Today the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee takes up a proposal by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell that would exempt diapers and tampons from the state sales tax. Emelie Gunn has more…
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The first 8 blocks of Bourbon Street is undergoing reconstruction that begins today. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
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U.S. Representative Mike Johnson is confident Congress will pass a new healthcare bill. Don Molino has more…
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The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee will look at a proposal today that would exempt items like diapers and tampons from the state sales tax. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says his bill would acknowledge that these are not luxury items, they’re essential.
Cut 4 (09) “feminine hygiene products”
The proposed constitutional amendment would be put on the ballot for voters, if it’s approved by the legislature. Morrell says other constitutional amendments already exempt essential items like water, food, and prescription drugs from the state sales tax.
Cut 5 (11) “for their tampons”
Morrell says other states already have similar laws on the books. He says he wouldn’t really be open to adding other items to the list, like one suggestion to include beer in the exemption.
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The House Ways and Means Committee has set aside two days to dive into the intricate Commercial Activity Tax proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The CAT is a sales tax businesses pay on their transactions. So far there’s very little support for the proposal. Franklin Representative Sam Jones will present the bill to lawmakers today and he hopes they will change their mind after learning more about it.
Jones says so far this is the only plan that’s been presented in this session to deal with the $1.3 billion fiscal cliff in 2018, when the extra penny of the sales tax and other temporary taxes expire.
The biggest opposition to the Commercial Activity Tax comes from businesses, who say it’s a burdensome tax at a time when the state’s economy is struggling. But Jones says something must be done to address looming budget shortfalls and provide a predictable revenue stream.
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A major construction project begins today on the first 8 blocks of Bourbon Street. Director of New Orleans Public Works Col. Mark Jernigan says they’ll remove and replace the existing pavement, drainage lines, waterlines, sewer lines, and gas lines. He says this is much needed repair work on New Orleans’ most historic street.
Jernigan says some very important work will be done under the pavement as their aging waterlines need to be replaced. He says this stretch has had 92 water leaks in the past decade, an average of two leaks per block every year. He says pedestrians will have access to Bourbon Street during construction, even if the block is closed to vehicular traffic.
Cut 11 (10) “reconstruction project”
Jernigan says the project will cost a total of $6 million, and construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year. He says visitors can expect to see a new and improved Bourbon Street, but it’s what they won’t see that’s really important.
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U.S. Representative Mike Johnson believes members of the House are moving closer to agreeing on a bill that would overhaul healthcare in the country. Johnson says many Congressmen were frustrated with the previous legislation that was pulled at the last minute but he’s hopeful new amendments will secure passage through the House and Senate.
Johnson says one provision that’s gained support would put cancer patients and individuals with a chronic illness in a separate market place funded by the federal government. Johnson says the state of Maine has done this and it’s lowered health care costs for many…
Johnson says Congress remains committed to replacing Obamacare, because it has caused premiums in Louisiana, on average, to increase by over 32-percent. He also says part of the plan is to give states more flexibility to pull out of Affordable Care Act provisions.
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LSU coach Ed Orgeron was not happy with how his quarterbacks played in the spring game. The contest was moved into the indoor practice facility, because of severe weather on Saturday. For the portion of the game that was played in Tiger Stadium, last year’s starter, Danny Etling, was just 4-of-11 for 53 yards and an interception. Orgeron says they need better play from their quarterback…
Orgeron has said he will not name a starting quarterback until they go through fall camp. That gives back-ups Justin McMillan, Lindsey Scott and Myles Brennan a chance to compete for the job. Orgeron says they plan to put their quarterbacks in competitive situations to find a starter
Orgeron says the play of the quarterbacks on Saturday shows that no one has earned a starting spot….