The House was scheduled to meet at 9:30 this morning, but the chamber is relatively empty as behind the scenes negotitiations continue on a sales tax plan that would replace a portion of the over one-billion dollars in revenue that comes off the books when temporary sales taxes expire on June 30th.

House Speaker Taylor Barras addressed the lower chamber before they adjourned last night and said legislators are deadlocked. Barras says he plans to keep talking with the caucus chairs in the hopes an agreement can be reached….
cut 16 (12) “….impasse is”
The Governor and Democrats want a half-a-penny renewed of an expiring one-cent sales tax, while Republicans seek renewal at four-tenths of a cent in an effort to cut back on government spending. The governor’s plan would not result in any cuts. The special session must end on Wednesday night.

The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has dropped below $2.60, but get ready for an increase at the pump. AAA’s Don Redman says the supply of fuel is dwindling and demand for gas is getting ready to skyrocket….
cut 12 (09) “…record-breaker”
Redman says gasoline prices to increse by at least five to ten cents over the next couple of weeks.

Louisiana officials are happy about the Farm Bill that the U-S House passed. Congressman Ralph Abraham says the legislation will help farmers recover from natural disasters and it supports Louisiana dairy farmers, which has seen a decline in the number of producers…
cut 9 (11) “…sometime”
The measure still needs Senate approval.