They’ll be discussing the death penalty today at a public hearing at the capitol, where family members of victims whose attackers are on death row will speak…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart ”
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The regular session kicks off in about a month and LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says get ready for teacher pay, sports betting, and tax issues…
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LSU’s suspension of Will Wade leaves basketball fans with more questions than answers. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s reintroducing the College Transparency Act. Cassidy says the legislation aims to make education more affordable to students by modernizing the college reporting system to make available accurate data on student outcomes.
Cut 4 (08) “…after high school.”
Cassidy says among the data used would be the completion of the curriculum, as well as post-college hiring rates and earning expectations based upon a selected school. It will also factor in students with similar backgrounds succeeded at a school.
Cut 5 (12) “…years of graduating.”
Cassidy says he, along with LSU President F. King Alexander, coauthored an op-ed for CNN in support of the act.
Cut 6 (09) “…have affordable education.”
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The House Criminal Justice Committee will hold a hearing today on the Death Penalty, featuring family members of victims whose attackers are on death row, but have not been put the death, as the state has not executed anyone in over a decade. but Attorney General Jeff Landry says today they will showcase a legal path forward for the death penalty.
The Governor’s administration says there are legal and logistical barriers preventing the death penalty in Louisiana, as the serum needed has not been accessible since 2010. Landry says it’s a poor excuse, and the lack of an executable death penalty incentivizes more crime.
Landry cited recent executions in Texas and Oklahoma as evidence that with some legal and policy tweaks, Louisiana could begin executing again as well.
Governor Edwards has not voiced his personal opinion on the ethics of the death penalty, but says as governor it is his duty to follow the law, and currently the law provides no pathway towards enforcing executions. Landry called on Edwards to publicly testify at the hearing that’ll be held just a few minutes from the Governor’s house…
The hearing is set for 9AM.
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The legislative session is a less than a month away and two topics look to be hot button issues. One of those, teacher and school support personnel pay raises, comes with an estimated 135-million dollar price tag. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says figuring out how to pay for it could be a struggle.
Cut 10 (09) “…American history.”
The proposal would raise teacher pay by 1,000 dollars, and support personnel pay by 500 dollars.
The other topic on many lawmakers lips is the prospect of legalizing sports betting in Louisiana. Last year the US Supreme Court OK’d the practice for all states, but a last second effort to authorize it here fell flat. Alford says the same groups that stalled last year’s effort are likely to be back again…
Neighboring Mississippi has legalized sports betting, and Louisiana casinos say they fear they are losing visitors as a result.
Odd numbered years allow lawmakers to propose tax increases in a regular session. Alford says revenue questions will take center stage…
The session begins at noon on April 8th.
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The suspension of LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade in response to his involvement in an FBI investigation into college basketball corruption has created more questions than answers. Among the questions, what benefit is it to the school to suspend Wade at this point? LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says it makes the school look better in the NCAA’s eyes since they’ve taken steps towards self-disciplinary actions.
Cut 13 (06) “…of institutional control.”
Guilbeau says it’s likely the decision to suspend Wade was not just made Athletics Director Joe Alleva, the LSU compliance department also played a role…
Guilbeau says he believes the Tiger fans have seen the last of Will Wade at courtside, but when it comes to the player in question, Javonte Smart…
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The 13th ranked LSU baseball team visits Natchitoches for the first time since 2014 when they play Northwestern State at Brown-Stroud Field. Demons head coach Bobby Barbier says it should be a fun night at the park…
The Demons are 7-6 on the season, while LSU is 11-4. Tigers shortstop Josh Smith says not a bad start so far…
LSU is coming off a series victory over Cal. In the last game of the series, freshman first baseman Cade Beloso belted two home runs. Beloso on his plan at the plate.