The House Ways and Means committee convenes today where they are expected to vote on bills that would raise revenue either by increasing income taxes on higher wage earners, keeping the state sales tax above four-cents or eliminating sales tax breaks for certain businesses. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey doesn’t like that last idea…
cut 28 (08) “…other states”

The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation that creates a new website so the public can track how the state spends its money. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the Louisiana Checkbook would provide detailed information on individual state agencies’ budgets…
cut 15 (07) “….that system”
The measure heads to the House floor for further discussion.

A large part of the state is under a tornado watch until 5 PM. The watch box covers southwest, central and northeast Louisiana.

Auto rates conintues to rise as the state has approved double-digit hikes for at least six insurance companies, including State Farm. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says rates go up faster in Louisiana, because the state’s legal climate leads to litigation a lot of times following accidents…
cut 12 (04) “….over accidents”
Donelon says Louisiana also has a lot of uninsured motorists and stolen vehicles.

The State Department of Education is launching the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign. Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert announced the 100-thousand-dollar campaign which is an effort to convince high school and college students to make a career in the teaching profession.
Cut 3 (07) “look like”
DOE will be looking to push the effort at attracting Generation Z of the advantages of teaching through television, radio and billboard ads and their website.

Tremont Waters scored 28 points last night as the LSU Tigers defeated Vanderbilt 88-78. Waters also had nine assists and set the school freshman record for assists in a season.