House Republicans are looking to lower the state income tax even lower than the flat three-percent they did during the special session last fall. The House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. Author Julie Emerson of Carencro says it would make Louisiana more competitive in attracting business and residents.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to grow.”

The vote was 86 to 13, with all “no” votes coming from Democrats. New Orleans Representative Matthew Willard expressed concern about budget cuts because of a decline in state revenues especially since the state just lowered the state income tax five months ago…

Cut 14 (11) “…state’s revenue.”

On a tie vote, the House Insurance Committee failed to advance a bill that would have prohibited insurance companies from using credit scores as a factor in determining premiums. In Louisiana, drivers who have a poor or fair credit score pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Democrat Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability.

Cut 25 (07) “…bad credit.”

Committee Chairman Gabe Firment asked Jordan if his bill passed, when would drivers with poor credit actually see lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 26 (07) “…40 years.”

Opponents of the legislation also say drivers with low credit scores are more likely to sue in the hopes of getting a big settlement because of their financial situation. The vote was 9-to-9; on tie votes, bills do not advance. The committee could take it up again before the end of the session, but that appears to be unlikely.

House Republicans are looking to lower the state income tax even lower than the flat three-percent they did during the special session last fall. The House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. Author Julie Emerson says lowering the state’s income tax again would make Louisiana more competitive in attracting business and residents.

Cut 13 (11)  “…to grow.”

Getting the gas gauge to “full” is leaving bank accounts less “empty” in Louisiana. Regular unleaded in the state is averaging $2.70 a gallon. That’s down 50 cents from this time last year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says for the sake of comparison, you can forget about finding cheap gas on the West Coast.

Cut 11 (11) “…$4.82 a gallon.”

The National Weather Service is facing serious staffing challenges with over 1000 employees leaving due to Trump budget cuts, which could affect forecast accuracy heading into hurricane season. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Catholics in Louisiana and all across the country are hailing the election of the first U.S.-born pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Late this morning Central Time, the college of cardinals elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago. He has taken the papal name Leo the 14th.

Cheers erupt in St. Peter’s Square as white smoke starts billowing from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel, indicating that the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope – and for the first time in the history of the Catholic Church, the pope is an American. The cardinals elected Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago, and he has taken the papal name Pope Leo the 14th. His election happened shortly before 11:30 local time this morning on the second day of voting and the third ballot overall. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and theology professor Thomas Ryan says the timing is pretty much par for the course.

Cut 4 (04) “…to be elected.”

Gas prices in Louisiana are about 50 cents cheaper today than they were at this time last year. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says one big reason is a drop in the price of crude.

Cut 10 (05) “…barrel right now.”

Louisiana’s state income tax was lowered to three percent at the beginning of the year, and House Republicans would like to lower it again. The lower chamber has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to lower the state income tax from 3-percent to 2.75 percent beginning January 1st, 2027. The author of the bill is Carencro Republican Julie Emerson…

Cut 12 (10) “…some relief.”

The House approved the measure on an 86-13 vote. It will need two-thirds approval in the Senate and then it will go to the voters for approval.

“Habemus Papam” – “we have a pope.” Within the last hour, white smoke started billowing from the chimney atop the sistine chapel, which means the College of Cardinals has reached a two-thirds consensus on a new pope. Loyola University New Orleans Chaplain and theology professor Thomas Ryan says the process is very secretive to the point that the Cardinals tune the world out.

Cut 3 (11) “…praying with each other.” 

Hurricane season begins June 1st, but the National Weather Service faces serious staffing challenges. Since the start of President Trump’s second term, nearly one-thousand employees have left, leaving key offices in cities like Lake Charles understaffed. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim warns that this could delay critical weather alerts or spread inaccurate information.

Cut 6 (12) “…inform those models.”

If you want to see how good we have it in Louisiana, go to another part of the country and stop at a gas station. Gas prices in Louisiana are among the cheapest in the nation. In fact, Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are about 50 cents lower today than they were at this time last year. 

Cut 9 (07)  “…$3.20 a gallon.”

A bill that would have prohibited insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Louisiana Progress Executive Director Peter Robins-Brown.

The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The committee also passed a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last September 21st, LSU was forced to play a home game at 2:30 p-m with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg says he went to the game with a group of friends; only two made it to halftime.

The House Insurance Committee fails to advance a bill that would have prohibited auto insurance companies from using credit scores as a factor in determining insurance rates. Committee Chairman Gabe Firment asked the author, Baton Rouge Democrat Edmond Jordan, whether drivers with poor credit would actually see lower rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

The vote was 9-to-0; a tie vote means the bill does not advance. It’s unlikely that the committee will take it up again this session.

If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says REAL IDs are also required to enter certain federal offices.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says non REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses will work for everything else.

The House Education Committee passes a bill that would require universities to offer a privacy waiver to students that would allow the schools to contact their parents during a mental health crisis. Sean Richardson has testimony from the bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The House Education Committee advances a resolution discouraging LSU home football games in September before six p-m. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A proposal to prohibit insurance companies from using a person’s credit score to determine their auto insurance rate fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee. Andrew Greenstein has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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The House Education Committee approves a bill that would allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

The bill requires schools to offer students an optional privacy waiver, enabling communication with a trusted contact in emergencies. Boyd says there’s a need for this measure, citing a recent suicide at Xavier University.

Cut 5 (07) “…a different way.”

Legislators on the committee supported the bill as a “fail safe.” Boyd noted that early intervention, prompted by behavioral changes, might prevent tragic outcomes.

Cut 6 (12) “…it’s too late.”

The bill advances to the full House.

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The House Education Committee advances a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last season, they made LSU play a game at 2:30 in the afternoon last September 21st, with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

Illg noted that many fans in the east stands, which get the most direct sunlight that time of day, were not around to see LSU pull away for the 34-to-17 win.

Cut 8 (06) “…it to halftime.”

While Illg’s resolution singles out LSU, he would hope that other schools in Louisiana would follow suit in asking that their home games in September not be scheduled for afternoons.

Cut 9 (10)  “…month of September.”

Last year, a new TV contract began between the SEC and ESPN that’s worth three-billion dollars. Ultimately, it’s up to ESPN to decide when kickoff times are scheduled.

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A bill that would prohibit insurance companies from using credit score as a factor in determining insurance rates fails to get out of the House Insurance Committee by one vote. In Louisiana, drivers who have a poor or fair credit score pay higher premiums than drivers with very good or excellent credit scores. Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan says a credit score doesn’t determine a person’s driving ability…

Cut 10 (07) “…bad credit.”

The vote on Jordan’s bill was nine to nine, which means it does not advance to the House floor, unless another vote is taken, which is unlikely. House Insurance Chairman Gabe Firment raised concerns that by reducing the insurance premiums for drivers with low credit scores, it will raise premiums for drivers with a high credit rating…

Cut 11 (14) “…make that projection”

Firment asked that question to Peter Robins-Brown, the executive director of the Louisiana Progress.

Firment asked Jordan if his bill passed, when would drivers with poor credit actually see lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 12 (07) “…40 years.”

Opponents of the legislation also say drivers with low credit scores are more likely to sue in the hopes of getting a big settlement because of their financial situation.

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If you use your driver’s license as your main form of identification to board a commercial flight, it now has to be REAL ID compliant. But if you haven’t gotten your REAL ID yet, there’s no need to worry. Matt Boudreaux with the Office of Motor Vehicles says you have alternatives at the TSA checkpoint.

Cut 13 (13)  “…REAL ID compliant.”

Boudreaux says while a driver’s license without the gold star in the upper right-hand corner will no longer be enough to seamlessly get through TSA, you can use it for just about everything else.

Cut 14 (06) “…changes on that.”

Boudreaux says certain federal offices will also require REAL IDs.

Cut 15 (12) “…before you visit.”

Boudreaux says for the time being, you can actually still get through TSA with a driver’s license that’s not REAL ID compliant; you’ll be subjected to a lot more scrutiny.

The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote on Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill was 71-to-28. Glorioso’s bill has the support of several Democrats, including Jason Hughes of New Orleans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Not all of Glorioso’s fellow Republicans are on board with his bill, however. Mike Bayham of Chalmette says a hand-held cell phone ban will disproportionately affect a certain group of people.

Cut 14 (12) “…don’t have Bluetooth.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate.

The House Education Committee advances a bill to allow colleges and universities to contact parents or designated individuals if a student experiences a mental health crisis or poses a risk to themselves or others. New Orleans Democrat Delisha Boyd says currently schools are not allowed to contact parents about their child’s mental health.

Cut 4 (10) “…paying for it all.”

Earlier in the meeting, the committee advanced a resolution asking the SEC not to schedule LSU home football games in September before six p-m. It’s being proposed by Harahan Republican John Illg, who noted that last September 21st, LSU had to play a home game at 2:30 in the afternoon, with a gametime temperature of 90 degrees.

Cut 7 (05) “…be treated medically.”

If your car does not have Bluetooth, you might want to invest in an FM transmitter soon. The House has advanced a bill that would make hand-held cell phone use while driving illegal except in emergencies. The bill’s author, Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso, says distracted driving is a huge problem in the state, and it’s one of the reasons that auto insurance rates in Louisiana are so high.

Cut 12 (11) “…distracted driving.”

Fellow Republican Mike Bayham of Chalmette is against it. He says a hand-held cell phone ban would not instantly make bad drivers better.

Cut 15 (06) “…car or not.”

A similar bill last year failed in the House, 71-to-22. It was almost the complete opposite this year, with the House passing it by a vote of 71-to-28. It now moves to the Senate.

National Democrats are encouraging former Governor John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026. The New York Times reports Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has spoken with Edwards about the race, but Edwards has not confirmed his interest. Even though Republican incumbent Bill Cassidy is facing a challenge in the state’s newly-closed primary, Democrats expect him to survive. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the big question will be how the closed primary will affect Cassidy.

Cut 10 (12) “…especially the Republicans.”

More and more people are getting scam text messages claiming that they have an unpaid toll road charge. Rodney Mallett with DOTD says that’s something that the department simply does not do. 

Cut 6 (08) “…asking for fines”

The House has passed a bill that would ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving, except in emergencies. The vote on Slidell Republican Brian Glorioso’s bill was 71-to-28. Glorioso’s bill has the support of several Democrats, including Jason Hughes of New Orleans.

Cut 13 (09)  “…they were distracted.”

Not all of Glorioso’s fellow Republicans are on board with his bill, however. Mike Bayham of Chalmette says a hand-held cell phone ban will disproportionately affect a certain group of people.

Cut 14 (12) “…don’t have Bluetooth.”

Last year, a similar bill failed by almost the exact same margin, 71-to-22. The bill now moves to the Senate

National Democrats are reportedly urging former Governor John Bel Edwards to run for Senate in 2026.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

South Louisiana is not out of the woods yet with heavy rains. A flood watch remains in effect for South Louisiana through tomorrow. Some areas got pummeled over the last 24 hours; parts of Beauregard Parish got upwards of nine inches of rain.

The House Ways and Means Committee advances a proposed constitutional amendment that would give voters the opportunity to decide whether parishes should have the option to increase the homestead exemption by five-thousand dollars in assessed value. The bill’s author, New Orleans Democrat Matthew Willard, says since the homestead exemption has not increased since 1980, people are getting priced out of their homes.

Cut 13 (10)  “…it’s not affordable.”

Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry spoke out against Willard’s bill. He says Louisiana already generates a disproportionately low amount of property tax revenue relative to other states.

Cut 16 (15) “…44-percent.”

A bill that would make kratom illegal in Louisiana moves to the House. The Senate passed S-B 154 yesterday on a vote of 26-to-11, split right down party lines. The author, West Monroe Republican Jay Morris, says kratom – sometimes known as “gas station heroin” – has already been banned in several places.

Cut 7 (09) “…grown in Asia.”

Addis native and Brusly High graduate John Foster is still in the running to be the next American Idol. He is now in the Top 7. Brusly High Principal Walt Lemoine says Foster is an unassuming star; and the first time he heard Foster perform, he says he never expected that voice from one of his students.

Cut 6 (10) “…out of him?”

Watch Foster perform this Sunday on ABC.