A bill filed for the regular session seeks to fully fund TOPS by using a portion of riverboat gaming revenue. For the first time ever, the popular taxpayer funded scholarship didn’t cover all of a student’s tuition costs this year. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says he wants to make sure the program isn’t underfunded in the future…:
Cut 7 (08) “a year”
He says if this bill passes, TOPS would have to be fully funded before riverboat gaming revenues can be used on other items in budget.

Louisiana’s revised coastal restoration master plan will be discussed in the session as part of the governor’s proposals. Jennings Senator Blade Morrish co-authored the legislation…:
Cut 13 (07) “can afford”
The bill contains 120 projects to be completed in the next five years that will maintain over 800 square miles of coastal land.

A survey from the Department of Education finds most Louisiana families are satisfied with their early childhood provider. Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office reports that, for the first time in history, more people died from accidental drug related deaths last year than homicides in The Big Easy. Dr. Jeffrey Rouse said 211 overdoses eclipsed 175 murders in 2016.