The big news of the week in the special session is the House approving an additional penny to the state’s four-cent sales tax. The House added language to the bill that calls for the extra penny to be removed after 18 months. But Governor John Bel Edwards said today that’s not realistic as the penny needs to stay on the books, until long-term budget reforms are in place…
cut 10 (09) “…spoke of”
The governor is also disappointed at the pace the House has been voting on tax proposals, but he’s optimistic there’s enough time for the Senate to act…
cut 11 (09) “…be modified”
The special session called to address a 940-million dollar shortfall must be completed by March ninth.

The Council for a Better Louisiana is raising concerns about a House bill that gives the department of education a 44-million dollar mid-year cut in state funding. CABL President Barry Erwin says this would take away 85-percent of the D-O-E’s remaining cash on hand for the current fiscal year…
cut 15 (10) “….they’re going”
The legislation is heading to the Senate. Governor Edwards is expected to ask the Senate to restore funding to the department of education.

Because of a ruling by the Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals, Louisiana can now enforce a law passed in 2014. The measure requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at hospitals. It leaves just two clinics, one in Shreveport and the other in New Orleans, available for women seeking abortions. The pro choice group, Center for Reproductive Rights, plans to ask the US Supreme Court to issue a stay on the 2014 law.