It was another wild year in politics for Louisiana. Publisher of La-politics-dot-com, Jeremy Alford, says the first big development was the election of Republican Taylor Barras as House Speaker. That was not Governor John Bel Edwards’ choice and Alford says it set up a contentious battle over tax bills…
cut 5 (09) “….important sessions”
Governor Edwards pushed tax hikes as a way to close a massive budget deficit.

It’s end of the year and Metairie tax preparer Gina Rachel says many will give to charities over the next couple of days so they can receive a deduction on their 2016 returns. Rachel says there are some moves you can do after January 1 that can also lessen your tax bill…
cut 15 (09) “…that as well”

A big story in 2016 was the police shooting of Alton Sterling. It raised the need to improve police and community relations. Governor John Bel Edwards says they’ve asked police departments to re-evaluate how they train officers, but he also says the public has a responsbility to make sure they’re interacting with the police in a proper fashion. He says they are looking at ways to educate the public…
cut 9 (08) “….for example”
An expected announcement from the Department of Justice about potential charges against the officers involved in the Alton Sterling shooting is expected in 2017.

Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton is doing okay today after he was involved in a crash with a stolen vehicle. Sexton’s department issued pickup truck and a State Police patrol car were parked at an exit off of I-20 that stolen car tried to drive through. The collision ended a high speed chase that started in Texas. An 18-year-old from Dallas was arrested.