The state legislature will begin a third special session of 2018 on June 18th. Governor John Bel Edwards is giving legislators one more opportunity before the new fiscal year begins July 1st to address the fiscal cliff. Edwards is hoping legislators can pass a revenue raising tax bill by 6 PM June 27th to replace a portion of the more than one-billion dollars in temporary taxes that expire June 30th.

Without additional revenue, the TOPS scholarship program will be cut 30-percent and public colleges would see a 25-percent reduction in state funding.

Louisiana corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says his department would be forced to release at least 10-thousand non-sexual and non-violent prisoners after July 1st, because of a reduction in state funding.
cut 13 (11) “…four prisons”

A CDC report reveals Louisiana has seen a massive spike in suicides since 1999. Connor Ferrill has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic the Water Resources Development Act can help move along flood, hurricane and coastal projection projects. Graves says language in the bill gives state and local governments the opportunity build projects that are currently assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers…
cut 9 (08) “….more efficient”
Gaves says this legislation heading to the Senate can save millions of dollars and years of delays.