The House Appropriations Committee approves a budget that fully funds TOPS. Baton Rouge representative Pat Smith says the amendment to fully fund TOPS means public colleges would receive a 22 million dollar cut in funding.
Also included are steep cuts to healthcare, but More changes in the budget are expected when the bill hits the House Floor on Thursday.
Clean up is underway in Bossier Parish after some nasty weather trashed the northern part of the parish on Saturday. Bossier Sheriffs Officer Lt. Bill Davis says unfortunately, Carli Ortiz, an infant, passed away during the event.
State officials have talked about spending billions of dollars on redirecting sediment carried by the Mississippi River to rebuild the state’s vanishing coast. However, a study out of Tulane says the diversions will produce new land, but not fast enough. Lead author of the report Elizabeth Chamberlain says it’s important the river diversions are positioned in the right areas.
A bill that would require 18-wheelers to be in the right hand lane while traveling on interstates through Baton Rouge from 4 to 7 PM weekdays passed the House Transportation Committee. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter says its common sense to anyone who’s had to drive on the interstate during rush hour.