The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is pushing lawmakers to increase funding that would help parents pay for early childhood education…
cut 6 (10) “…ten years”
That’s executive director Melanie Bronfin who says single parents pay 38-percent of their income to send their infant to a child care center. Bronfin says other states use tobacco taxes and lottery funds to help provide early childhood subsidies for needy families.

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would give the state transportation department the ability to set up high occupancy vehicle lanes on congested roadways. That means vehicles with more than one passenger can use them as a way to encourage car pooling. Erdey says cameras can detect if a solo passenger uses an H-O-V lane…
cut 12 (04) “….the passenger seat”
Erdey says many of roadways are wide enough already for an HOV.

A bill has been filed to change the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which is a tax break for large manufacturers. When Governor John Bel Edwards took office he made a change to ITEP that now calls for local governments to approve the tax break. But Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says that has created problems…
cut 9 (09) “…in Texas”
Governor Edwards says the change to ITEP was a good one and it’s still a very generous tax break. Edmonds bill would call for the parish president, the sheriff and school board president to approve ITEP requests, instead of the entire school board, city council or parish council.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop has filed a bill that would rename I-10 as Who Dat Nation Highway….
cut 13 (10) “…in the world”
Senate Bill 134 directs the state department of transportation to erect signage at each parish line designating the new name, provided local or private funds are available.

Additional funding for early childhood education could be a hot topic in the fiscal session that begins next week. A state-commissioned panel recently concluded that 86-million dollars is needed for early child care programs to match public need and quality standards. There’s been talk that taxes from sports betting could go to early childhood education, but Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says that will generate only a small amount of money…
cut 5 (07) “…piece of the puzzle”

A Baton Rouge Representative is proposing a change to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which gives large manufacturers a significant property tax break. The Republican lawmaker wants the Parish President, Sheriff, and School Board President to review ITEP tax breaks requests. Rick Edmonds says at the moment, requesting an ITEP means working with a number of local boards.
Cut 7 (07) “…a different parish.”
Edmonds legislation is in response to the East Baton Rouge school board rejecting an ITEP request from Exxon.

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey wants to give the state department of transportation the authority to create a high occupancy vehicle lane on congested highways. Erdey says the extra lane is already there in many cases, and it wouldn’t take much funding to get it done…
cut 10 (07) “…accomplish this”
Erdey says cameras can be used to ticket solo drivers who use the H-O-V lane.

New legislation could see I-10 renamed in honor of the Black and Gold. Brooke Thorington has more from New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop…
voicer 3 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey has filed legislation that would create High Occupancy Vehicle lanes also known as HOV lanes in highly congested areas of the state. Erdey says drivers riding solo would not be allowed to drive in the lane, but they would still see benefits…
Cut 11 (08) “…lanes of highway.”

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children report shows the cost of childcare in the state is rapidly rising, up 35 percent from 2010 to 2016. Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state should pump more money into early childhood subsidies like California does with its dedicated tobacco tax….
Cut 4 (10) “…states.”
Sports betting could be legalized this session, and some early childhood proponents have suggested putting that tax money towards the program.

Another change to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which is a large property tax break for manufacturers could be possible if one Baton Rouge lawmaker gets his way in the upcoming legislative session. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m matt doyle.”

After an SEC title and a march to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, the future of the LSU basketball program is very uncertain. Many believe suspended coach Will Wade has coached his last game at LSU because of the FBI wire tap scandal. Wade has been subpoenaed to testify in a college basketball corruption trial that begins April 22nd. LSU could wait for that trial to end to see if they can keep Wade around, but but Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva will likely look to move on…
cut 11 (12) “lawsuit.”
Some of LSU’s top players will likely head to the NBA, because they are talented enough to do so and also NCAA sanctions could be coming.

A week from today, the legislative session will begin and once again a bill has been filed to prohibit the use of a hand held cell phone while behind the wheel. Author and Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says the technology for hands-free use of a cell phone in a vehicle is more widespread.
Cut 5 (10) “…though your vehicle.”
Similiar legislation has failed in previous years.

The federal farm bill approved last year gives states the opportunity to legalize the production of industrial hemp. Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder has filed legislation for the crop to be grown in Louisiana, with the state department of agriculture handling the regulations. Schexnayder says in 2017 Kentucky launched a hemp pilot program which demonstartated how profitable the plant could be…
cut 14 (09) “…one year”

A south Louisiana lawmaker wants Louisiana drivers to put down their cell phones in favor of a hands free device. Kevin Barnhart has more on a proposed law for the upcoming session…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Authorities are looking for 15-year-old Domeanna Spell of Port Barre. The white femal was last seen on Thursday morning after she got off the school bust at Port Barre High School. Police believe she may have runaway and could be with 47-year-old Cory Shane Disotel, who is believed to be traveling in a siver 2003 Honda Civic.

A week from today, the 2019 regular session will get underway. It’s an odd numbered year, so lawmakers can file bills to increase taxes or make changes with the state’s tax structure. Jeremy Alford of La-politics-dot-com expects two major tax issues to come up..
cut 9 (09) “…next term”
Lawmakers will also have to approve a budget and budget hearings on a spending plan begin today.

Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder has filed legislation to legalize the production of industrial hemp, which has many uses, including paper, texttiles, construction and health food. But hemp is not without it’s detractors who have expressed concern about the plants genealogical links to marijuana. Schexnayder says it is true hemp has some THC, but it’s really a completely different plant.
cut 15 (09) “….chihuahua”
Industrial hemp in many states is limited to .03 percent THC, a psychoactive substance. Recreational weed can have anywhere from 15 to 40 percent THC.

The 2019 session kicks off in seven days, but as of now they will do so without an official budget proposal from the governor…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The House Appropriations Committee will begin its budget hearings today. They’ll use Chairman Cameron Henry’s proposal to discuss the state’s spending plan for next fiscal year. Henry’s plan spends 134-million dollars less than what Governor Edwards has recommended and it includes money for teacher pay raises.

Gonzales Representative Clay Schexnayder is proposing to legalize hemp production in Louisiana. Last year’s federal farm bill permits states to regulate and grow hemp. He says the crop is a cash cow that is perfectly suited to the Louisiana climate, much like sugarcane.
Cut 13 (09) “…cooking oils”
Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson says industrial hemp would be a welcomed crop for Louisiana producers to diversify their harvest.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has filed legislation that would prohibit drivers from using a hand held cell phone while behind wheel. Huval says the proposed law would carry a few exceptions for hand held phone use, including first responders…
cut 6 (13) “….an exception also”
Similar legislation has failed in previous sessions.