Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says nearly 300-million is federal dollars from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act….
cut 6 (09) “…desperately needed”
The other 55-million dollars comes from surplus state dollars.
Louisiana ranks seventh for its quality of highway safety traffic laws. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Kathy Chase says Louisiana ranks high because of its seat belt laws and mandatory motorcycle helmet law, but there’s room for improvement…
cut 11 (07) “…our report”
The report notes the annual economic cost of US crashes is 242-billion dollars.
Two people are dead from a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the head softball coach of the Lady Cajuns. Twenty-four year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was also an assistant softball coach at the school was pronounced dead at the scene and so was a man from Houston. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the chain reaction wreck started when an 18-wheeler encountered slower moving traffic in an active construction zone.
Cut 3 (11) “…five car crash.”
Gossen says charges are pending.
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who is a Republican, has drawn a GOP challenger, as he seeks re-election later this year. His name is Tim Temple of DeRidder and the insurance industry veteran wants to work towards lowering the state’s high auto insurance rates…
cut 9 (07) “….business industry”
A state task force was formed last year charged with looking at ways to lower auto insurance rates.