LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says Governor Edwards’ 30 billion dollar budget is only a wish list as long as an increased revenue forecast is held in limbo…
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Gas prices are on the rise in Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart talks with AAA fuel analyst Don Redman to find out why.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Governor John Bel Edwards’ 30 billion dollar budget proposal is the first salvo in what’s expected to be a busy upcoming legislative session, but LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s nothing more than a statement of intent until the Revenue Estimating Conference approves an economic forecast that includes increased revenue.
The increased projections are being blocked by House Speaker Taylor Barras.
The proposal includes a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise, along with a 500 dollar support personnel raise. Teachers have historically been a powerful interest group for the Democratic Governor, and Alford says if their pay raise gets stuck in partisan gridlock, expect educators to begin turning up the heat.
State teachers unions have indicated they may strike towards the end of this semester, or the beginning of the fall semester if their raise isn’t approved.
Alford says when you look at what areas are seeing funding increases, you realize this budget really is a campaign plank for the Governor who is up for reelection just six months after the session will likely end. In particular is Edwards’ promise of continuing to increase higher ed funding…
Alford says the budget is the largest in state history.
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An Alexandria woman has been arrested accused trespassing in an abandoned home and simple burglary charges. Capt. Tommy Carnline says the Rapides Parish deputies responded after the homeowner went to the home to clean and found the woman along with evidence she had been living on the property for quite some time.
Cut 6 (09) “…appliances and furniture”
The woman fled from the home. Detectives began their investigation and identified 30-year-old Jerica Gros as the suspect. Carnline says she’s since been located and arrested.
Cut 7 (12) “…worthless check warrant.”
Carnline says it is common for the homeless to squat in empty homes. It’s estimated she had lived in the home since the beginning of January.
Cut 8 (11) “…could imagine that.”
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Gas prices have been on a noticeable rise throughout the state recently. In the last week, the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has risen by seven cents. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the rising trend has been happening all throughout the month of February.
Redman says while the current prices may seem high, the average is still 20 cents cheaper than this time last year.
Cut 10 (07)“…gasoline prices.”
Redman says several contributing factors are to blame for the rise in prices, including the time of the year and supply and demand.
Cut 11 (11) “…the higher prices..”
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The Fire Marshal is asking for the public’s help IDing a suspect in a January 15th Jonesborough suspected arson case that’s gone unsolved despite video of the person of interest. Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says a person wearing a light colored hoody and pants was seen leaving the scene just before a fire ignited in the kitchen of the home.
No one was injured in the incident.
Rodrigue says if you know who lit the fire, don’t approached them, and instead give the Marshals a call.