On Saturday and Sunday consumers can purchase hurricane preparedness supplies at a state sales tax discount. Jeff Palermo has more…
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Louisiana Economic Development creates a business startup program for military veterans returning home from active duty. Don Molino has more…
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A sales tax discount is available for hurricane preparedness items this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, residents can purchase flashlights, batteries, portable generators and other emergency supplies at a reduced sales tax rate. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson…
But Henderson says the full amount of any local sales tax applies to all purchases. He says lawmakers approved this tax holiday to encourage families to buy emergency supplies prior to the start of the hurricane season
Henderson says for more information on what is eligible under the sales tax discount visit revenue.louisiana.gov. He says the exemption applies to the first $1,500 of the purchase price of each eligible item.
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More than a dozen Acadiana residents are behind bars as a result of an insurance fraud investigation by Louisiana State Police. Master Trooper Brooks David says last July they received complaints about 16 individuals who were filing false insurance claims.
David says 13 people have been arrested so far, and three suspects are still at large. Police are actively seeking Brakeisha Broussard of Lafayette, Natalie Miller of Carencro, and Olivia Darbonne of Florida. He says all 16 individuals were involved in a number of fictitious crashes.
David says it’s possible more people may have been involved and more claims could have been made. He says these investigations take time, but every day their Insurance Fraud Unit is putting people behind bars for these crimes. He says these fraudulent claims can drive up premiums for everyone.
Cut 8 (09) “state of Louisiana”
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State Police are asking travelers to make safety a priority this Memorial Day weekend. AAA projects nearly 40 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles over the three-day weekend. Trooper Dustin Dwight says it’s very pertinent that you take extreme caution on the roadways this holiday weekend.
Dwight encourages people to designate a driver if they plan to drink, avoid distractions behind the wheel, and always wear their seatbelts. He says drivers can expect to see more law enforcement on the highways this weekend.
Cut 10 (09) “impaired driving”
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Louisiana Economic Development, along with several partners, has created a business startup program for military veterans. LED Secretary Don Pierson says many soldiers have a desire to start a small business once returning home. He says the idea for the Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program came after hearing LSU’s Baton Rouge campus was helping disabled veterans in a similar way.
Cut 11 (11) “small businesses”
The Louisiana Veteran Entrepreneurship Program is an intensive boot camp at the outset and includes ongoing counseling by small business partners. Pierson says the program will feel like an LSU course, as classes take place on the school’s campus.
After the first year, there are plans to expand the program to other regions of the state. Pierson says they hope this free program for veterans will raise at least 5 million dollars in startup capital and create 100 new jobs. He says this is a great way to return the thanks back to those who fight for our freedom.
For more information on the Veteran Entrepreneurship Program call (225) 578-7555.
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Department of Health Secretary Rebekah Gee made her case to the Senate Finance Committee today, as her department is facing a huge budget cut. Mandeville Senator Jack Donahue says state spending on healthcare has increased $1.4 billion since 2010. LDH spending now accounts for nearly half the state’s total annual budget.
But Gee says this budget reduction will force cuts to mental healthcare and pediatric programs. She says without matched state funds, we won’t be able to draw down federal funding. She adds that healthcare funding benefits the state as a whole, not just LDH.
But Donahue says the Medicaid spending has increased 250 percent over the last decade, and the state can’t afford it. He says we can’t even afford the system we have now.