The House has passed legislation to the Senate that’s a combination of budget cuts and tax increases, including a one-cent increase on the state’s 4-cent sales tax. But The House believes the additional penny should be removed after 18-months, but Governor John Bel Edwards wants the penny to stay on the books, until long-term budget reforms are in place
One of the items in the supplemental spending bill that the full House approved includes a mid-year cut to the state Department of Education which amounts to $52 million dollars, according to the Council for a better Louisiana. CABL President Barry Erwin says this would also take away payments for mandated student testing for the current school year. He says some deals were made and essentially the House just wanted to make a statement that they wanted to cut the budget further…:
The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has launched a campaign to build support for a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. George Swift, president and CEO of the alliance, says the “In for 10” campaign is important because the bridge is dangerous for motorists…
The bridge was built in 1952, and the National Bridge Inventory deemed it “basically intolerable” in 2009.
Frank Selas, better known as former Monroe TV personality “Mr. Wonder,” has been indicted on sexual assault charges. Investigators have identified 7 alleged victims as a result of a 1979 investigation, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office. The alleged crimes took place on a camping trip when Selas was a Cub Scouts leader. Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Brian Mosley says Selas will be brought back to Louisiana to face the charges.