The state legislature approved a budget as the special session ended last night, but a sales tax proposal did not make it through the process, which means TOPS and public colleges are underfunded for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. State agencies are also looking at a cut. A bill to replace an expiring one-cent sales tax with a half-cent tax failed by six votes in the House. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s embarassed by the lack of cooperation in the legislature…
cut 15 (12) “….underfunded”
Governor Edwards says the body’s failure means another special session will be called, costing taxpayers 50-thousand dollars a day.

Americans for Propserity-Louisiana is applauding House members for what they say taking a principled stand against tax increases. The group says state government needs to live within its means.

The Secretary of State’s office is accepting proposals to replace the state’s 10-thousand Election Day and Early Voting Machines. Meanwhile, interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the department is moving on after the resignation of Tom Schedler, who is named in a sexual harassment lawsuit. Ardoin says steps have been taken to correct alleged mistakes in the past…
cut 6 (10) “….behavior”

Good news for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, a new study finds chemotherapy may no longer be needed. Doctor Lucio Miele (MEE-LAH) says researchers have found that chemotheraphy treatment in up to 70-percent of the cases could cause problems if the cancer returns…
cut 11 (07) “….hormone therapy and chemotherapy”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.

For the second time this year, a special session has ended without the passage of a tax bill to avoid deep cuts across state government when the new fiscal year starts July 1st. The House and Senate could not agree on a sales tax proposal. House GOP leaders did not like the Senate’s proposal which would have generated 500 million dollars. Governor John Bel Edwards calls it a sad day for the state and a minority in the House let politics take priority over people…
cut 16 (09) “…do better”
Lawmakers were able to approve a budget for next fiscal year, but without additional revenues it will result in a 30-percent cut to TOPS, colleges would see a 96-million dollar reduction, public safety programs and the department of children and family services would also see cuts . It’s similar to a budget approved in the regular session, which the governor vetoed.

Governor Edwards has signed legislation that expands the number of diseases that can receive prescriptions for medical marijuana once it becomes available later this summer. But will we see an attempt to legalize the receational use of pot. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James anticipates a bill next year to green light recreational use…
cut 9 (11) “…pay down our debt”
Governor Edwards has previously said he opposes legalizing recreational marijuana use.

A report is recommending a reduction in the use of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (28) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Lawmakers failed to pass a sales tax bill last night to fund a budget that now calls for cuts to TOPS and higher ed. Matt Doyle has more….
Voicer 3 (32) “Im Matt Doyle”

In the session’s final hour, New Orleans Representative Walt Leger brought a sales tax bill up for a vote that would raise about 500-million dollars, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras had concerns about the legislation…
cut 14 (06) “…objects”

About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and now, a new study has found that many breast cancer patients can skip chemo. Dr. Lucio Miele (MEE-LAH) of LSU Health New Orleans chimes in…
Cut 10 (09) “… the answer is yes.”
The report, which is being considered a landmark study, is the largest ever done of breast cancer treatment, and comes as the focus turns to cases where chemo’s value increasingly is in doubt.

There is a marginal risk for severe weather across much of the state today. The main threats are strong winds and locally heavy rainfall. We are already seeing scattered thunderstorms this morning along the I-20 corridor.

Will the House agree to the budget and sales tax plan that the Senate approved last night. Matt Doyle looks at the upper chamber’s proposal to fix the fiscal cliff…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The special session must end tonight at midnight. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the Senate’s spending plan proposal, but House Republicans are seeking a reduction in state spending and do not support a 4.5 percent sales tax rate as of July 1st. The House approved a 4.3 percent sales tax rate.

The LSU Baseball season has come to a close as the Tigers finished with a record of 39-27 after losing 12-0 to Oregon State last night. Tiger Rag Associate Editor, James Moran, says the Tigers didn’t have enough healthy, quality arms to get past the Corvallis Regional
Cut 6 (14) “lit up”
Moran says the Tigers should be better next season, if they can stay away from injuries and if a couple of their draft eligible players, like Antoine Duplantis and Zach Watson come back next season and not enter pro ball.

The Senate passed a budget, and a sales tax bill to pay for it last night, that fully funds TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare. The tax bill raises 508 million dollars by renewing half of the expiring penny sales tax, and eliminating some business tax deductions. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur says it’s a compromise he hopes everyone can be content with.
Cut 13 (07) “solid policy”
The House has yet to say whether they’ll accept or reject the Senate’s budget and tax plan. Behind the scenes negotiations are ongoing.

It won’t help next fiscal year, but executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says the state will benefit from a bill signed into law that allows riverboat casinos to move gaming operations on to land…
cut 5 (09) “…..for the state”
Duty anticipates a handful of the state’s 15 licensed riverboat casinos will push to take advantage of the new law over the next year.

Three people are accused of a widespread livestock theft ring with quite the price tag. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the husband and wife, Rickey and Wanda Thompson of Pitkin, along with their son Justin Thompson, are accused of the thefts that occurred from August to October of 2017.
Cut 9 (08) “…one million dollars”
Ricky and Wanda Thompson have turned themselves in to the Allen Parish Jail, however Justin Thompson has yet to surrender to authorities.

The American Cancer Society is now recommending that average-risk adults get a colorectal cancer screening at age 45, five years earlier than the previous recommendation. A co-author of that report is Elizabeth Fontham from LSU Health New Orleans, who says there are six different tests that screen for the disease…
cut 8 (09) “…missing anything visually”
Fontham says among adults younger than 55 years, there was a 51-percent increase in the incident of colorectal cancer.

The state senate approved a 29-billion dollar budget last night and the upper chamber also agreed to a sales tax bill that would generate 540-million dollars so that higher education, TOPS and major health programs would be spared from cuts. It remains to be seen if the House will agree to the Senate proposals and Republicans like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt want to cut government spending….
cut 15 (12) “…point one”
The special session ends at midnight tonight.

Governor Edwards has signed one of the marquee bills of the regular session, which will allow riverboat casinos to move gaming operations on land. Executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, Wade Duty, says the upcoming investments will help the state’ bottom line…
cut 6 (09) “….increases concurrently”

The American Cancer Society now recommends that average-risk adults get screened for colorectal cancer at 45, five years earlier than the previous recommendation. Elizabeth Fontham with LSU Health New Orleans says among adults younger than 55 years, there was a 51-percent increase in the incident of colorectal cancer, so getting screened earlier in life can save lives….
cut 9 (09) “….in to cancer”

Entergy Louisiana has an agreement to buy power from a yet to be constructed solar power plant in West Baton Rouge Parish. Entergy CEO Phillip May says the solar project will produce enough electricity to power about 95-hundred homes…
cut 11 (11) “….Louisiana”
Entergy Louisiana customers are expected to save an estimated 29-million over the life of the contract.

It’s the last day of the special session, so can legislators come to an agreement on a budget and a sales tax bill that would generate hundreds of millions of dollars. The Senate’s plan calls for fully funding higher education, TOPS and major health care programs, while the House supports a lower state sales tax rate and a reduction in state spending.

Now that Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a measure allowing riverboat casinos to come ashore, when will it happen? Matt Doyle has more…
Voicer 1 (30) I”m Matt Doyle“

Entergy Louisiana is planning on purchasing solar power generated by a solar farm that’s set to be the largest such facility in the state. The facility by Eagle Solar Group will be based in West Baton Rouge Parish, and should be up and running by 2020. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says it’s a huge project and a 20 year agreement.
Cut 10 (08) “homes”
The purchasing plan is estimated to save customers 29 million dollars over the life of the contract.

The American Cancer Society is now recommending that average-risk adults get a colorectal cancer screening at age 45, five years earlier than the previous recommendation. A co-author of that report is Elizabeth Fontham, who says there are six different tests that screen for the disease…
cut 8 (09) “…missing anything visually”