This is the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report…I’m Halen Doughty
The House approved a 22-cent tobacco tax increase, which would increase the state’s tax on a pack of cigarettes to a $1.08. It’s the first revenue generating bill the lower chamber has passed in several days. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is the author of the measure…
Cut 9 (12) “….product”
Marksville Representative Robert Johnson is glad legislation is moving, but they still have a long way to go….
Cut 23 (09) “solve it”
The cigarette tax bill still needs to be approved by the Senate and it appears the legislature will approve a one-cent increase to the state sales tax. Senate President John Alario likes the direction that budget talks are heading…
Cut 10 (07) “….to it”
The special session must end March 9th.
Covington Representative John Schroder says the budget issue is far from being resolved. He says even though they are closing in on fixing this fiscal year’s shortfall, there is another deficit to consider for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.
Cut 24 (10) “a billion”
Lawmakers have started filing bills for the regular session to change the TOPS scholarship program. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says he has filed about a dozen TOPS-related bills, one of which would raise the requirements to qualify for the scholarship.
Morrish says one of his bills seeks to raise the GPA requirement for TOPS award from a 2.5 to a 2.75 and the ACT score from a 20 to a 21.