The House Appropriations Committee is set to approve a budget that fully funds TOPS. The Revenue Estimating Committee recognized 346- million in new revenues and 233-million dollars of that would go towards TOPS under this proposal. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says the TOPS funding proposal gives students false hope, but because he anticipates amendments to reduce TOPS funding….
cut 3 (:06) “been removed”
Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil authored the amendment to fully fund TOPS….
cut 4 (09) “I voted.”
The spending plan for next fiscal year is expected to be approved by the committee today and then taken up by the full House on Thursday.

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. Of those surveyed, 61-percent say they support the sweeping changes made last year. LSU’s Dr. Mike Henderson says there seems to be support on changing the state’s sentencing laws, because over half of the respondents believe the system is not fair, especially African-Americans…
cut7 (07) “this year.”
And 69-percent approve of the Medicaid expansion enacted in 2016.

A study out of Tulane says the Mississippi River diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough to slow overal coastal land loss. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain says coastal policy and management will have to make difficult choices on where to locate these diversions…
cut 15 (09) “…work there”