For the second time this year, a special session has ended without the passage of a tax bill to avoid deep cuts across state government when the new fiscal year starts July 1st. The House and Senate could not agree on a sales tax proposal. House GOP leaders did not like the Senate’s proposal which would have generated 500 million dollars. Governor John Bel Edwards calls it a sad day for the state and a minority in the House let politics take priority over people…
cut 16 (09) “…do better”
Lawmakers were able to approve a budget for next fiscal year, but without additional revenues it will result in a 30-percent cut to TOPS, colleges would see a 96-million dollar reduction, public safety programs and the department of children and family services would also see cuts . It’s similar to a budget approved in the regular session, which the governor vetoed.

Governor Edwards has signed legislation that expands the number of diseases that can receive prescriptions for medical marijuana once it becomes available later this summer. But will we see an attempt to legalize the receational use of pot. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James anticipates a bill next year to green light recreational use…
cut 9 (11) “…pay down our debt”
Governor Edwards has previously said he opposes legalizing recreational marijuana use.

A report is recommending a reduction in the use of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (28) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”