The Louisiana House approves legislation that would prohibit banks from refusing to do business with companies that sell or make firearms. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana heads to the Senate floor after advancing out of a Senate committee…
cut 2 (29) I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The Louisiana House passes a bill that says banks with gun control policies can not refuse to do business with companies involved in the manufacturing and selling of guns and ammunition. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says his legislation protects against a discriminatory action
The House approved the measure on a 66-27 vote and it heads to the Senate for more discussion. Democrats oppose the legislation. Franklin Representative Sam Jones says the legislation infringes on the First amendment rights of banks…
Miguez’s legislation is in response to policies enacted by Citigroup and Bank of America that restricts their business dealings with certain companies in the firearm industry. During floor debate, Baton Rouge Democrat Denise Marcell asked Miguez if he thought his bill was fair
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A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty in Louisiana passed a Senate committee on 4-2 vote. Co-author of the measure, New Iberia Representative Terry Landry, says the punishment is immoral and the system is far from perfect.
New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if prosecutors seek the death penalty, the state has infinite resources to defend that decision compared to a person who is handed the sentence. Morrell highlights that if it wasn’t for the intervention with extra resources of advocacy groups, the state has previously held exonerated people on death row.
Cut 7 (10) “…from being killed.”
21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux spoke in opposition of the measure, saying the option of the death penalty is needed for the most severe homicide cases.
Perrilloux says the intricacy that goes into death penalty cases today ensures the accuracy of the current system.
Cut 9 (10) “…system currently works“.
The measure heads to the Senate floor. It will need two-thirds approval in both the House and Senate. If it gets legislative approval, then it would appear on the November 2020 presidential ballot.
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Governor Edwards is confident tornado ravaged Ruston and Louisiana Tech will receive federal disaster recovery funds once damage assessments are complete, and an application for aid has been filed.
Louisiana Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says assessment teams are preparing to survey the damage.
Steele says there is no timeline currently for when the federal aid will make it to effected areas, but the state is working to get an accurate idea of just how much aid will be requested on the application.
Cut 11 (08) “…infrastructure.”
The threshhold to secure federal disaster assistance is 6.8 million dollars, and the Governor says initial estimates are that Tech suffered atleast 20 million in damage alone.
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning reportedly has already identified at least 1,200 damaged structures, and Steele says they’re hoping to get started on the assessment process, but some areas still need to be checked for safety before the crews go out.
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A former St. Landry Parish priest was sentenced to seven years in prison today and also received three years probation. Michael Guidry pleaded guilty in March to giving a 16-year-old boy alcohol and then sexually molesting him. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s a harsh sentence
Cut 13 (12) “…for significant reduction.”
Meche says with human nature being what it is, it’s difficult for a judge not to be impacted by the scrutiny and publicity these cases received.
Cut 14 (05) “…the maximum sentence.”
In addition to the 7 year sentence, Guidry was ordered to register as a sex offender in Acadia Parish where he lives and St. Landry Parish where his church is located and turn over his passport.