A bill that would require students starting high school this fall to have at least a 2.75 GPA when they graduate in order to receive the TOPS scholarship barely won approval in the House. Non-tax bills need 53 votes to pass and this legislation received 53 “yes” votes.The current GPA requirement is 2.5 and Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there is a reason his bill wouldn’t take effect for 4 years…:
Cut 14 (10) “this fall”
The measure heads to the Senate, but Senate President John Alario previously said the upper chamber opposes this legislation.

Air Force Two carrying Vice-President Mike Pence is set to land at Baton Rouge Metro Airport next hour. The Vice President will then head to Port Allen for a listensing session with local business leaders.

The House is scheduled to debate a bill this afternoon that would increase the state’s gasoline tax by an additional 17-cents per gallon at the pump. The Louisiana Republican Party opposes the legislation. GOP chairman Roger Villere says it will have a negative impact on our economy….
cut 7 (11) “….good business”
A vote could be delayed until early next week as the bill’s author is still trying to drum up the two-thirds vote needed to pass the legislation.

A Senate committee has approved a House bill that would increase the fees for parolees so that parole officers can receive a raise. New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson opposes the measure. She says state employee raises should be funded in the budget bill…
cut 13 (12) “….to us”
The parolee fee bill heads to the Senate finance for more discussion.