The House Ways and Means Committee begins two days of discussion on the Commercial Activity Tax proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The CAT is a sales tax businesses pay on their transactions. So far there’s little support for the proposal. Franklin Representative Sam Jones hopes legislators will change their mind after learning more about it.
Cut 7 (10) “might be”

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson believes House members are moving closer to agreeing on a bill to overhaul healthcare. Johnson says there was frustration the previous legislation was pulled at the last minute, but he’s hopeful new amendments will secure passage through the House and Senate.
Cut 13 (09) “of weeks”

The first of four controversial Confederate monuments in New Orleans was removed over night. It took about four hours for crews to dismantle the Battle of Liberty Place and then place the pieces on a flat bed truck to be hauled away. There was heavy police presence as workers took down the statue. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the Liberty Place statue will eventually be relocated into a museum or other facility.

Also, taking place today in New Orleans, major roadwork begins on one of the world’s most famous streets. Construction equipment will begin removing the old pavement on Bourbon Street and replacing aging sewer, water and drainage pipes. Director of New Orleans Public Works Colonel Mark Jernigan says pedestrians will have access to Bourbon Street…
cut 11 (11) “…reconstruction projects”
Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.