A tornado watch is in effect until 5pm for most parishes in southern and southeast Louisiana. Warnings have also been coming and going as the National Weather Service receives reports of funnel clouds. They say a storm spotter reported a tornado crossed I-10 near exit 171 in Ascension Parish. Andrew Ansorge with the National Weather Service in Slidell says this level of risk hasn’t been seen in quite sometime…:
CUT 8 (05) “southeast Louisiana”
Flood warnings have been issued for St. Tammany, Washington and Webster parishes.

The Louisiana House Ways and Means Committee quickly went through a series of tax proposals today and are still meeting, but did not take up the proposed one cent increase in the state sales tax and the bill was returned to the calendar. The 20 cent increase on the cigarette tax advances to the House Floor, so does the alcohol tax an extra 6 cents on a six pack of beer.

Secretary of State Tom Scheduler announces the temporary suspension of early voting in East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and West Baton Rouge due to severe weather. They say it is expected that the list of parishes impacted could increase over the course of the day.

Lawmakers are discussing letting voters decide whether or not Louisiana should legalize recreational marijuana so the state could tax it. Jesse McCormick, head of the Louisiana Cannabis Association, says it would be difficult to move a bill like this out of the legislature:
CUT 5 (10) “on the ballot”
He says the revenue from pot taxes in other states has been substantial and could really help Louisiana in this time of crisis.

The House Ways and Means Committee has begun what is expected to be a critical meeting for the special legislative session. Various tax increases will be voted on today as a way to raise revenue to close at 900-million dollar deficit. A bill to raise the cigarette tax by 22-cents has already been approved by the panel. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics-dot-com says the sales tax bill is the key piece of legislation that’s being pushed for by the Edwards administration.

Cut 10 (05) “to do it”

Alford says many republicans could vote for the sales tax increase, but they want the governor to commit to some long-term spending cuts.

With the state facing a huge money crunch there is discussion at the state capitol about filing a proposed constitutional amendment in the special session that would put to a vote whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana so the state could tax it. Jesse McCormick, head of the Louisiana Cannabis Association, says these discussions need to be had as the state deals with such a major budget crisis that schools could be closed or lights turned off at hospitals…:

CUT 4 (07)  “benefiting from”

But any such proposal is expected to face fierce opposition from the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association.

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for south central and southeast Louisiana until five o’ clock today. The watch box was issued as a result of a strong line of storms, associated with a cold front. Andrew Ansorge with the National Weather Service in Slidell says these strong thunderstorms also have the potential to produce lightning and hail…

CUT 6 (06) “60 miles per hour”

A wind advisory remains in effect until 3pm Wednesday.

Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary continues today through Saturday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this primary is costing Louisiana $3.5 million during tough budget times. He says switching to a caucus format would save the state that money, because a caucus is paid for by the political parties. Schedler says he has proposed caucus voting to the legislators, but it takes a vote by the legislature to make that change…

Cut 15 (05) “do it” 

The House Ways Committee is convening at this hour and it’s expected they will vote today on tax proposals including the one penny sales tax increase. The committee has heard bills that would increase taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, rental cars, phone lines, internet sales and hotels. Jeremy Alford, publisher of la-politics-dot-com, says the committee may vote on just a few of these proposed taxes…:
CUT 12 (08) “this huge gap”

The state is bracing for what meteorologists say could be one of the most severe storms we’ve seen in years. Several parishes state offices are closing at noon and many schools are out today in southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will be a bumpy ride over through tomorrow morning as result of cold front…:
cut 4 (08) “across the state”
The entire state is under a wind advisory through tomorrow.

It’s reported that state lawmakers are considering a proposed constitutional amendment in the special session that would put to a vote whether or not to legalize recreational marijuana in Louisiana so the state could tax it. Jesse McCormick, head of the Louisiana Cannabis Association, says if the people were able to vote on it, they could then decide the tax measure..:
CUT 3 (10) “regulate cannabis”
He says some argue that this is not the time to be getting into a marijuana debate.

Baton Rouge Police say the gun that apparently went off by accident as a 16-year-old was playing with it, and struck his 16-year-old niece in the head killing her, was a stolen firearm. The suspect was booked back into the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Detention Center on charges of negligent homicide and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

The one cent sales tax increase could get a vote in the House Ways and Means Committee today as lawmakers continue to grapple with a more than $900 million dollar current financial year shortfall. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says many republicans could vote for an increase in the sales tax, but they want the governor to commit to some long-term spending cuts:
CUT 11 (09) “regular session”
Vote on various proposals to increase taxes are expected in the committee today.

Due to the threat of extremely severe weather, most schools in southeast Louisiana are out and several Louisiana parishes state government offices will close at noon today. State climatologist Barry Keim says in addition to strong winds, hail and possible tornadoes, flash flood warnings could be issued in some parts of the state…:
CUT 6 (08) “flood issues”

You can cast a ballot in Louisiana’s March 5th Presidential Preference Primary this week through Saturday at early voting locations. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this primary is costing Louisiana $3.5 million dollars and moving to a caucus could save the state money and reduce future spending…:
CUT 14 (09) “different way”
He says it would take a vote by legislators to make the change.

Tulane University released a study which shows students in the state voucher program scored far lower in math than those in public school. The numbers improved slightly in the second year, but were still much lower that public school performance.

At the Capitol Monday, House Appropriations approved a series of bills aimed at reducing or cutting down on the number of state contracts, which supporters say will save the state some much needed dollars.

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote on various tax proposals today, including a measure that would increase the state sales tax by a penny. Halen Doughty reports…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather moving into the state, and schools mostly across the southeast have cancelled classes for today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says those areas are under the second highest of five categories of risk designated by NOAA…:
CUT 5 (07) “entire day”

Every year the Legislative Auditor puts out a report which highlights areas state government could be doing a better job of protecting taxpayer dollars. Daryl Purpera says the found some big issues within the Department of Health and Hospitals including failing to collect Medicaid payments for patient services. He says they are planning to increase the number of auditors within DHH…:

CUT 8 (10) “these issues”

He says auditors are about to start taking a deeper look at how state agencies use their credit cards, travel and collect cash.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will reportedly vote tomorrow on whether or not to approve the sale of Cleco. The company agreed to a sale proposal from an investment group which was approved by CLECO shareholders, so now it’s in the hands of the PSC. This would put the public company in private hands. Macquarie Investments have already said that this would have little to no effect on customers.

Most of the state is looking at severe weather today, including the potential for tornadoes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will be a bumpy ride over the next 24 hours or so as result of cold front that’s moving through Louisiana…:
cut 4 (08) “across the state”
New Orleans, Houma, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria are under an enhanced threat of severe weather. Keim says the disturbance will diminish tomorrow morning, but it’s going to be chilly.

Today could be a pivotal day in the special session that’s been called to eliminate a $900 million deficit this fiscal year. The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote on various proposals to increase taxes, including a measure that would increase the state sales tax by a penny. La-Politics.com publisher Jeremy Alford…:
CUT 10 (05) “to do it”
He says Republicans could get on board, but they want the governor to commit to some long-term spending cuts.

Charges have been upgraded against a 16-year-old, who fatally shot his 16-year-old niece, in what Baton Rouge police call an accidental shooting. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says state government can do a better job of protecting taxpayer dollars. He says on multiple occasions his auditors discovered the Department of Health and Hospitals didn’t do what was needed to receive payments from third parties for Medicaid patients…:
CUT 7 (10) “million dollars”

Much of Louisiana is under an enhanced severe weather threat today and that includes the potential for tornadoes. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
There is a high wind advisory for the entire state today beginning at 4pm-6pm. The National Weather Service says winds could increase to 20-30 miles per hour with gusts possibly getting to 40 miles per hour or higher.

At the Capitol today as there are just 14 days left in the special legislative session, the House Ways and Means Committee is set to vote on some of Governor John Bel Edwards tax proposals, including a one cent increase to the state’s sales tax.

Early voting for the Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary continues today through Saturday. Secretary of State Tom Schedler says this primary is costing Louisiana $3.5 million during tough budget times. He says switching to a caucus format would save the state that money, because a caucus is paid for by the political parties…:
Cut 13 (11) “pay for it”
The primary will be held March 5th.

Baton Rouge Police say the gun that apparently went off by accident as a 16-year-old was playing with it, and struck his 16-year-old niece in the head killing her, was a stolen firearm. The suspect was booked back into the East Baton Rouge Parish Juvenile Detention Center on charges of negligent homicide and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.

A House committee approves several bills aimed at reducing the number of state government contracts. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are 15 days left in the special legislative session that’s been called to address a 850 to 950 million dollar deficit this fiscal year. Governor John Bel Edwards has said it’ll take cuts to the budget and tax increases to close the gap. The House Ways and Means Committee is set to vote tomorrow on some of the governor’s tax proposals, including a one cent increase to the state’s sales tax.

More groups are coming forward expressing anger over the latest viral Crimestoppers video by Captain Clay Higgins with the Sheriff’s Office in St. Landry. The so called, “Cajun John Wayne” is coming under fire for some of the terminology he used to refer to the Gremlins Gang suspects. The ACLU of Louisiana also said that Higgins implies using the force of summary execution which is not the way we work in this country. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Acadiana is dealing with this gang that’s been terrorizing the area for a long time. He says they may have veered off point, but the message is pretty simple…:

Cut 11 (09) “watch for ya”

The International Energy Agency said today that oil prices should remain low through 2016. That’s good news for motorists, who are paying some of the lowest gas prices we’ve seen since 2004. But David Dismukes, executive director at the LSU Center for Energy Studies, says low gas prices are not helping Louisiana’s economy…

CUT 8 (06) “right now”