Louisiana Senators reject two proposals that sought to protect military monuments in the state. Governmental Affairs Committee chairwoman Senator Karen Carter Peterson argued men who fought to enslave people should not be revered and reminded supporters the Civil War has ended:
Cut 13 (10) “is over”
Bill backers called the monuments a reminder of Louisiana’s history and memorials to the state’s veterans.

A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship from 2.5 to 2.75 starting with the Class of 2020 will be heard in the Senate Education Committee today. State Representative Franklin Foil stresses his bill is not about leaving anyone out…:
Cut 8 (07) “asking for”
He says this would also save money to help sustain the TOPS program.

A 12-year-old boy in Baton Rouge was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a suspect involved in a police chase. That’s according to State Police who say cops were responding to a narcotics investigation when an officer involved shooting took place and the man fled. They said the child was crossing the street when he was hit. The suspect was taken into custody and charges are pending. The 12-year-old died at the scene.

A proposed gas tax hike was killed without a vote on the House floor, but there was still ample discussion about the attempt to raise millions of dollars to improve roads. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says even business leaders in her community backed the proposal. She hopes this discussion is not over yet…:
Cut 17 (09) “in a call”
Governor John Bel Edwards is calling for a special session next week that would only take place, if lawmakers are unable to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year.