Are lawmakers on track to end the regular session early so they can address the fiscal cliff in a special session? Jeff Palermo spoke with a capitol observer…
______________________________________
US Senator John Kennedy says he’s seriously considering a run for governor next year. Michael Farrar spoke with pollster Bernie Pinsonat…
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Michael Farrar”
_______________________________________
A Tulane University study shows that grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Kelley Ray has more…
____________________________________________
The legislative session is one month into it and lawmakers are nowhere close to passing any meaningful legislation. Political observers say the milk-toast session has had very little highlights so far. Jeremy Alford is the publisher of LaPolitics.com…
Alford says the main goal at this point is still to wrap up the regular session early, so they can immediately return in a special session to deal with the budget. But he says there doesn’t seem to be much urgency…
So will see any significant legislation pass in the regular session? Alford says the bills that will create new forms of gambling and loosen restrictions on the riverboat casinos are the most interesting to watch…
No exact date has been suggested as to when the session should end.
_________________________________________________
Speculation continues over who will run against Governor John Bel Edwards as we are 18 months out from the primary. Two Republicans have come to the forefront, U.S. Senator John Kennedy and U.S. Senator Ralph Abraham. Both say they are exploring the idea of running. Kennedy was asked about it Wednesday…
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says based on what Kennedy has said in the last few months, indicates to him Kennedy will make a run for the Governor’s Mansion…
Pinsonat says in order for the Republican Party to solidify their stance in the Governor’s race, Kennedy needs to make his intentions known soon…
Abraham has also been critical of Edwards and seems poised to start a campaign. But Pinsonat says if Kennedy decides to run, he’ll be the main GOP challenger…
_________________________________________________________
A Tulane study finds grade school students can benefit from yoga classes to help them manage stress and anxiety. Principal author Alessandra Bazzano (Ba-zon-no) says the New Orleans based third grade class was picked for the study since it is a crucial time of transition for them when academic expectations increase…
Bazzano says P.E. time has been reduced at schools nationwide, the study showed that students, no matter what age, need to be allowed other activities that take them out of the classroom…
Bazzano says more schools are participating in yoga sessions and their research finds it can improve a child’s well-being and emotional health…
_________________________________________________________
The Revenue Estimating Conference meets this morning to give an update on how big the revenue shortfall is for next fiscal year. Previous estimates put the deficit around a billion dollars, but Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s likely the R-E-C will recognize an additional 300-million dollars in revenues, because the state is collecting more income taxes as result of the federal tax overhaul…
Edwards says even if the shortfall is reduced to 700-million dollars, a special session is needed to pass a tax plan to fund critical priorities…
_______________________________________
The Saints are signing restricted free-agent wide receiver Cam Meredith. New Orleans offered him a two-year deal and the Chicago Bears, who control his rights, decided not to match the offer. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Meredith gives the Black and Gold a big target in the red zone and on third downs
Curtis Johnson who coached him in Chicago is the Saints wide receivers coach. Meredith caught 66 passes with the Bears in 2016, but missed all of last season with a knee injury. Detillier says if Meredith is healthy, quarterback Drew Brees will like throwing to the six-foot-three wide out
The first round of the NFL draft is two weeks from tonight. Detillier expects New Orleans to use the 27th pick to select a player on defense…