe faulty electrical wiring in the attic of their home started the deadly blaze.

Officials at the Port of Natchitoches says the massive contained burn chamber that will be used to dispose of the millions of pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden, will arrive on February 2nd, and make it’s way to the Louisiana National Guard center on February 12th. Col. Pete Schneider the chamber is currently traveling on the Mississippi River and will make its way to Camp Minden beginning February 8th…:
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He says the container is more than 400,000 pounds.

The Department of Health and Hospitals submitted two plans to the Division of Administration today that outline how $131 million in cuts would be spread across the Medicaid program to address the current budget shortfall. They say both options would have a catastrophic impact to those being served and rely on Medicaid, insurance companies who administer the Bayou Health Plan, and hospitals and other providers.