Despite concerns that there are not enough regulations in place, a measure that will help bring ride sharing car services to rural areas advances out of a Senate committee that killed the bill the previous two years. Uber driver Gwendolyn Wallace says there are more checks and balances on her than taxi cab drivers…
cut 9 (07) “…65 in a 60”
The House backed measure heads to the Senate floor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking lawmakers to increase funding for early childhood education by 18-million dollars in the proposed budget that’s currently under discussion in the Senate Finance committee. Superintendent of Education John White says the money will have a short-term and long-term impact on the state’s economy…
cut 13 (12) “…children”
The Edwards administration has been criticized for not putting more money towards pre-K education.

Legislation that would keep secret the identities of companies that sell Louisiana lethal injection drugs headsto the Senate…
cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Senate committee approves legislation that would allow hemp to be grown in Louisiana. But Jonesboro Senator Jim Fanin is skeptical that hemp will be productive crop for farmers…
cut 5 (06) “…in jeopardy”
The House-backed bill now head to the Senate floor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is asking the state legislature to increase early education funding by another 18-million dollars. Some of that cash will be used to help low income families pay for their children to receive Pre-K education…
cut 12 (10) “…do that”
Edwards has faced criticism for not backing more funding for early childhood education.

The Senate Ag Committee approves a proposal that would legalize the growth of hemp, but the bill is loaded with regulations to prevent growers from turning the product into recreational marijuana. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says his office will have regulatory authority over the growing of hemp…
cut 6 (11) “…percent”
The House approved bill advances to the Senate floor.

The Louisiana House has passed the lethal injection secrecy bill. It would keep secret the drugs used to carry out a lethal injection in Louisiana. But opponents cried foul about the ethics of keeping contractual details away from taxpayers. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says if drug companies that make lethal serums are proud of their work, they should stand behind it.
Cut 15 (13) “use”
Despite the objection, the bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Legislation to establish a statewide framework for rideshare services like Lyft and Uber advances out of a Senate Judiciary A on a 2-1 vote, the same committee where the measure died the two previous years. Metairie Senator Danny Martini explains his opposition…
Cut 7 (08) “…regulate this industry.”
The House approved bill that’s now heading to the Senate floor would have D-O-T-D regulate ride sharing services.

The full Senate approves legislation that would give voters a chance to declare that abortions are unconstitutional. House Bill 425 makes it clear that it’s not a right in Louisiana to have an abortion. So if Roe versus Wade is overturned, supporters say this measure will make sure that abortions are not legal in Louisiana.

A statewide framework regulating rideshare services clears a legislative hurdle in the Senate Judiciary A Committee. Kevin Barnhart has more on the House approved measure.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Legislation to legalize industrial hemp production and CBD oil in Louisiana cleared the Senate Ag Committee, but not without a list of amendments that places heavy regulations on both products. It received the backing of Senate Ag Chair Francis Thompson, who previously opposed the bill, but backed it after the regulations were added…
cut 4 (08) “…activity”
Governor Edwards says he backs industrial hemp regulation, and if he were to sign it into law the crop could be grown as early as 2020.

The full House has approved a bill that would keep it a secret on who supplied the drugs to carry out a lethal injection in Louisiana. The bill’s author, Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello, was asked what would happen if a state employee leaks the sellers to the media…
Cut 16 (08) “… aware of.”
The measure still needs Senate approval.

Hammond Representative Nicky Muscarello’s bill that would conceal the identity of the drug supplier for death penalty lethal injections passes the House floor on a 68-10 vote. Muscarello says this legislation is modeled after a Texas law that provides full details about the chemicals, but not who sold it.
Cut 14 (08) “…provide.”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

A bill attempting to bring Uber and Lyft to all areas of the state passed out of a Senate committee, which killed similiar legislation the last two years. The taxi cab industry opposes, owner of United Cab Company in New Orleans Leonard Guidroz, says he believes cabs should be deregulated in an effort to compete..
cut 8 (05) “….as a taxi cab”
Taxicabs are regulated by the Public Service Commission, but under this bill, Lyft and Uber would be regulated by the state department of transportation.

Industrial hemp and CBD regulation clears a key Senate committee, but not without having a laundry list of regulations attached to the activity on it’s way to the Senate floor…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A proposal to legalize sports betting in Louisiana received the approval of the House Criminal Justice Committee, which is a panel that has several anti-gambling lawmakers on it. Albany Representative Sherman Mack expressed concern that college athletes, who need money, may get involved in throwing games in order to earn money. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they can already do that…
Cut 13 (09) “…first quarter”
The measure received approval on a 10-6 vote and still needs full House approval.

A Senate panel agrees to legislation that extends the New Orleans Harrah’s land-based casino license for 30 years. Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.
Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”
Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards is promising a better Ruston as the state has begun the process of seeking federal assistance to help Louisiana Tech, businesses and homeowners rebuild from last month’s EF-3 tornado. Edwards made the statement at La Tech’s baseball stadium that has to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (11) “…of Ruston”
No word on when the federal government will announce whether the area qualifies for disaster assistance.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would set the minimum age to get married at 16-years-old. It passed on a 22-15 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the proposal, saying it will help combat human trafficking…
cut 8 (08) “…marriage age”
Opponents of the measure say an arbitrary number shouldn’t be set on when a couple wants to tie the knot.

A bill setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana at 16-years-old advances out of the Senate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________

The bill to bring legalized sports betting to Louisiana casinos and racetracks clears another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado.  Edwards says unfortunately because of bureaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive

Cut 3 (10) “…normal.”

La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile

Cut 4 (10) “…started today.” 

Edwards says once the rebuild is over, Louisiana Tech and the city of Ruston will be stronger…

Cut 5 (11) “…city of Ruston.”

______________________________

The Senate has advanced a bill to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of four years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18.   Bill author Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Colomb, says minimum ages are set in other aspects in life in an effort to protect young people.

Cut 6 (09) “…could live with.”

Winnfield Senator Gerald Long spoke in opposition of the bill, saying that less than 1% marry before the age of 18, adding the arbitrary number could result in unintended consequences.

Cut 7 (11) “…to allow that.”

New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the regulation, saying it combats human trafficking in the state.

Cut 8 (12) “…marriage age”

The bill advances to the House following a 22-15 vote.

___________________________________________

A 30-year license extension for the Harrah’s land-based casino  in New Orleans  heads to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing a Senate committee. The deal features tens of millions of dollars in payments to the state, and calls for 325 million in upgrades to the facility, including a new hotel. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz says it’s a fair deal.

Cut 9 (10) “…stability”

Reoccurring revenue from the deal will be sent to education specific funds.

Last year the renewal push fell apart amidst cries that Louisiana was getting ripped off relative to similar deals in other states, so this year’s deal will pay the state 130 million dollars more over the length of the deal. Satz says this agreement is incline with the national market.

Cut 10 (12) “…there.“

Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.

Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”

Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars, and the City of New Orleans will receive 7.5 million.

___________________________

The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Opponents say it’s an expansion of gambling, but Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says sports betting is already taking place illegally, so why not regulate it

cut 12(12)   “…your not””

Albany Representative Sherman Mack expressed that college athletes, who need money, may get involved in throwing games in order to win money. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they can already do that…

Cut 13 (09) “…first quarter”

Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill because she says sports betting can destroy families. But Martiny says that can happen now and the state gets no benefit from it, because it’s not regulated

Cut 14 (11) “…this to you” 

The sports betting bill has already been approved by the Senate and it may end up before House Appropriations to examine the fiscal impact to the state.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a bill that would set the minimum age to get married at 16-years-old. It passed on a 22-15 vote. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the proposal, saying it will help combat human trafficking…
cut 8 (08) “…marriage age”
Opponents of the measure say an arbitrary number shouldn’t be set on when a couple wants to tie the knot.

Governor John Bel Edwards is promising a better Ruston as the state has begun the process of seeking federal assistance to help Louisiana Tech, businesses and homeowners rebuild from last month’s EF-3 tornado. Edwards made the statement at La Tech’s baseball stadium that has to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (11) “…of Ruston”
No word on when the federal government will announce whether the area qualifies for disaster assistance.

A Senate panel agrees to legislation that extends the New Orleans Harrah’s land-based casino license for 30 years. Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.
Cut 11 (09)“numbers.”
Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars.

Today is Early Childhood Education Day and advocates are using this day to push for 31-million dollars in additional funding to help reduce a wait list that has families on it, seeking funding to send their young children to child care. But the governor wants to spend an additional 39-million dollars on public schools. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says education is not successful without both…
cut 15 (07) “….those things”