Democratic lawmaker Ted James spoke before the Baton Rouge Press Club to give his thoughts on the legislative session. Emelie Gunn has more…
______________________________________
The House Ways and Means Committee will look at proposed changes to the state sales tax today. Jeff Palermo has more on a proposal from Houma Representative Tanner Magee…
______________________________________
LSU’s Sensory Services Lab is seeking food lovers to volunteer as Tiger Tasters on the Baton Rouge campus. Halen Doughty has more…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”
______________________________________
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he supports Governor John Bel Edwards’ tax reform plan, which includes getting rid of tax incentives on big corporations and reducing personal income taxes. But the Democrat says the governor’s proposals have not gained a lot of traction among Republicans and there no alternatives at this point.
James also supports changes to the criminal justice system. James says cutting down on the number of non-violent offenders in prison will save the state millions of dollars. He says 700 million dollars of taxpayer money is spent each year and Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the world.
James has filed legislation that would increase the amount of training police officers receive. That’s in response to the fatal officer involved shooting of Alton Sterling last July. James says he’s spoken with many law enforcement officers who want to address ways to improve the force.
______________________________________
The House Ways and Means continues its review of the various bills to change Louisiana’s tax structure in an effort to provide more budget stability. Today the panel looks at sales taxes. Houma Representative Tanner Magee has a proposal to lower the state sales tax from five to two-percent, and remove the unnecessary exemptions when a sales tax is not collected.
Magee expects some stiff opposition to removing some of the exemptions. But he says there are plenty of unnecessary cases when sales taxes are exempted at the time of a purchase.
Magee says Louisiana has the highest combined state and local sales tax in the country. He says lowering the rate could mean expanding the sales tax base to include services and other items that are not currently taxed.
_________________________________________________________
As lawmakers look at structural tax reform, a big idea floating around the capitol involves eliminating unnecessary tax exemptions. A bill by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell that would do just that is heading to the Senate floor. The proposal would scrap the education tax credit that parents or guardians are able to claim.
Morrell estimates eliminating this credit would create $11 million in savings for the state budget. He says that money could be more wisely invested in other education programs with more proven results.
Morrell proposes investing those savings into programs like TOPS and the school readiness tax credits.
Cut 12 (08) “kindergarten ready”
_______________________________________
If you love to eat, LSU needs your help. The Sensory Services Lab on the Baton Rouge campus is recruiting Tiger Tasters to sample tasty new foods before they hit the shelves. Sensory Services Lab Manager Ashley Gutierrez says the AgCenter works with food companies around the country developing new healthy food items.
Gutierrez says anyone over 18 can sign up to be a Tiger Taster. She says the companies involved in the taste tests decide who they want to sample their products.
Gutierrez says all you have to do as a Tiger Tester is come to their state of the art lab and sample foods. She says the great thing about this program is it gives consumers a chance to tell companies what they think about the product before it’s released.
To sign up to be a Tiger Taster, visit the LSU School of Food and Nutrition website.
___________________________________________________
For the first time in the school’s history, McNeese State baseball is ranked in a top 25 poll. They are ranked by Collegiate Baseball as the 23rd best in the country. The Cowboys are 26-9 and 16-2 in the Southland and in first place in the standings. Head Coach Justin Hill says it’s a great moment for the program…
Rhett Deaton and Austin Sanders have been solid weekend starters for the Cowboys and Hill says the bullpen has been consistent, helping the Pokes become one of the top pitching teams in the Southland…
McNeese will play its first game as a ranked team tonight when they face Louisiana Tech. It’s the start of an eight game road trip for the Cowboys. Hill believes his team is ready for this long stretch away from home
___________________________________________________
In New Orleans tonight, Tulane hosts the Ragin Cajuns. UL Lafayette is 21-14-and one this season, but Coach Tony Robichaux is well aware of his team’s troubles in midweek games, especially at the plate…
Cut 19 (19) “middle of the week”
Tonight’s game against Tulane is the start of a five-game week for the Cajuns. Coach Tony Robichaux says it’s always difficult playing this many games during a week…