A special session is likely next next month, now that the Revenue Estimating Conference has determined the state’s budget shortfall is 313-million dollars. The deficit is the result of lagging tax collections. Economists say the state has been losing jobs monthly since August 2015. House Speaker Taylor Barras says unfortunately, state agencies are in for another round of painful cuts, because the revenue picture is not getting better….
cut 6 (05) “…as a result”
Barras says they also intend to use money from the rainy day fund to also close the budget gap.

State Senator Troy Brown issues a statement that says he will not resign as a result of his recent domestic abuse convictions. There has been talk among senate members about expelling Brown. The lawmaker from Ascension Parish believes that would be a severe punishment, but he’ll respect their wishes.

Long distance runners from across the state and around the state have converged on Baton Rouge for this weekend’s Louisiana marathon. Spokesperson Danny Bourgeois says the course takes runners through downtown, along the Mississippi River, through the LSU campus and historic neighborhoods…
cut 14 (10) “…laught”
Bourgeois says the race is a qualifer from the prestigous Boston Marathon.

Racing will continue at the New Orleans Fair Grounds this weekend, even though the entire track is under a quarantine in an effort to stop the spread of an equine herpes virus. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says horses in barns not exposed can keep racing, while exposed horses under quarantine are monitored for at least two weeks…
cut 11 (04) “…with these horses”
A two-year-old thoroughbred gelding was humanely eutanized right after Christmas, because of the virus.