One north Louisiana sheriff is asking schools to allow teachers to carry guns. Kelley Ray has more on this heated topic…
Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor is proposing a bill that would fine wreck less 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.
If the bill passes, Claitor says you’ll be able to report wreck less flood zone drivers to the authorities.
The bill would also extend these laws to watercraft used during flood situations.
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 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.
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.
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..