The two Republican contenders in the governor’s race only have two months to show voters why they should make the run off. Matt Doyle has the story on how each positioned themselves at qualifying….
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Chaos and confusion in Baton Rouge on Tuesday as a suspected shooting incident at the Burbank Walmart is now thought to be a false alarm. Kevin Barnhart has the situation.
Cut 2 (32 ) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is officially qualified to run for a fourth term and is up against a challenger with a self-funded million dollar war chest in Tim Temple. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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With the governor’s race officially on the two Republicans contenders say they’re ready to take the fight to Governor Edwards, in their own ways.
Congressman Ralph Abraham says the Governor has presided over substantial tax increases, and he’d begin unraveling those policies if he takes the Mansion…
The last time a governor cut taxes wholesale, healthcare and education received massive cuts to balance the books. Abraham says his tax cut proposals won’t have the same results Bobby Jindal’s did…
Cut 5 (11) “…assure you that.”
Abraham says his waste, fraud, and abuse target number one would be the Medicaid program, but he reiterated his support for Governor Edwards’ Medicaid expansion.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone says Governor Edwards has been lax on illegal immigration, and the governor has stood by as large numbers of undocumented immigrants have come to the state.
Immigration law is almost entirely governed by the Feds, but Rispone says he would empower local authorities to more actively participate in immigration policing.
There are no sanctuary cities in Louisiana, but Rispone repeated his claim that New Orleans facilitates undocumented immigration. He says if the Crescent City refuses to cooperate with him on immigration…
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Governor John Bel Edwards message at qualifying was clear: a vote for me is a vote for further increases to education funding.
Edwards says the budget stability his administration provided has allowed the state to begin reinvesting in education, and a vote for him in fall would continue that reinvestment process…
The last session was defined by Edwards’ ability to secure a 1,000 dollar pay raise for public school teachers. He says if given another term, he will seek at least another 1,000 dollar raise for educators.
Edwards says his administration’s dedication to education is what sets him apart from his Republican rivals, and precursor.
Edwards is hoping to earn over 50 percent of the vote in the October primary to avoid a November run-off.
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Initial reports of an active shooter a Baton Rouge Walmart on Tuesday had many wondering if the Bayou State was the next location of a public mass shooting. East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Col. Bryan White says after a security sweep of the store, they began to talk to witnesses.
Cut 10 (08) “…video in Walmart.”
But as the day went on, the story changed, to the point where it appears there was an altercation between a man with scissors and a man with a gun at customer service, but no shots were fired. White says he is not sure what was heard by people who claimed they heard shots.
White says the Sheriff’s initial report that there was someone at a local hospital in stable condition with gunshot wounds was inaccurate as they were still trying to gather details of what happened.
Cut 12 (09) “…between two people.”
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he is not worried about the million-dollar war chest Tim Temple has in the race for his position. Donelon made the statement after filing his qualifying paperwork. Donelon says he has been the funding underdog before.
Cut 13 (11) “…and won handily.”
Donelon is aiming to serve a fourth term. While Temple highlights that Louisiana insurance rates are much higher than the rest of the country, Donelon says policyholders are seeing some recent relief.
Cut 14 (11) “…Louisiana Farm Bureau.”
Donelon says he has many qualities that make him the best many for the job.
Cut 15 (10) “…of my responsibilities.”
The race is considered the most hotly contested of the statewide seats outside of the Governor’s race.