Louisiana’s version of the fetal heartbeat bill has received final passage in the House. Similar bills in other states have drawn criticism. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James introduced an amendment to the bill that would see exemptions of the law applied to cases of rape or incest.
Cut 14 (11) “…to do that.”
The amendment failed to pass. The law would not be enforceable until a federal appeals court rules on upholding a similar law in Mississippi.
The Morganza Spillway opens on Sunday and there are concerns on how this will impact the crawfish industry. LSU AgCenter Aquaculture Professor Greg Lutz says for crawfish farmers in the Atchafalaya Basin area, it could mean bad news if water spills over their levees.
Some farmers could be out of production for a season.
An effort to reduce the state sales tax from 4.45 percent to four-percent over a four-year period died in a Senate Committee. Lawmakers settled on a 4.45 percent sales tax rate last year as part of a budget deal to avoid significant cuts. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says residents are expecting the state to pay for a variety of things and the tax deal approved last year, helps the government fund those wishes…
Cut 8 (14) “…their prisoners.”
An East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s deputy is dead following a single vehicle crash in Zachary around 6:30 this morning. 42-year-old Lt. Steven Whitstine was on his way to work when his car veered off of Pride Port Hudson Road. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the accident is still under investigation.