The state should get a better idea of the exact budget deficit during today’s Revenue Estimating Conference meeting. LSU Economist Dr. Jim Richardson serves on the panel and he says most people believe there is a $30 million dollar deficit for this fiscal year, and $800 million for next…:
CUT 6 (08) “deal with”
Richardson says they’re required to give their best estimate of how much was raised for this year and next year because budgets must be made based on those revenue estimates.

Interstate 10 at the Sabine River, near the Texas State Line, is closed to traffic in the east and westbound directions due to flooding. State Police says currently the primary re-route will be I-49 North to US 190 West if you’re headed to The Lone Star State today. 23 parishes are now federally declared disaster areas and officials are urging those affected by floods to sign up for aid online at emergency.la.gov.

Cleco says they’ve made changes to their proposed sale of the Pineville-based utility company that would benefit customers and employees. Cleco President Darren Olagues says if the Public Service Commission reserves its turn down, ratepayers will receive a $370 credit on their bill. He also says the workforce would be assured for at least 10 years…:
CUT 7 (07) “of the day”
Logan Atkinson-Burke, with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, says this revised proposal is still not in the interest of ratepayers, because Cleco already has one of the highest rates…:
Cut 9 (09) “already suffering”

A major owner of casinos in Louisiana, Pinnacle Entertainment, says a deal is in place to sell the company’s real estate assets. Stockholders agreed to sell 14 of its 15 properties to Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc, then lease back the casinos. Pinnacle owns L’Auberge in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles and Boomtown in New Orleans and Bossier City. The gaming board would still need to approve the deal.