The special session is at a standstill after the House Ways and Means committee failed to approve any tax reform measures today. Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight brought a bill up for vote to make permanent a quarter of a one-cent sales tax that is set to expire….
cut 14 (09) “….of it”
Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey voiced his opposition…
cut 15 (12) “…two years”
No word on when the House Ways and Means commmitte will meet again. The special session must wrap up its work two weeks from today.

On his monthly call-in radio show, Governor Edwards said he remains optimistic a solution to the fiscal cliff can be reached, but compromise is hard.

The State Department of Education has launched the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign. Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert says the 100-thousand-dollar campaign is an effort to convince high school and college students to make a career in the teaching profession.
Cut 3 (07) “look like”
The campaign will use TV, radio, billboards and web advertising in an effort to reach Generation Z.

Next week it’s the girls state high school basketball championships in Alexandria and the week after it will be the boys turn in Lake Charles. But the LHSAA is having trouble having enough basketball referrees during the season. Assistant Executive Director Keith Alexander says unfortuantely rowdy fans can prevent some from wanting to be a ref. He says the LHSAA has had to take some extreme measures before…
cut 10 (08) “…empty stadium”