Governor John Bel Edwards didn’t specify what taxes he wanted approved to address a one-billion dollar budget gap as lawmakers convened for the first day of the special session. But he encouraged legislators to pass legislation that gives Louisiana a stable tax structure that ends the constant budget deficits the state has faced over the last decade.

The Senate Democratic Caucus offers a plan on solving a one-billion dollar budget deficit, but it faces opposition from anti-tax groups. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

Three teens were arrested in connection with two alleged social media threats made against Tangipahoa Parish Schools. Sheriff Daniel Edwards says a 17-year-old female and another juvenile are charged in spreading a post that said, “Don’t go to school Monday. A school shooting is going to happen and they are warning everyone.” Edwards says that resulted in his deputies sweeping the school before allowing students on campus…
Cut 10 (08) “the night.”
Edwards says his deputies also arrested 18-year-old Troy Webber of Amite, who allegedly threatened to shoot fellow students and faculty upon returning to school today.

Sad story out of Pointe Coupee Parish as a female employee at False River Academy was killed when her 74-year-old husband accidentally pinned his wife between his truck and a school bus. 66-year-old Edith Atkinson died from her injures at a local hospital.

Legislators return to the State Capitol this afternoon to address a one-billion dollar shortfall for next fiscal year. LSU system president F. King Alexander is calling on legislators to find a budget solution that funds higher ed and TOPS by the end of this special session. Alexander says students are making decisions now on where they’ll attend college next fall…
Cut 13 (07) “other state.”

The Senate Democratic Caucus offers a solution on solving the one-billion dollar shortfall. Chairman Troy Carter proposes compressing income tax brackets, removing sales tax exemptions that benefit some businesses and expand the sales tax base, so certain services are taxed….
cut 6 (05) “…have to hurt”
But an anti-tax group known as the Louisiana Chapter of Americans for Propserity says this proposal would raise taxes on the middle class.
Social media threats have been made against several Louisiana schools just days after a gunman opened fire on a Florida school, killing 17. Kelley Ray says State Police are distributed by the increase in threats, real or not…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

A 71-year-old Louisiana inmate serving a life sentence for the fatal shooting of a sheriff’s deputy was denied parole today by a three-member panel of the state’s parole board. Henry Montgomery just turned 17-year-old when he fatally shot an East Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy in 1963. He received a parole hearing thanks to a US Supreme Court ruling that juvenile homicide offenders should have an opportunity at parole.

State legislators return to the capitol today for another special session. This time lawmakers will work to fix the fiscal cliff which is a result of about a billion dollars in temporary sales taxes expiring on June 30th. Jeff Palermo has a preview…
voicer 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo”

This is the fifth special session in two years. The House and Senate will convene around 4 PM. Governor Edwards will speak in the House Chamber at 5 PM and present his plan on solving the state’s fiscal problems.

At least three Louisiana schools have received social media threats, with Ville Platte under lockdown due to one received this morning. Dutchtown and Ponchatula High Schools were threatened in social media over the weekend. State Police Major Doug Cain says in light of the recent Florida school shooting that killed 17, making false threats creates problems for law enforcement officials…
Cut 3 (08) “of threats.”
No arrests have been made as of yet concerning these latest threats.

Many Americans are swimming in debt and getting in deeper than ever. One report suggests total household debt rose to 13-trillion-dollars for 2017. Professor of Economics at Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Jose Bautista many people do not have a savings account, so they use credit cards for emergencies and that can start a slippery downhill slide…
Cut 16 (06) ” to multiply.”
Louisiana appears to be America’s capital of past due debt, with almost half of its residents in debt that has gone into collections.

Governor Edwards and state lawmakers are in Baton Rouge for the special session to find a solution to the looming fiscal cliff that threatens to gut popular programs like TOPS. The governor is seeking tax reform, and Republicans want spending reductions. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says Along with implementing Medicaid copays, tighter eligibility, and work requirements, Miguez says he also wants to see a state spending cap that is tied to private sector economic performance.

Cut 8 (06) “state government.”

Democrats say they will not allow a full renewal of the expiring one penny sales tax, as they feel it unfairly targets the poor. Franklin Representative and Democrat Sam Jones wants a budget deal that ensures crucial programs are not underfunded.

Cut 9 (10) “the infrastructure”

Political analysts have warned the special session could be a political minefield, with Republicans attempting to make sure the governor does not leave with a “win” that could propel him to another term in office. Jones says so far, the negotiations have been fair.
The special session ends March 7th.
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Springtime is acceptance letter season for most college bound high school students, and the state’s budget uncertainty is causing many to rethink whether they want to attend school in Louisiana. LSU president F. King Alexander is calling on legislators to find a budget solution that funds higher ed and TOPS by the end of the February special session.
Alexander says there was a noticeable impact the last time the state failed to properly fund TOPS in a timely manner.

Cut 13 (07) “other state.”

Alexander says if lawmakers wait until June to solve the one billion dollar fiscal cliff, the damage will already have been done for the 2018-2019 school year.
Louisiana appears to be America’s capital of past due debt, with almost half of its residents in debt that has gone into collections. Professor of Economics at Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Jose Bautista says a lot of workers aren’t making enough money.
Medical bills are a large part of financial distress, especially if there isn’t enough insurance coverage. Dr. Bautista says get coverage to cover all your medical needs…

Cut 17 (10) “over time.”

Dr. Bautista says the best thing for a person to do is to quit using credit cards, establish a savings plan and work up from there to try to eliminate debt.

The special session kicks off today to address a one billion dollar shortfall. Legislators have until March 7th to find a fix to the looming fiscal cliff or else cuts will occur in the areas of higher education and health care. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says The governor is calling, in- part, for renewing temporary taxes…He doubts the governor will get his entire wish list.
Cut 6 (09) “really unfortunate”

Erwin says he doesn’t expect an agreement to be made that can secure the 70 house votes and the governor’s signature until late into the session.

Almost 50 percent of debt Louisianans carry are in collections. It’s a staggering number, but Kelley Ray found out it doesn’t have to be that way.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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LSU president F. King Alexander is calling on legislators to find a budget solution that funds higher ed and TOPS by the end of the February special session that starts today.

Alexander says if lawmakers wait until June to solve the one billion dollar fiscal cliff, the damage will already have been done for the 2018-2019 school year.

Cut 14 (12) “May 1st”

Rough start to the baseball season, as the LSU Tigers lost two of three from Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish clinched the series victory with an 11-3 drubbing of LSU. The Bayou Bengals had a dramatic come from behind victory on Friday, but it was all down hill from there. Coach Paul Mainieri says it’s hard to find any positives….

Cut 18 (08) “just everything”

The governor and House GOP leaders are jockeying for position on a potential special session grand bargain to fix the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
The special session kicks off today to address a one billion dollar shortfall. Legislators have until March 7th to find a fix to the looming fiscal cliff or else cuts will occur in the areas of higher education and health care. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the governor has talked privately with house speaker Taylor Barras on solutions, but
Early reports say legislators are making progress on a fix the to one billion dollar budget gap. Erwin says even though a deal isn’t currently on hand, he expects some agreement to be made.

Cut 5 (09) “this bunch.”
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Springtime is acceptance letter season for most college bound high school students, and the state’s budget uncertainty is causing many to rethink whether they want to attend school in Louisiana. LSU president F. King Alexander is calling on legislators to find a budget solution that funds higher ed and TOPS by the end of the February special session.

Cut 12 (10) “difficult position”

Alexander says there was a noticeable impact the last time the state failed to properly fund TOPS in a timely manner.

Many Americans are swimming in debt and getting in deeper than ever. One report suggests total household debt has risen to 13-trillion-dollars for 2017. Louisiana appears to be America’s capital of past due debt, with almost half of its residents in debt that has gone into collections. Professor of Economics at Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Jose Bautista says Another reason credit debt is so high is the lack of a savings account. Dr. Bautista says most are left with no choice but to use credit cards for emergencies, but it starts a slippery downhill slide…

Cut 16 (06) ” to multiply.”

Medical bills are a large part of financial distress, especially if there isn’t enough insurance coverage. Dr. Bautista says get coverage to cover all your medical needs…

State lawmakers return to the capital today to begin a special session to fix the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more from a capital observer.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards and state lawmakers are in Baton Rouge for the special session to find a solution to the looming fiscal cliff that threatens to gut popular programs like TOPS. The governor is seeking tax reform, and Republicans want spending reductions. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the GOP caucus is demanding the creation of the Louisiana Checkbook.

Cut 7 (08) “time ago”

He says the program would increase transparency, and would closely resembles Ohio’s Ohiocheckbook.com
Many Americans are swimming in debt and getting in deeper than ever. One report suggests total household debt has risen to 13-trillion-dollars for 2017. Louisiana appears to be America’s capital of past due debt, with almost half of its residents in debt that has gone into collections. Professor of Economics at Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Jose Bautista says a lot of workers aren’t making enough money…

Cut 15 (12) into debt.”

Another reason credit debt is so high is the lack of a savings account