A Senate approved bill that would allow a parish by parish vote on the legalization of sports betting will be heard today in the House Appropriations Committee.Currently the bill calls for the activity at racetracks and casinos but video poker interests are hoping to expand that. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that can’t happen…
A companion bill to tax the activity proposes a 13 percent tax rate, which Martiny says is about average, and nearly equal to that of Mississippi’s.
The Army Corps of Engineers announces it will open the Morganza Spillway in Pointe Coupee Parish on Sunday. Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the St. Mary Levee District will begin installing a temporary flood barge on Bayou Chene (Shane) in southern Assumption Parish on Tuesday. Governor Edwards says it will take about a week to install and it will prevent backwater flooding for communities east of Morgan City…
Senate Finance has approved a spending plan for next fiscal year that contains a one-thousand dollar teacher pay raise and 39-million dollars in block grant funding for school districts. The House budget proposal calls for a higher pay raise for teachers, but no additional dollars for public schools. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says lawmakers have until June 6th to agree on a budget
An 11-year-old boy has been charged with negligent homicide following the shooting death of his 9-year-old brother in a Baton Rouge home on Saturday afternoon. Authorities believe the shooting was unintentional. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the complexities of the case raise more questions on if the charge will stick.
the parents are not facing charges at this time.