Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has a warning for legislators; you can’t cut your way out to avoid going off the fiscal cliff…..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A federal appeals court in New Orleans heard arguments today on whether construction should resume on the Bayou Bridge Pipeline in the Atchafalaya Basin. Environmental groups argue the project will result in irreversible environmental damage. The company says they have received blessing from the Corps of Engineers to construct the pipeline in the swamp.

Zachary firefighter and reserve police officer Christopher Lawton is being labeled as a hero today after he was killed last night while in the line of duty. East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says Lawton and another Zachary police officer were working undercover in an effort to arrest 33-year-old Albert Franklin…
cut 12 (07) “…suspect”
Gautreaux says Lawton was killed when Franklin hit him with a U-Haul truck as he fled from a Walmart parking lot in Baker. Franklin and another woman were arrested.

Louisiana State Police say a 12-year-old shot and killed his seven-year-old brother in Lake Providence Monday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the two youngsters were together when the shooting occurred. They are still investigating how the older juvenile got a hold of a weapon…
Cut 6 (11) “old juvenile.”
Six children were at home at the time of the shooting while their mother was at work.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne had this message to lawmakers who believe they cut make 700-million dollars in cuts for next fiscal year and not impact state services….
cut 15 (12) “….to you”
Dardenne says they’ve already heard from their partner hospitals, who are planning to exit out of contracts with the state to provide care for the poor and uninsured.

Baton Rouge area Law enforcement are mourning the death of a Zachary firefighter and an unpaid reserve police officer with Zachary. 41-year-old Christopher Lawton was killed while on duty in an hit and run last night..
cut 13 (11) “…police department”
East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says a man and a woman have been arrested and charged in connection with Lawton’s death.

Clear, crisp, and more importantly clean water now flows through the water lines in the small northeast Louisiana town of St. Joseph. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

And there’s good news for the Saints fans today. The team has reportedly has agreed to a two-year, 50-million dollar contract with Quarterback Drew Brees. The 39-year-old was due to become a free agent tomorrow. He’ll reportedly receive 27-million dollars in guaranteed money.

Multiple reports say Quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to a 50-million-dollar, two-year-deal, with the Saints. Saints radio color analyst Deuce McAllister says in actuality it’s a one year deal as there’s a team option after the first year…
Cut 8 (08) “been made.”
Brees’ contract calls for him to receive 27-million dollars in guaranteed money.

Governor John Bel Edwards is once again calling on the state legislature to approve a higher minimum wage. Edwards says18 states raised their minimum wage this year and he says the current minimum wage isn’t right to workers.
Cut 11 (11) “two years”
Business groups say the market should set wages, not government.

Louisiana State Police say a 12-year-old shot and killed his seven-year-old brother in Lake Providence Monday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the two youngsters were together when the shooting occurred. They are still investigating how the older juvenile got a hold of a weapon…
Cut 6 (11) “old juvenile.”
The seven-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Six children were at home at the time of the shooting while their mother was at work.

Residents of the small town of St. Joseph in Tensas parish are soaked with joy over a new water system that goes on-line today. Governor John Bel Edwards is in St. Joseph to cut the ribbon on the new facility that has been in need for decades.
Cut 3 (11) “something about.”
That’s the governor’s communications director, Shauna Sanford.

The first budget hearing of the 2018 regular session is underway. Matt Doyle reports the chairman of the budget committee believes the legislature can pass a budget, but the Edwards administration disagrees, because that would mean 700-million dollars in cuts…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Saints fans can take a deep breath. Multiple reports say the Black and Gold and have reached a two-year, 50-million dollar contract with Quarterback Drew Brees. 27-million dollars are guaranteed.

Governor John Bel Edwards has presented a broad agenda to lawmakers during this legislative session. One of the things he’d like to see legislators do is loosen the regulations that are on small businesses…
cut 13 (11) “….regulatory relief”
That includes repealing licensing requirements for florists, as Louiaina is the only in the nation to require one.

School safety will be a topic in this legislative session. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth has legislation that would make it legal for a student to bring a bulletproof backpack to school. Walsworth says they cost anywhere between 150 to 200 dollars on the internet….
cut 16 (08) “…specially made”

Several bills related to casino gaming in Louisiana will be considered during the regular session. Kelley Ray has a look.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

In Baton Rouge today the House Appropriations Committee will begin the long process of attempting to hammer out a budget before the end of the regular session. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne doubts the legislature can pass a spending plan facing a billion dollar revenue shortfall.

Cut 7 (09)  “to dramatic.”

West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth has filed legislation that would allow school students to use bullet proof backpacks on campus and school buses. Concerned parents have come to him with their fears about their children while they are attending classes. Walsworth says he’s not sure why it’s currently illegal to have a bulletproof backpack, but he has a theory…

Cut 15 (05) “something bad..”

The minimum wage proposal faces opposition from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, who says the market should set wages, not government.

The governor sited a report showing Louisiana with one of the worst gender pay gaps in the nation, and came out in support of legislation that would make it illegal to pay women less than men for the same job.

Several bills related to casino gaming in Louisiana will be considered during the regular session. Kelley Ray has a look.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

There are several bills filed for this legislative session that will seek to make major changes to the state’s gaming industry. Executive Director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty says the state legalized riverboat gambling in 1991 and now those casinos are looking to become more attractive to players if they can have gambling space on land… Cut 4  (10) “games themselves.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards laid out his economic agenda in front of the legislature, calling for a higher minimum wage, fewer small business regulations, and equal pay legislation for women. 18 states raised their minimum wage this year, and Louisiana remain one of only five states without its own minimum wage. Edwards says the current minimum wage just isn’t right to workers.

Cut 11 (11) “two years”

West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth has filed legislation that would allow school students to use bullet proof backpacks on campus and school buses. Concerned parents have come to him with their fears about their children while they are attending classes. Walsworth says parents want alternatives to further protect them…

Cut 14 (10) “in Louisiana.”