LRN 10:30 A.M. Newscast 02/26/2018

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.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.

The house of representatives was burning the late night oil at the capitol last night. The house ways and means committee agreed to send vital legislation forward in an effort to plug a billion dollar plus budget hole, by agreeing to rein in tax breaks for middle and upper income people who itemize their taxes. The vote last night is the first significant movement on tax raising issues the special session was called for. The measures now move to the full house for their consideration.

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…

Cut 11 (06) “become that.”

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…

Cut 12 (10) “testing done.”