Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…
Cut 2 (31) ” I’m Connor Ferrill”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s optimistic the legislature is ont he right track to a successful conclusion of the special session. But members of the Legislative Black Caucus says they will vote against any sales tax proposal that doesn’t fill the entire deficit. None of the measures approved in committee yesterday do so.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle. North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.
Cut 7 (05) “…wind is free.”
The lone no vote came from PSC member Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says he could not vote to have SWEPCO customers finance an unneeded generation project that will only save them money if the price fo natural gas increases singificantly.

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…
Cut 4 (08) “….into the economy”
Abraham says there is federal money for the project, but the state will have to pay a portion of the costs.

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not, significant cuts will occur…
Cut 10 (11) “…cut”
And that cut to higher education was one reason why college students rallied outside of the state capitol late yesterday afternoon. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says the lack of funding may have students finiding they can’t complete what they started with their education endeavors…
cut 14 (09) “….not being fully funded”
The full House is set to convene at 10:30 this morning. It will take 70 yes votes for the tax proposals.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved utility provider SWEPCO’s plan to purchase part of the Wind Catcher project. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

A new state-of-the-art weight room opens today at Lafayette High School thanks to a significant donation from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’ Neal.

With a week to go in the special session, the House Ways and Means committee approves three different sales tax bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Five star cornerback and the nation’s number one recruit according to Rivals-dot-com, Derek Stingley Junior of Baton Rouge, announced today he plans on signing with LSU in in December. Instead of holding a press conference, with hats of different schools in front of him, the Dunham High football star announced his decision with a video message on Twitter.
Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team from the Mexico border that assists with border patrol. But Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.
Cut 12 (12) “…they are not criminals.”
President Trump signed an executive order to stop the seperation of immigrant families trying to cross illegally.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

A House committee approved three sales tax bills today that would reduce the state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis’ legislation to renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths passed on a 12-5 vote as members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow.

A State Police trooper has been arrested and placed on administrative leave for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee faces a charge of third-degree rape. Journee has been with L-S-P since 2007.

Governor John Bel Edwards said today on his montly call-in show that he’s keeping a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team on the Mexico border. Edwards says removing them would risk the lives of law enforcement….
Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”
But Edwards criticized the Trump administration for separating families that were caught trying to cross into the United States illegally. President Trump signed an executive order today stopping family separation.

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

A Monroe man who spent 41 years in prison serving a life sentence for murder is now a free man. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

______________________________________________

With a week to go in the special session, the House Ways and Means committee approves three different sales tax bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The separation of families coming into the United States illegally is causing a firestorm of controversy across the nation.  President Trump has signed an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully.  US Representative Ralph Abraham says he supports President Trump’s efforts.

cut 9 (13)  “…parents accompanying them.”

Abraham says he co-sponsored the Goodlatte-McCaul Bill.  While he believes it could solve many of the border issues, he feels that there may not be enough support to pass the bill.

Cut 10 (13) “…and for all.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team from the Mexico border that assists with border patrol. On his monthly call-in show the governor says removing the team would risk the lives of law enforcement along the border.

Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”

Governor Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.

Cut 12 (12)   “…they are not criminals.”

_______________________________________________

Three sales tax bills that raise revenue to different amounts are heading to the House floor for debate tomorrow after they received approval by the House Ways and Means tomorrow. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis received the most support as it renews an expiring one-cent penny by four-tenths of a cent. She calls it a great compromise…

Cut 13 (12) “…this out” 

Davis’ bill passed on a 12-5 vote. Members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation has the 70 votes to get approval by the full House….

Cut 14 (07)  “right bill.”

The other sales tax proposals to pass would renew .33 of the expiring one-cent sales tax. Another measure renews half of the tax, but scale it down over time. Chairman Neil Abramson of New Orleans is optimistic the House can behind one of the bills…

Cut 15 (09) “…current situation.”

Three sales tax bills got out of a House committee today and now head to the House floor for more discussion. The bill that receive the greatest support is a measure by Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis, which would renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths. Members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow. The special session ends a week from today.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard team from the Mexico border that’s assisting with border patrol. He says they will remain there until mid-July. The governor says they are not involved in the separating of families who enter the country illegally.

A 59 year old man walked out of prison as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. Gerald Manning was exonerated of his conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says years of DNA testing contributed to ensuring that Manning could once again have his freedom….
cut 7 (10) “…by the perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe. A freedom fund and an Amazon wishlist have been set up for those that would like to help in his transition to the outside world.

A State Police trooper has been arrested on allegations that he raped a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee was booked on third-degree rape and posted a 25-thousand dollar bond. He’s been placed on administrative leave.

Three sales tax bills made it out of the House Ways and Means Committee today, which would generate hundreds of million dollars, but the proposals do not completely close the 500-million dollar deficit. TOPS and higher ed are facing cuts as of July 1st and LSU student government president Stewart Lockett says college students will rally at the state capitol at 5:30 …
cut 12 (12) “…different stories”

President Trump now plans to sign an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully. US Representative Ralph Abraham says he supports President Trump’s efforts.
cut 9 (13) “…parents accompanying them.”

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

LSU Student Government hosts a rally at the State Capitol today to call on the state legislature to fully fund TOPS and higher education.
cut 10 (09) “….as a whole”
That’s LSU student government president Stewart Lockett who says if lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU.

A 59 year old man walked out of the state penitentiary as a free man for the first time in his adult life after serving over 40 years for a murder in Monroe. DNA testing helped exonerate Gerald Manning of his murder conviction in the 1977 death of Vonda Harris. His attorney, Kristin Wenstrom, says Manning then worked out a deal with the Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s office…
Cut 6 (11) “…walk out of prison.”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the National Guard air support team will remain at the Mexico border. In a statement released, the governor says the troops are not participation in the separation of families and he condems that policy. President Trump has signed an executive order to end family separations at the border.

A major employer in north Louisiana is set to lay off as many as 227 employees next month. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says Ardagh Glass produces glass containers, but the companies they serve like Tabasco, Smucker’s and others are demanding other materials…
cut 4 (04) “…need for glass”
Around 450 people work at the plant, which received tax incentives during the Jindal administration to retain its workforce.