7:30 LRN Newscast July 2nd

Now that the state has found a solution to the fiscal cliff with the passage of a sales tax bill, the focus in state politics will turn towards next year’s governor’s race. GOP House Chairman Lance Harris says Republicans remain committed towards reducing the size of state government, but that can’t happen with Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in office…
cut 5 (10) “…governor’s office”
But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says the Democratic coalition’s ability to preserve healthcare, higher ed, and TOPS sends a strong message about the party’s values heading into the governor’s race, as well as their success in solving the budget crisis created by the last administration.
Cut 6 (09) “honest budgeting”
Qualifying for the 2019 governor’s race is just over 13 months away.

Louisiana launches a new website today that will help residents track government spending. It can be found at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says the website will contain employee salaries, contract data and incentive spending on economic development projects. Berry says the website comes with a user friendly interface….
cut 12 (03) “….for the citizens”

That woman who was pulled out of a burning car in Western Canada last week by a group of baseball players, including three from Southeastern Louisiana, continues to recover from her minor injuries. Evan Pace of Zachary was the first to get to 67-year-old Linda Jack, who was stunned her S-U-V ran off the road and started on fire. Pace says once they got her out of the burning vehicle, they took her to the nearest hospital….
cut 15 (11) “…back home”
The S-L-U players are playing summer baseball with a team based out of Washington State.