There’s a push at the state Capitol to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny, something Baton Rouge Representative Ted James objects to….
cut 5 (09) “….right thing”
James says he would like to see businesses pay higher taxes to help cover the 940-million dollar shortfall.

That topic was up for discussion in a senate committee this morning. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack was testifying in favor of a measure to increase the state sales by more than one-cent, when New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson lashed out at Waguespack and claimed he helped create the state’s budget problems when he served in the Bobby Jindal adminsitration…
cut 10 (10) “,…no credibility”
The special session ends tomorrow night.

Much of the western half of the state is under a tornado watch until six PM tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says a strong line of storms is moving into Louisiana from Texas…
cut 16 (04) “….days”
The Storm Prediction Center has much of the state shaded for a slight chance of severe weather tomorrow.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state government for better water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over 10 years. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss upping the minimum standards for water in Louisiana….
cut 7 (12) “…secondary standard”
Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.