The Edwards administration is urging the Senate to reject the House amendments that were made to the proposed budget for next fiscal year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the Senate Finance committee that the spending plan the House approved is not acceptable, because it will result in deep cuts to programs that assist the elderly and disabled…:
Cut 10 (09) “shortfall”
The Senate Finance committee is expected to approve its own version of the budget in the coming days.

A bill that says underage drinkers shouldn’t spending time in jail received final legislative passage. The measure eliminates the mandate that someone under 21 sit behind bars up to six months if they are caught with an alcoholic beverage. The violation still carries a $100 fine, and offenders could still be cited — but it wouldn’t show up on criminal history records.

NOAA issues its 2016 Atlantic hurricane season outlook today. Emelie Gunn has more on what federal forecasters might predict…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Louisiana is the first state in the nation to expand its hate crime laws to protect police, EMS and firefighters. Governor Edwards signed the Blue Lives Matter bill into law. The NAACP opposes and thinks it won’t hold up in court. But Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says this is long overdue…:
CUT 14 (09) “in place”