After his accuser speaks, will Secretary of State Tom Schedler decide to step down due to sexual harassment allegations? Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Legislation that would increase penalties for those who are caught soliciting prostitutes is close to final passage. Matt Doyle has more.
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Doubts are growing that the legislature will be able to find a compromise budget before the end of the regular session. Michael Farrar has more.
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A political analyst says embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler might not be able to stay in office much longer as the sexual harassment allegations against him will not go away. Bernie Pinsonat says published emails showing sexual advances by Schedler towards an employee could lead to his resignation…
Pinsonat says it’s also difficult for Schedler to stay in office, when U-S Senator John Kennedy believes the Secretary of State should step down
Schedler has previously said he will not resign, but this will be his last term. The Republican statewide elected official says it’s important for him to continue running the agency that handles elections, because they are in the process of buying new voting equipment. But Pinsonat says Schedler’s time might be up…
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A Senate-approved bill that would double, and in some cases, increased tenfold the fines associated with soliciting prostitutes passed a House committee nine to six. The bill would not change the current penalty of up to six months in jail for soliciting. Sponsor Franklinton Senator Beth Mizel says it attacks human trafficking at its root.
The bill would also allow judges to order people convicted of soliciting to attend an educational course that instruct “Johns” on how human trafficking destroys lives. Mizel says that kind of public shaming is a powerful disincentive.
Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges, supported the legislation, arguing that heavier punishments are the only thing the stop people from trying to buy sex.
The bill moves to the House for final passage.
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There’s only two months left in the fiscal year, and doubts are growing as to whether a spending plan for next budget year can be approved in the current regular session. A 648-million dollar budget gap is forcing lawmakers to consider deep cuts in state spending. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says we’re approaching uncharted waters.
Lawmakers are constitutionally barred from raising revenue in this regular session to plug the budget gap, and Alford says that means the safe money is on a special session starting up next month, where revenue issues can be considered.
The House passed budget includes massive cuts to healthcare, which administrators warn would lead to the end of public-private partnership hospitals. Alford says voters won’t accept those kinds of cuts, so revenues will have to be raised to replace the one penny sales tax that is set to expire in July.
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The Saints 2018 draft has a Louisiana flair to it this year as the Black and Gold selected two local products, running back Boston Scott in the sixth round and offensive lineman Will Clapp in the seventh round. Clapp is the first former Tiger drafted by New Orleans since defensive tackle Al Woods in 2010. Head Coach Sean Payton says he didn’t have to make a long distance call to let Clapp know he’ll be playing for his childhood team…
Scott is a former Louisiana Tech running back, who walked on at the Ruston school after a stellar prep career at Zachary High School. Payton says Scott can fill a couple of roles on their team…
Clapp will get an opportunity to learn from 32-year-old starting center Max Unger. Payton also likes that the former Brother Martin star can play guard as well…
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The Pelicans are down one game to nothing in their best of seven Western Conference playoff series with Golden State after a 123-101 loss in Oakland on Saturday night. Head Coach Alvin Gentry said the Pels were a little rusty after a week off between games, but point guard Rajon Rondo disagrees
New Orleans tried to play uptempo against Golden State, but the strategy didn’t work in Game one. Gentry says they need to do a better job at shot selection and defense…
Gentry says despite getting blown out on Saturday, there’s no panic in the Pelicans’ locker room…
Game Two is tomorrow night at 9:30.