Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing legislation that could help address some of the state’s expected billion-dollar budget deficit resulting from the COVID economic collapse. Matt Doyle has the story.
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When Casinos and gaming facilities reopen on Monday as part of Phase One across the state it won’t be business as usual. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Lawsuit reform advances to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story.
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State lawmakers are facing the prospect of having to implement deep cuts in the next budget unless the feds bail out Louisiana.
Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing to address some of Louisiana’s, and other states’, COVID-related deficits by directing 500 billion dollars to state and local governments over the next two years.
The SMART Act has been introduced in partnership with New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menendez.
Cassidy says Louisiana isn’t the only state facing dire budget conditions but without funding key government services he says the economy will never recover.
Cassidy says Louisiana is owed at least some federal budget assistance because it was federal policies and recommendations that tanked the state’s economy in particular.
Louisiana legislators are facing the prospect of crafting a budget for the fiscal year starting July 1st with a billion-dollar shortfall compared to this fiscal year.
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Casinos and video poker facilities are waiting until Monday to welcome gamblers back. But Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones is not sure every casino will reopen. Jones says getting workers to return might be a challenge…
Louisiana has 20 casinos and nearly 200 video poker facilities. Each property will be required to limit occupancy to 25-percent and only 25-percent gaming positions can be in operation.
Jones says every casino is also required to submit a reopening plan to State Police that will feature a series of mitigation measures…
Patrons should expect temperature checks, be prepared to answer a series of health questions, and wear a mask while on the property. The casino will also have masks on hand and social distancing is a requirement on the gaming floor.
Jones says casino operators are not sure if a lot of their players are ready to return…
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The session’s major lawsuit and insurance reform effort passes House and Senate Committees.
The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold from 50,000 to 5,000 dollars, and House bill sponsor, Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says auto insurers have promised rate reductions if it passes.
Proponents believe the legislation will allow the Insurance Commissioner to require auto insurance companies that save money from the reforms to implement a minimum 10% rate reduction.
Garofalo says now is a great time to push for legislation that will put more money back in people’s pockets.
The legislation also extends the prescriptive period for allowing suits to be filed to two years.
Lawyer and former Congressman Don Cazayoux spoke in opposition. He says the changes will pressure victims into settling for less than they deserve by requiring lengthy jury trials.
Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says now is not the right time to take on such impactful and controversial legislation due to travel and Capitol restrictions.
The twin bills head to the full House and Senate.
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The longstanding tradition of the Louisiana Farm Bureau holding its annual convention in New Orleans is not happening this year. Under normal circumstances, 1500 members and their families would congregate, but Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the 98th annual convention will be replaced by an event that looks much different.
Cut 14 (12) “…a physical location.”
This year, a new Farm Bureau president will be named as in February, outgoing president Ronnie Anderson announced his retirement after 31 years of leadership.
Davidson believes the only other disruption to the annual New Orleans convention’s near-century-long history happened in the 90’s.
During the convention, farmers and ranchers get to discuss policy that impacts them on the state and federal levels. Davidson says the Farm Bureau is ironing out the details of how that policy discussion will take place this year.
Cut 16 (11) “…how we’re doing.”
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Tonight the SEC Network airs a documentary covering LSU’s 2019 championship season. Entitled “One for the Ages,” the 60-minute tribute showcases footage captured for other televisions programs from summer training camp through the National Championship victory. Documentary producer Jim Jorden…
In all, LSU defeated seven teams ranked in the Top 10 in 2019. While many may have been taken by surprise by the success of the season, Jorden says those on the team showed their confidence in their ability to be a championship squad early and the program showcases why.
There will be no shortage of Heisman Trophy winning QB Joe Burrow. Jorden says having so many highlights from the Tigers made it tricky to select the ones to make the final cut.
The program airs tonight at 6:30 Central on the SEC Network.
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