A Senate committee approves legislation that extends the state contract’s with Harrah’s New Orleans Casino for at least another 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more.
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The Governor has put out the call for a special session to start May 22nd. Michael Farrar has the story.
Cut 2 (30) I’m Michael Farrar”
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A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in criminal trails flies through the House. Matt Doyle has more.
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Louisiana’s deadline for filing your state taxes is today. Those who do not file in time will be subject to a 5% of tax due penalty for each 30 days of delinquence. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says if you need more time to file, the department has an option for you.
But Henderson says being granted an extension does not give you more time to pay the taxes without late fees.
As of May 12, 2018, LDR has distributed 1,145,124 state individual income tax refunds.
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A bill that would renew the state’s contract with Harrah’s New Orleans Casino passed a Senate Committee on a 4-3 vote. The legislation, which was heavily amended, is a 20 year contract with a ten year renewal option. Caesar’s Entertainment, who owns Harrah’s, sent their regional president Dan Real to argue for the contract renewal.
Harrah’s has six years remaining on their current contract, a point that has many opponents arguing that the renegotiation should be postponed.
The deal has received intense scrutiny from leading figures such as US Senator John Kennedy who called it a “bad deal”. Financial Consultant Randy Waeshce says after reviewing fiscal reports and industry analysis, its apparent that Harrah’s is underperforming.
But Real argued that the tens of millions of dollars the casino has agreed to pay to the state, and large number of employees they employ would be irreplaceable.
The amendments added increased the amount of money Harrah’s would contribute to the city and state.
Houma Senator Norby Chabert engaged Real about just how much the business would be contributing to state coffers.
The bill heads to the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs.
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Governor John Bel Edwards has put out the call for a special session that would begin May 22nd, and end June 4th. During the special session, revenue could be raised that would potentially plug the 648 million dollar state budget shortfall resulting from expiring sales taxes. The February special session fell apart just days into the process, but Edwards is optimistic that the second time is the charm.
The budget shortfall has forced the legislature to reckon with a lack of funds, with a House budget that slashed healthcare to spare education, including the elimination of public-private partnership hospitals, and a Senate budget that favored healthcare over higher ed and agency funding. Edwards says they have no choice but to raise revenues in response.
Edwards is hoping the legislature adopts his revenue plan that would keep a portion of a expiring penny sales tax, while eliminating sales tax exemptions for certain industries.
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The House erupted into applause as a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous juries for criminal convictions passed without opposition on an 82 to 15 vote. Louisiana is currently one of two states that does not require a unanimous jury verdict. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James recalled earlier testimony about the law’s racist past.
Albany Representative Sherman Mack called on an often divided chamber to come together on a bill that he says is supported by many legal experts.
He closed with a simple appeal to his colleagues.
The amendment would need a majority vote of the people to be enacted into law.