The Council for a Better Louisiana says the cuts to the Department of Education made in the House-approved spending bill would take away 85% of their remaining cash on hand for the current school year. Michelle Southern reports…:
CUT 2 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”
Governor John Bel Edwards says the special legislative session aimed at the budget deficit is heading in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. House republicans are hesitant to raise taxes to fill the budget hole, but Edwards there’s been no evidence they can reduce the deficit without raising revenues
CUT 9 (10) “that is not happening”
The special session ends March ninth.
A second officer assigned to the US Drug Enforcement Administration task force has been arrested for allegedly stealing and selling drugs seized in raids. Karl Newman, a deputy with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, was booked on counts of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and abuse of office. State police spokesperson, Maj. Doug Cain says investigators will get to the bottom of the allegations.
Newman’s arrest comes just weeks after another Tangipahoa parish deputy, Johnny Domingue, was booked on drug distribution charges.
A campaign launched by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance aims to build support for a new I-10 bridge over the Calcasieu River. George Swift, president and CEO of the alliance, says the bridge endures heavy traffic every day, and it will only get worse as more industrial projects move to the area in the next few years.
It will take millions of dollars from the federal government to replace the bridge.