The second special session of the year crashed and burned at midnight last night, when lawmakers failed to pass a sales tax bill and that could result in a 30-percent cut to TOPS and a 20-percent reduction in higher education funding next fiscal year. The key moment was the House rejecting a Senate backed sales tax plan to replace 648-million dollars in expiring revenue. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson laid the blame for the session’s failure at a large group of House Republicans….
Cut 13 (12) “human beings”
The Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana released a statement commending lawmakers who voted against the sales tax bill. State Director John Kay says state government should live within its means and if another special session is called, it would be a waste of taxpayer money.

Under legislation signed by the governor, glaucoma, PTSD, Parkinson’s and other conditions have been added to the list of illnesses that will be eligible to receive a prescription for medical marijuana once it becomes available at selected pharmacies later this year. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says his bill will also result in a cost savings for the state….
cut 8 (09) “….fiscal savings”

The Secretary of State’s office has been warning the public that Louisiana has aging voting machines and now we have a price tag for replacing them, 60 million dollars. The feds have offered to chip in with nearly 6 million to get the process started. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it will not happen overnight.
Cut 4 (10) “five parishes”