Lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today for a two-month legislative session with a statewide election right around the corner. Matt Doyle has the story…
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There will be several hot topics up for discussion during this legislative session. They include a stronger restriction against an abortion, legalized sports betting, legalizing recreational use of marijuana, banning hand held cell phones while driving, raising the legal age to smoke and abolishing the death penalty.
A proposal to raise the gas tax to fund bridge and road repair and expansion is shaping up to have a heated debate. Louisiana Coalition to Fix Our Roads President Erich Ponti backs the proposal to raise the tax by six cents in the first year, and 18 cents total over 10 years.
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But many are skeptical tax increase proposals will pass during an election year.

One of the focal points of the legislative session is pay raises for teachers and school support staff. House Education Chairman Nancy Landry expects the pay hikes to go through, because there is bipartisan agreement that teachers do not get enough.
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Landry says she’ll also look to increase state funding for early childhood education.