Legislation that would allow concealed handgun permit owners to bring a gun into a place of worship, if a pastor, priest or rabbi approves is awaiting debate in the Senate. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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State Police Trooper George Baker died this weekend after being critically injured during an effort to stop a fleeing suspect in Hammond last Wednesday. Matt Doyle has more…
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The budget may be the focus of the upcomming special session but lawmakers will also take a look at dozens of other tax related issues when they convene. Matt Doyle has the story.
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A House bill that would expand concealed handgun access in churches is awaiting debate in the Senate. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s legislation passed the House on a 72-24 vote
Louisiana law currently allows a concealed handgun in a house of worship, but the congregation must agree on who is allowed to carry concealed weapons. Fontenot’s measure would only require a pastor, priest, or rabbi to grant permission.
Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voted for the bill but raised concern that the legislation removes from existing law a requirement for an additional eight hours of tactical training
Gretna Representative Joseph Marino was one of two dozen House members to vote against the legislation. Marino believes the way the measure is written, a church leader would not be allowed to ban guns inside their place of worship and questioned Fontenot about that point
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A flash flood watch is in effect for northwest Louisiana until seven o’clock tonight and that includes Shreveport, Natchitoches, and Homer. Jason Hansford with the National Weather Service says periods of heavy rainfall is expected today over a region that’s already seen a lot of rainfall
Cut 7 (10) “…parts of the area.”
Hansford says the Shreveport area is already a foot above normal for rainfall totals for 2020. He says a nearly stalled upper-level trough in Texas is helping to produce the potential for localized flooding
Hansford says additional rainfall amounts of two to four inches will be possible through this afternoon
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A State Police trooper severely injured by a Hammond Police vehicle last week succumbs to his injuries.
33-year-old Trooper George Baker was reportedly picking up devices laid out to deflate a fleeing suspect’s tires when he was hit by Hammond Police. State Police Trooper Jeremy Price says Baker was a model trooper.
Baker spent eight years in the Marine reserves where he served one combat deployment in the Middle East.
Price says Baker had a lifelong desire to become a Louisiana State Police Trooper and protect his community.
Baker joined LSP in 2017 and had prior stints with the Greensburg Police Department and St. Helena Parish Sheriff.
Price says Baker is the 30th LSP Trooper to die in the line of duty.
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Lawmakers will consider a number of non-budgetary items in the June special session designed to provide financial relief for people and businesses suffering from the shutdown.
Senate GOP Caucus Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt of Slidell says one big topic of conversation will be the potential elimination or suspension of the state’s corporate franchise tax.
The franchise tax is levied against a business’s total net worth and would cost the state an estimated 10 million dollars in lost revenue.
Hewitt says for individuals…
Lawmakers are barred from considering tax issues in the regular session by law due to it being an even-numbered year.
41 total items, including the budget are set to be discussed, many of them impacting state revenue. Hewitt says it will be a balancing act to make sure the numbers line up.
Hewitt adds, while not currently on the agenda, a special session would allow for the attempted override of any gubernatorial vetos.
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