AM Newscall February 12

President Trump campaigned on revitalizing the nation’s crumbling infrastructure, and reports indicate that he could be close to unveiling a potential 1.5 trillion dollar plan. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Lawmakers are optimistic a deal will be reached to fix the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo talked to legislative leadership about what they expect in the special session.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Raising Cane’s recently held their annual meeting in Baton Rouge with a couple of exciting announcements.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson are in Washington to discuss infrastructure plans with the Trump Administration. Reports indicate the President could soon unveil a massive new infrastructure spending plan. Wilson says today’s roundtable discussion is a great opportunity to bring attention to the state’s aging infrastructure.

Cut 4  (09) “additional investment.” 

The reports indicate the President could be seeking as much as 1.5 trillion dollars in new infrastructure spending. Wilson says if the feds put up that kind of money, the state would immediately get to work on a twenty year backlog of projects.

Cut 5  (09)  “put together”

The White House has indicated states may be required to put up additional matching dollars to get access to the potential wealth of federal infrastructure dollars. If so, Wilson says failing to pass a gas tax increase could make it tough to get those funds.

Cut 6 (10)  “federal dollar.”

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A Monroe man has designed a product called Streamleash to help you have better control of your dog. Ian Blaylock says as a runner, if his dog quickly ran in one direction, he would lose his balance and control of his pet. He says Streamleash allows the leash to extend, but the user is in control of the cord length…

Cut 7 (09)  “your dog.”

Blayock says Streamleash features a wrist strap, so you no longer have to grip the leash in you hands, which can be difficult to do if you are on a long walk or run. He says if you dog starts sprinting in a different direction, he just squeezes his hand the leash locks into place…

Cut 8 (07) “in control.”

Blayock has a Kickstarter campaign in the hopes of raising $55,000 so he can create an initial order of 2,000. He says retractable leases are useless for training, but he hopes the Streamless can be instrumental in creating an obedient dog…

Cut 9 (11)  “leader of the pack.”

So far, the Kickstarter project has raised 21-hundred-dollars.  Blaylock says orders made through the website will begin being delivered in May.

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Legislative leaders are optimistic the February special session will end with a deal to fill the one billion dollar budget gap that’s the result of the expiration of sales taxes in July. The session will begin February 19th, and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Reynolds says the two sides are getting close on an agreement.

Cut 10 (09) “this done”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s open to making any deal that does not include renewing a temporary one cent sales tax that’s set to expire. Reynolds says it’s a non-starter for any negotiation.

Cut 11 (08) “look at”

House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris of Alexandria says he’s looking forward to closing the deal with his colleagues in the capital.

Cut 12 (09) “get there.”

Governor Edwards has pushed for replacing the expiring one cent sales tax by eliminating certain sales tax deductions that benefit certain businesses. Harris says he’s open to eliminating those deductions, if it’s coupled with spending reductions.

Cut 13 (11)  “payers pockets”

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Mangers and operators of Raising Canes attended a conference recently in Baton Rouge, celebrating the company’s success since opening their first store near the LSU campus in 1996.  CEO Todd Graves had an exciting announcement for attendees.  Some big expansions are taking place in a couple of areas special to Graves…

Cut 14 (12) “in Hawaii.”

The company will also expand to New Mexico, giving 360 locations in 26 states, making them a top 100 choice among fast food chains in America.  80 new locations are planned for this year.  Stores are also operating overseas in the Middle East.  Graves says he is very specific as to what he expects from each operation…

Cut 15 (12) “recreated here.”

He’s proud to show his store managers who come into Baton Rouge how things started.  They all get to work for a short time in store number one…

Cut 16 (07) “we’re going.”

Graves and his wife Gwen are very involved in the community, donating as much as 27-percent of their profits to help with education, feeding the hungry and pet welfare.

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