LRN AM Newscall June 30

More Americans than ever are going to be traveling for the Independence Day weekend. Emelie Gunn has more…

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Lawmakers adjourned from the second special session a week ago today, and they passed 6 constitutional amendment proposals that will appear on the November ballot. Halen Doughty has more…

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The statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign begins today, as law enforcement seek to reduce drunk driving this Fourth of July weekend. Halen Doughty has more…

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Starting today through Monday, more Americans than ever are expected to be hitting the road for the 4th of July weekend. Triple A Spokesperson Don Redman says close to 43 million people will be traveling over the holiday, which is five million more than Memorial Day. He says it’s going to be a very busy time on the roadways.

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Redman says the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in the state is $2.10, we haven’t seen prices this low since 2005. He says the entire country has saved about 60 billion dollars that would normally have gone into the gas tank.

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Redman says if you’re traveling by car try to leave before and after peak times. He says even though many people are hitting the roads over the long weekend, some Americans are using alternate means of transportation…

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The second special session ended a week ago today, and lawmakers proposed several constitutional amendments to be decided by voters in November. President of the Public Affairs Research Council, Robert Travis Scott, says there will be six changes on the ballot in the fall. He says one of them would change the state’s corporate income taxes.

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Scott says in exchange, companies would get a lower flat tax. He says the highest corporate tax is currently about 8%, and this would lower that to about 6%. He says another amendment would affect those who have lost a spouse in the line of duty.

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Scott says one proposal would no longer allow the legislature to set tuition at colleges and universities, and that power would go to higher education boards instead. He says some of the amendments are rather technical, so voters need to do their homework.

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A statewide campaign begins today that seeks to reduce drunk driving this Fourth of July weekend. Jessica Bedwell with the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign will include multiple enforcement efforts aimed at keeping drunk drivers off the road. She says this risky behavior can result in more than just a DWI.

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Bedwell says they also ask people to eliminate distractions while behind the wheel and focus on driving safely. She says they want everyone to enjoy the weekend, but they ask that they have a plan to get home safely before the party begins.

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Bedwell says they are expecting increased traffic on the roads this weekend. She says there are usually more cases of drunk driving when the holiday falls on a day that gives people a long weekend.

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Three of the major Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by David Vitter appeared at a debate in Baton Rouge to discuss why they should be elected on November 8th. Congressman Charles Boustany says he wants to create a better sense of trust between the people and government. He says it’s time to get serious about solving Louisiana’s problems.

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Democrat Foster Campbell apologized for not being able to attend the debate. Congressman John Fleming says he has a record of fighting for what the people of Louisiana want. He says it’s time for Washington to start listening.

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State Treasurer John Kennedy says government is too big and plans to give the power to the people. He says he is strong enough to go to Washington and take his country back.

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