The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote on various tax proposals today, including a measure that would increase the state sales tax by a penny. Halen Doughty reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather moving into the state, and schools mostly across the southeast have cancelled classes for today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says those areas are under the second highest of five categories of risk designated by NOAA…:
CUT 5 (07) “entire day”

Every year the Legislative Auditor puts out a report which highlights areas state government could be doing a better job of protecting taxpayer dollars. Daryl Purpera says the found some big issues within the Department of Health and Hospitals including failing to collect Medicaid payments for patient services. He says they are planning to increase the number of auditors within DHH…:

CUT 8 (10) “these issues”

He says auditors are about to start taking a deeper look at how state agencies use their credit cards, travel and collect cash.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will reportedly vote tomorrow on whether or not to approve the sale of Cleco. The company agreed to a sale proposal from an investment group which was approved by CLECO shareholders, so now it’s in the hands of the PSC. This would put the public company in private hands. Macquarie Investments have already said that this would have little to no effect on customers.