GOP leaders in Washington are planning for the next Congress now that they know a Republican will be in the White House. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Metairie says a strong border security bill is a priority, because the U.S. lacks strong enforcement of the border…
cut 5 (10) “…national security
Scalise says improving the national economy is also a priority.

Duck hunting season opens statewide tomorrow morning as the east zone, joins the West and Coastal zones, which opened last weekend. State waterfowl study leader Larry Reynolds says their surveys indicate there are over twice as many ducks than last November, so it should be a good weekend for some hunters…
cut 8 (10) “…few areas”
The Restore Louisiana Task Force meets at this hour to decide how they’ll allocate 438-million dollars in federal flood aid that was approved by Congress in September. The governor’s deputy chief of staff, Julie Baxter Payer, says the state wants to first provide relief for those, who are most at risk of losing their home due to a lack of immediate resources…
cut 11 (11) “…and disabled”
Payer says they still anticipate Congress will approve another round of federal aid before the end of the year to help all flood victims

Also at this hour, the joint legislative budget committee meets where they’ll vote on Governor John Bel Edwards plan to eliminate a budget deficit that’s over 300-million dollars. The governor’s proposal includes an 18-million cut to higher education.