The Lt. Governor says he’s working to get New Orleans to relinquish control of the four Confederate monuments taken down in 2017, and turn them over to a group dedicated to historic preservation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Motorists in Alexandria will begin seeing changes to the speed limit on I-49 beginning today.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser gave an update on the status of the four New Orleans Confederate monuments today on Talk Louisiana, saying he’s working to get the city to transfer control of them. There’s one major roadblock though, and that’s P.G.T Beauregard, who isn’t controlled by the city…

Cut 3 (11) “…forward”

The monuments were taken down in 2017, sparking an intense series of standoffs in front of the statues in multiple areas of the city.

Rumors circulated after the monument’s removal that private citizens were cutting deals to have the statues transferred to their property, but Nungesser says none of those efforts were ever completed. Despite the initial failures, the Lt. Governor says some private citizens are still making an attempt.

Cut 4 (07) “…there″

Nungesser says right now the monuments are still being stored, and are not in the best condition at the moment, so he’s pushing to have the them transferred to a historic preservation group comprised of historical experts and academics who understand the history of the old statues.

Cut 5 (10)  “…forward.”
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Motorists on I-49 in the urbanized areas of Alexandria will see an increase in the speed limit. DOTD spokesperson Erin Buchanan says today crews are changing out the speed limits signs in the area.

Cut 6 (09) “…to 65 mph.”

The remaining portions in the Alexandria will see an increase from 60 to 70 miles per hour.

Buchanan says the change will see plenty of benefits as many of the drivers are already accustomed to driving the new speed limit.

Cut 7 (11) “…things like that.”

Buchanan says speed studies were conducted to calculate the optimal new speed for the area.

Cut 8 (12) “…feel comfortable driving.”

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Many Food Stamp beneficiaries will be receiving their funds on a modified schedule next month as the program wraps up it’s government shutdown inspired scheduling changes. DCFS Division of Family Support Deputy Assistant Secretary Sammy Guillory says those who normally get their SNAP on the 10th through the 14th will instead get their funds on the 9th.

Cut 9 (11) “…freak out”

Guillory says they had to make the change to make sure some of their recipients did not end up going too long without their food assistance.

Cut 10 (09)“…issuances.”

Guillory says this should be the last month featuring disturbances to the usual SNAP cycle, after months of having to continually modify the schedule due to SNAP gaps caused by the shutdown.

Cut 11 (09)   “…in may”

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House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris used today’s joint legislative budget committee to question Governor Edwards re-election claims that taxes have gone down during his term. The state representative from Alexandria says taxes are actually higher than they were when Edwards took office…

Cut 12 (07) “…in taxes.”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says a combination of cuts and tax increases were needed to overcome a massive budget deficit. Dardenne reminds Harris that deeper cuts to the state budget could have been made, but the state legislature never presented a plan

Cut 13 (07) “…those things.”

When tax increases were proposed, the Edwards administration warned of dramatic cuts to higher education and health care, if not approved.

The state sales tax is about a half-cent lower than it was last year, but still higher than the four-percent during the Jindal administration. Harris points out some business taxes have also increased…

Cut 14 (10) “…three years ago”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is set to get more job security and a bump in pay. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Im Jeff Palermo”

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Taxes are due in less than a month.  Kevin Barnhart talks with Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson about how to reduce the risk of a bumpy experience.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The two Republicans running to unseat Governor Edwards have different thoughts in how they’d approach healthcare and education if elected. Matt Doyle was there for their joint public apperance….

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott slammed Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards for his handling of the state’s economy, going as far to say that Edwards has made his job easier when it comes to attracting jobs to the Longhorn state. Abbott says Texas’ economy is growing, because of a business friendly environment, and wished the same for Louisiana, but…

Cut 4 (08) “…incentive.”

The comments were made yesterday in Baton Rouge at the Republican Governor’s Association business round table that included GOP candidates for Governor, Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham.

Abbott targeted the Edwards’ decision to reform a tax break known as the Industrial Tax Exemption, as an example of policies that have companies fleeing west out of the Bayou State…

Cut 5 (11) “…struggle.”

Edwards Campaign spokesperson Eric Holl hit back, noting the Republican Governor Association’s past support for former Governor Bobby Jindal…

Cut 6 (11) “…us back”

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The LSU Board of Supervisors will vote tomorrow on a contract extension and raise for head football coach Ed Orgeron. The proposed deal would extend Orgeron for another two years, through the 2023 season and he’ll get a 14-percent increase in pay, boosting his salary to four-million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says the contract seems justified…

Cut 7 (11) “…head coach”

Some college football analysts outside of Louisiana said Orgeron was on the hot seat heading into the 2018 season, but that changed after the Tigers outperformed expectations. Moran says the contract extension will help the LSU football program build on last year’s success…

Cut 8 (09) “good thing.”

Orgeron’s buyout would increase to 10-million dollars with the amount set to decrease by 250-thousand dollars each month through March 2021 and then remain at four-million dollars for the rest of the contract. Athletic Director Joe Alleva has already signed the deal, it just needs the Board’s approval which Moran says should happen….

Cut 9 (08) “…won it″

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There’s less than a month left before federal taxes are due. Metairie CPA Tyler Johnson says the last few weeks have been mighty busy and getting busier as April 15^th draws closer. Johnson says procrastinating in scheduling a time to sit down with someone to do your taxes could be a big mistake.

Cut 10 (12) “…toward April 15th”

Johnson says one of the biggest things is making sure to keep an eye on the mail to make sure you get your tax docs together, whether its W-2s, 1099s, or health insurance.

Cut 11 (06) “things you’re missing.”

Johnson says for those that need to file a six-month extension, it’s important to remember that the extension is only for filing a return, not for paying money if you owe on your taxes.

Cut 12 (07) “…the shortfall was.”

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Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone, the two Republicans running against Governor Edwards in this year’s governor’s race, showed some differences in policy approach following a a business round table discussion hosted by the Republican Governor’s Association. Abraham says if elected he would not undo the Medicaid expansion, but it would be reformed.

Cut 13 (11) “…economics.”

Abraham says his experience as a rural doctor would help guide his decisions on Medicaid reform.

Rispone had a different plan though. He also agreed that the expansion should not be rolled back, but says considering recent reports of improper spending in the Medicaid program, he would put a hold on new applicants until the Department of Health could rectify it’s problem with ineligible recipients on the rolls.

Cut 14 (11) “…properly.”

Rispone says he would aim to have any freeze only be temporary, until a review of the program could be completed.

Both candidates agreed there needed to be some form of teacher pay raise, but they differed on how it should be put in place. When asked about a proposed 5,000 dollar Texas teacher pay raise, Abraham says a Bayou State version is long overdue, and that he’d pay for it with tax reform.

Cut 15 (10) “…invest in”

But Rispone, who was heavily involved in education issues at the Capitol before his candidacy, disagreed with giving all teachers a raise. He says not every educator has earned the income bump, and he’d rather let local school systems determine who should see a bigger paycheck.

Cut 16  (08) “demand” 

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