The House Ways and Means Committee has begun what is expected to be a critical meeting for the special legislative session. Various tax increases will be voted on today as a way to raise revenue to close at 900-million dollar deficit. A bill to raise the cigarette tax by 22-cents has already been approved by the panel. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics-dot-com says the sales tax bill is the key piece of legislation that’s being pushed for by the Edwards administration.
Cut 10 (05) “to do it”
Alford says many republicans could vote for the sales tax increase, but they want the governor to commit to some long-term spending cuts.
With the state facing a huge money crunch there is discussion at the state capitol about filing a proposed constitutional amendment in the special session that would put to a vote whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana so the state could tax it. Jesse McCormick, head of the Louisiana Cannabis Association, says these discussions need to be had as the state deals with such a major budget crisis that schools could be closed or lights turned off at hospitals…:
But any such proposal is expected to face fierce opposition from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for south central and southeast Louisiana until five o’ clock today. The watch box was issued as a result of a strong line of storms, associated with a cold front. Andrew Ansorge with the National Weather Service in Slidell says these strong thunderstorms also have the potential to produce lightning and hail…
CUT 6 (06) “60 miles per hour”
A wind advisory remains in effect until 3pm Wednesday.
Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary continues today through Saturday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this primary is costing Louisiana $3.5 million during tough budget times. He says switching to a caucus format would save the state that money, because a caucus is paid for by the political parties. Schedler says he has proposed caucus voting to the legislators, but it takes a vote by the legislature to make that change…