Another Industrial Tax Exemption Program change could be on it’s way if one Baton Rouge lawmaker has his way. Matt Doyle has the story.
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New legislation could see High Occupancy Vehicle lanes may be coming to the Bayou State. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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New legislation could see I-10 renamed in honor of the Black and Gold.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children report shows the price of childcare in the state is rapidly rising in price, up 35 percent from 2010 to 2016.
To combat this, Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state should pump more money into early childhood subsidies like California does with it’s dedicated tobacco tax.
The study shows childcare costs the average single parents on average 38 percent of their income, and 45 percent of all kids in the state live in single parent households.
Sports betting could be legalized this session, and some early childhood proponents have suggested putting that tax money towards the program. Bronfin says they are not advocating for legalization, but if it is legalized, they hope to make it a dedicated funding stream, but…
A state commission came up with a number for what the state would need to pay to take care of early childhood education for all at-risk kids. Bronfin says clearing the thousands of kids on the active wait list, and providing care for the rest who are in need is a substantial investment.
15,000 kids are in the early childhood subsidy program, down from 39,000 in 2008.
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A Baton Rouge Representative is proposing a change to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program. The Republican lawmaker wants the Parish President, Sheriff, and School Board President to be the review board for ITEP requests.
Rick Edmonds says at the moment, requesting an ITEP means working with a number of local boards.
Cut 7 (07) “…a different parish.”
The new ITEP policy grabbed headlines after a community group pushed the Baton Rouge School Board to deny Exxon an ITEP tax break. Edmonds says he hopes the streamlining will appease both local stakeholders and business investors.
The changes comes a year after an executive order eliminated a state review board and gave local authorities the final say on the tax exemption.
Edmonds says the Governor assured businesses that the change would not create problems, but…
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Louisiana may soon see high occupancy vehicle lanes instituted across the state. Livingston Senator Dale Erdey says a recent study showed Louisiana could benefit from the use of HOV lanes, and now the state Department of Transportation needs the authority to put them in place. Erdey says the room for the extra lane is already there, but there will be some funding needed….
Cut 10 (07) “…to accomplish this.”
Erdey says drivers riding solo would not get to take advantage of the driving in the lane, but they’d likely still see benefits from the change.
Cut 11 (08) “…lanes of highway.”
When it comes to enforcement of the laws of the HOV lanes, Erdey says in other states, cameras can now detect the occupancy in a vehicle, and they can tell if you are trying to pull one over on the system.
Cut 12 (04) “…the passenger seat.″
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New Orleans Representative Wesley Bishop is introducing legislation to see the interstate adopt the moniker the “Who Dat Nation Highway.” Bishop says the nearly 275 mile stretch of Interstate 10 that runs through South Louisiana would be rebranded in an effort to pay homage to the fans of the Black and Gold.
Bishop says the idea spawned from being upset about how the NFC title game played out and says the Saints fan are the best fan base on the planet.
Cut 14 (09) “…to do something.”
Bishop says nothing brings together the Bayou state quite like the Saints.
Cut 15 (09) “…New Orleans Saints.”
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The Tigers baseball team is riding a high after their bats came back alive in a series win over Mississippi State a few days ago, and now they’re hoping to keep that momentum going in tonight’s game against Grambling. LSU scored double digit runs in both of the last two games, and Head coach Paul Mainieri says the display is a big ego boost to the team.
Friday’s 10-5 win was the first time in eight games the Tigers scored in double digits. Mainieri says he told the team to keep their head high through a hitting slump that resulted in a four-game losing streak,….