The House Labor Committee rejects a proposal that would let cities and parishes establish their own minimum wage. It faced opposition from business lobbyist groups like the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Vice president for governmental relations for LABI says a higher minimum wage above the statewide minimum of $7.25 could lead to layoffs…
cut 6 (07) “…let go”
It appears that once again an effort to raise the minimum wage will not make it through the legislative session.

Motorists are seeing a bit of relief at the pump, which is welcomed news as the summer driving season draws closer. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the current the statewide average price for a gallon of regular gas is 14-cents cheaper than this time last year.
Cut 7 (09) “…$2.48 a gallon.”
Redman says a decline in demand has led to a drop in gasoline prices.

Louisiana meets a long held goal of obtaining a four-year high school graduation rate over 80 percent. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The wife of former US Senator David Vitter, Wendy Vitter, has been confirmed for a lifetime seat as a federal judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana. The US Senate voted in favor of her confirmation.

A proposal to allow local governments to set their own minimum wage fails in a House Committee 9-6. In 1997, Louisiana passed a preemption law overriding local wage requirements in favor of a statewide minimum. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he brought the bill because local voters know better than the state what their workers need to survive…
Cut 3 (09) “…economies.”
But the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry opposed the measure. LABI vice president of governmental relations Jim Patterson says the proposal would place an undue burden on many businesses.
Cut 4 (07) “…untenable”

Over in the House Ag committee, they did not take up a proposal to prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal.

Educators in Louisiana are celebrating a milestone. The high school graduation rate is the highest ever and the graduation rate for African American students has surpassed the national average. State Education Superintendent John White.
Cut 7 (11) “…rate.”
White also says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012.

A House approved bill by Belle Chase Representative Chris Leopold that would allow grocery and liquor stores to delivery factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is headed to the Senate floor. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson asked about the chance of enabling an addiction.
Cut 12 (09) “…I mean really?”
Under the bill, the employee making the delivery would have the authority to determine if someone is already too drunk to be served.

The state Senate has approved a one-thousand dollar pay raise for teachers, plus 39-million dollars in block grant funding for public schools. The House has already said they support a 12-hundred dollar pay hike for teachers, but they do not support giving public schools additional dollars. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says if you don’t increase funding for public schools teachers, then teachers will have to use more of their own money to pay for school supplies…
cut (09) “…to the classroom”
This dispute over education funding will likely not be settled until the final days of the legislative session, which ends June 6th.

A woman was fatally shot in the face early this morning in the nine-hundred block of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Police have arrested 33-year-old Alexander Kirby in connection with the killing. He’s been charged with second-degree murder.

A House approved proposal to allow grocery and liquor stores to delver factory sealed alcohol to a person’s home is nearing final legislative passage. Lobbyist Alton Ashy the person making the delivery would have to be a store employee certified by ACT to very recipient’s age. Ashy that’s just one of many safe guards the legislation has…
cut 11 (09) “…all times”
The proposal heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The House Ag Committee was expected to hear a bill at this hour that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registry, similar to the state’s sex offender registry….
cut 4 (10) “….convicted animal abusers”
The author of the proposal is Amite Representative Robby Carter.

The Senate backs an education funding proposal that calls for a 1,000 dollar teacher pay raise and 39 million dollars in additional funds for public schools, setting the stage for a showdown with the House…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Rolling Stones announces that the legendary rock band will perform in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on July 14th. Rolling Stones had to cancel its Jazz Fest performance because frontman Mick Jagger needed medical treatment.

Louisiana’s high school graduation rate has hit a record high for the state at 81-percent. State Education Superintendent John White says the graduation rate for black students has surpassed the national average. And White says the number of students qualifying for the TOPS scholarship program has increased by five-thousand since 2012, which means more students are receiving an education beyond high school…
cut 9 (11) “…family”

Coming up in the next hour, the House Ag committee will consider a bill that would prohibit a person convicted of animal abuse from owning an animal. Humane Society of Louisiana Director Jeff Dorson says the legislation would create an animal abuser registery, so that pet stores, animal shelters and others can see if a person has animal abuse convictions in their history….
cut 6 (10) “…probably next session”

Legislation allowing medical marijuana patients to use an inhaler to get the therapeutic cannabis in their system passes on a 73-3 vote in the House and is headed to the Senate. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says his bill does not legalize smoking medical marijuana for those who get a prescription…
cut 13 (09) “….inhalation”
Doctors say inhaling medical marijuana allows patients to get quicker relief from their symptoms.

18 would be the minimum age to get married under legislation heading to the Senate floor after getting committee approval. But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says he’s not sure if 18 is the right number…
cut 12 (11) “…happens sometimes”
More discussion is expected on the Senate floor.

Republican Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has picked up another challenger for this fall’s election. New Orleans flower and vegetable farmer Margee Green says Strain has put up red tape to slow down the state’s effort medical marijuana program and that hurts the ag industry…
cut 5 (11) “….more economically viable”
Strain has said he’s following state law when it comes to the testing requirements for medical marijuana produced in Louisiana.

Today is tax day in Louisiana as taxpayers have until the end of today to file their state income tax returns. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says if you need more time, you can file for an extension on the department’s website, but that only gives you more time to file…
cut 8 (10) “…late payment penalties.