10:30 Newscast March 21

The discussion over the use of medical marijuana is expected to occur during the legislative session. Legislation was passed last year to allow certain patients to use it, but it’s still not available in the Bayou State. State Senator Fred Mills says there are plenty of people who are waiting to get it…
cut 15 (08) “…medical condition”
Mills says the department of agriculture and a couple of other other groups are still working on the details to make the drug available here.

The state legislature is also expected to address the growing playoff split with the Louisiana High School Atheltic Association. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot has a bill that would prevent a high school from receiving state funds, if they participate in an association with a split postseason…
cut 8 (07) “…A,B-C”
Talbot says the ultimate goal is to bring the LHSAA back together again.

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee meets at noon today to begin going over the 400 or so different tax credits and deductions the state hands out to businesses and individuals. Chairman JP Morrell of New Orleans says the credits or exemptions that are deemed unnecessary will be removed in a potential second special session or during next year’s fiscal session…
cut 12 (06) “….budget crisis”
Morrell says it will take most of this session to go over the different tax credits.

State Health officials are gearing up for a potential outbreak of the Zika Virus, which is a mosquito borne disease which has been linked to birth defects in other countries. Dr. Frank Welch, with the state department of health says once the weather warms up, they’ll have to increase surveillance…
cut 6 (07) “….transmission”
A study from the National Center for Atmospheric Research finds New Orleans is at a high risk because of the high poverty rate and a lot of visitors from countries where Zika is prevalent.