A bill inspired by flood victim’s horror stories of wreckless drivers pushing water into their homes is being proposed for the upcoming regular session. Matt Doyle has more.
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You may have seen some savings from the federal tax bill in your paycheck, but it will be summertime before you see it on your utility bill. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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One north Louisiana sheriff is asking schools to allow teachers to carry guns. Kelley Ray has more on this heated topic…
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Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor is proposing a bill that would fine wreckless drivers for creating potentially dangerous wakes while driving through flooded areas. The bill would add a new specification to existing law that would fine drivers up to 500 dollars, with potential for 90 days in jail. Claitor says the legislation was inspired by flood horror stories from his constituents.
Claitor says passing the bill could help cut down on such incidents.
Cut 5 (05) “people’s attention.”
If the bill passes, Claitor says you’ll be able to report wreckless flood zone drivers to the authorities.
The bill would also extend these laws to watercraft used during flood situations.
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Taxes are down 14 percent for utility companies in the wake of the federal tax overhaul, but Louisianans haven’t seen lower rates. The Public Service Commission says they anticipate lower rates as a result, but Commissioner Lambert Boissierre says you could be waiting until summer to see the change.
Boissierre says the new tax structure means the PSC will have to redo its previous analysis that it sets every six months to a year for rate changes. He says there is a lot that goes into formulating the rates.
The commissioner says the tax overhaul effected a wide variety of different companies that Louisiana residents rely on.
Cut 9 (11) “These companies.” (2X)
Boissierre disagrees with the commission’s estimates for when rate changes could take place, and feels utility companies have the ability to begin cutting rates immediately.
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Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator is asking the Caddo Parish School Board, to allow some faculty and administrators to carry guns on campus. Most Caddo Parish schools have a security guard or a resource officer, but he feels it’s not enough. Prator says schools are an open door to criminals with weapons…
Teacher union groups oppose Prator’s proposal. President of the Red River United Union, Jackie Lansdale, says teachers are there to educate students and going beyond that to protect students is more than what they signed up for…
Prator says school staff that would be allowed to carry guns, must undergo several hours of training to make sure they can handle a weapon in a crisis situation…
Lansdale knows there are challenges facing schools and law enforcement alike with the increase in violence on school campuses. She believes more parental involvement is a better way to stop many copycats from acting out…
Cut 13 (09) “they’re playing?”
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Two tax bills that will help the state overcome a looming one billion dollar budget deficit are heading to the House floor. Some Republicans were seeking to make permanent a quarter of a temporary one-cent sales tax. But Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh didn’t like the permanent part, so he changed the legislation so a quarter of the temporary one-cent sales tax stays until mid-2021
Cut 14 (08) “businesses pocket”
If this legislation becomes law, the state’s sales tax rate would be a four and a quarter percent until June 30, 2021. It’s currently 5-percent, but two years ago, the sales tax rate was four-percent. The measure also temporarily eliminates some sales tax breaks. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey opposed it..
For Democrats to support the sales tax bill, they wanted the House Ways and Means Committee to remove tax breaks for middle and upper income wage earners who itemize deductions on tax returns. The panel did on a 10-7 vote. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says these tax bills can stave off deep budget cuts..
Cut 16 (09) “higher education.”
The bills now head to the House floor, where they’ll need 70 votes. Ivey says the measures do not provide the real tax reform…
Cut 17 (09) “sad day in Louisiana”
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For the second straight Sunday, LSU was blown out at home. Texas trounced the Tigers 11-1 to prevent a three-game sweep by the Tigers. Todd Peterson suffered the loss on the mound, but Coach Paul Mainieri is not putting all the blame on what happened on the pitcher’s mound…
LSU won the first two games of the series by scores 13-4 and 10-5. But Mainieri says Sunday was a rough day…
LSU is 4-3 on the season and they’ve only received one quality start from their starting pitchers. Mainieri says they need more from the guys that start the games on the mound