The special session is coming back to life, as lawmakers are convening Sunday to hear a series of tax and Medicaid proposals. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The 14-year tenure as chairman of the Republican Party ends on Saturday for Roger Villere. Jeff Palermo has more on how the party has changed during that time…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.
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Officials are investigating a shooting that injured two people on the campus of Southeastern Louisiana in Hammond early Friday morning. University spokesperson Tonya Lowentritt says the shooting stemmed from a fight involving students and others who do not attend the school…
Cut 3 (13) “life threatening.”
Officials say several individuals were near the assembly hall, where basketball games are played when the shooting occurred…
Cut 4 (07) “under investigation.”
Governor Edwards released a statement that says “the state is ready to mobilize every available resource…to assist in this investigation.” The campus is open as normal today.
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After five days of stalled negotiations, lawmakers are optimistic that legislation will begin moving forward when legislators convene Sunday afternoon. Lake Charles Republican Representative Steven Dwight’s bill to extend a portion of the expiring one penny sales tax will be heard, and he says he’s optimistic about its chances…
Medicaid reform is also on deck, with a proposal from West Monroe Republican Representative Frank Hoffman to implement work requirements for beneficiaries. New Orleans Democratic Representative Walt Leger’s bill to reduce itemized tax deductions will also be heard. Dwight says it’s something for both parties.
Baton Rouge Democratic Representative Ted James says after a week of haggling, the legislature is showing some signs of life.
If the proposals advance out of committee, they would then be heard on the House floor. James says a plan to solve the fiscal cliff could still be a ways off, with Democrats balking at allowing the state to keep special sales tax exemptions for certain industries.
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Louisiana Republican Party chairman Roger Villere relinquishes his role on Saturday after 14-years. It’s believed he’s the longest serving chairman of a state party in the country. Villere says during that time, the political demographics have changed, as the GOP is the dominant party for statewide offices…
When Villere took over as GOP Chair, the only Republican statewide official was the late Secretary of State Fox McKeithen. Now it has completely flipped the other way. Villere says there’s also been an increase in registered Republican voters…
A new party chairman will be elected on Saturday at the Old State Capital in Baton Rouge, where the Republican State Central Committee will meet. Villere says the goal for the new chairman should work on getting more Republican mayors elected…
Villere says he will still be involved in the Republican Party by starting a consulting group to get a GOP prepared to run against 2nd District Democrat Congressman Cedric Richmond.
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The Storm Prediction Center has north Louisiana under a slight risk for severe weather for Saturday. Forecaster Davyon Hill with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says warm unstable air will collide with a cooler air mass
Hill says if you were planning on busting out the grill and enjoying a nice spring weekend, you’re in for a nasty surprise.
Hill says the entire state should see rain on Saturday, but most of the nasty weather will remain in the north.