The House Appropriations Committee is meeting at this hour to approve a budget for next fiscal year. An amendment has been added to the proposed spending plan that would fully fund the TOPS scholarship, but that would mean less money for health care and public colleges and universities. Governor Edwards is pushing the legislature to end the regular session early, so a special session can begin in May to approve tax bills that can lead to more revenue and reduce the budget gap. Rep. Cameron Henry says it’s too early to tell whether the House believes another special session is needed
Officials say a solider at Fort Polk died as a result of a gunshot wound on Thursday. 18-year-old Private Jacob S. Malcolm of West Virginia joined the army last year and was assigned to the tenth Mountain Division. The death is being investigated by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.
An LSU Public Policy Research Lab survey finds a majority of Louisiana residents support two of Governor John Bel Edwards’ major policy issues – criminal justice reform and Medicaid expansion. L-S-U’s Dr. Mike Henderson says since the approval ratings are high on these two major policy changes, it could help the governor get re-elected in 2019…
Many in Louisianans wait until the last minute to file their taxes. In fact, some 53-percent wait until the final day, which is tomorrow. The I-R-S says the average person will get a refund of over 31-hundred dollars. Offers-dot-com’s Carson Yarbrough says many are putting that refund to good use…