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, TOPS was on the block for a 30 percent cut, with higher ed looking at tens of millions in reduced funding. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says now that the system has stabilized funding, they can get to work building on their recent success and increasing the quality of education in the state.
Even with that tax reduction coming up July 1st, economist from the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says residents still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation. Often it’s the local retailers that feel the biggest negative impact when it comes to the high sales tax rate.
Cut 8 (07) “…sales tax areas.”
Following the discovery of 20-year-old girl dead in her home in Fordoche, her ex-boyfriend is now in custody. Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says 21 year old Eric Duhon Junior was arrest last night and booked this morning, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Madeline Falgout.
Cut 3 (10) “…building our case.”
Investigators say a family member discovered Falgout inside her home on Monday. Duhon is being held in the parish jail.
The man who hit a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 for was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in connection with the death of that officer. 46-year-old Tracy Govan was found guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury back in February. District Attorney Steve Tew, who tried the case, says he “hopes the gamily of the officer can now find a way to heal from this horrific tragedy. “
Govan blew a .0062 blood alcohol level two hours after the crash. The legal limit is .008.