The Senate Finance committee laid out its plan today for fixing the state’s 900-million dollar budget shortfall for this fiscal year, but they need assistance from the House. Chairman Eric LaFleur says after putting the numbers together through a combination of tax increases and budget cuts, they can close the deficit, if the House agrees to pass more tax bills that will generate an additional 83-million dollars…:
CUT 8 (06) “on Monday”
The full House meets this afternoon where they could decide to raise taxes on cigarettes, alcohol and internet sales.

Bills related to the TOPS scholarship are being filed for the regular session. Senate Education Chairman Blade Morrish of Jennings says one of his measures would change the popular scholarship program so that it’s not 100% funding a student’s tuition…:
CUT 6 (09) “becoming law”
Morrish says bill seeks to raise the GPA requirement for the TOPS award from a 2.5 to a 2.75 and the ACT score from a 20 to a 21.

Public Service Commissioner and former gubernatorial candidate Scott Angelle says he’s running for the 3rd Congressional District seat being left open by US Senate candidate Charles Boustany. There are now five Republicans in the race and UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says with such a crowded field, candidates will need to identify strongly with the region…:
CUT 12 (11) “holds dear”
He says, with this announcement, Angelle becomes the clear front runner.

The NCAA says UL-Lafayette will have to vacate 22 football games as part of a 2 year investigation into allegations a former coach faked ACT scores for recruits. The games were played between 2011-14 and include victories in the 2011 and 2013 New Orleans Bowl. Athletic Director Scott Farmer says while it’s a disappointing ruling, they are glad to finally put this matter to bed.