Higher education is celebrating the passage of the budget and tax plan that saves universities and TOPS from further budget cuts. Without the passage of the 4.45 percent sales tax bill, TOPS was on the block for a 30 percent cut and higher ed was looking at tens of millions of dollars in cuts. Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Kim Hunter Reed credits the students who let their voices to be heard…
Cut 4 (09) “phone bank.”

House Bill 10, which provides the funding for higher ed, was approved in the House on a 74-24 vote. Several Republican lawmakers opposed previous efforts to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh on how the Edwards administration got the votes…
cut 11 (11) “…people off”
Seabaugh made the comments on KEEL Radio.
On July 1st, Louisiana’s sales tax rate will go from 5 to 4.45 percent. Kevin Barnhart reports consumers will continue to pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation…
Voicer 2 (31) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

St. John the Baptist Parish judge Jeff Perilloux has been indicted on three felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and one count of misdemeanor sexual battery. The 50-year-old judge denies accusations he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl and groped two other teens. Perilloux took a leave absence in May.