Four days into the special session and there’s only been one significant piece legislation that has made it to the House floor that could significantly reduce the budget gap. The measure would result in consumers paying a state sales tax of 4.3 percent after July 1st and it’s expected to generate 370-million dollars in revenue, but the shortfall is pegged at 648-million. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the bill is the best opportunity at reducing the proposed cuts within state government….
cut 14 (09) “….very slim”
But it’s unclear if this legislation has the 70 votes to get full House approval.

The LSU baseball team will take on Florida tonight in an elimination game at the SEC Tournament. The Gators lost to Arkansas earlier today.

It’s not even hurricane season and we already have our first named storm. Subtropical storm Alberto has formed near the Yucatan Peninsula and the five day forecast has southeast Louisiana in the cone of uncertainity for landfall early next week. Phil Grigsby is with the National Weather Service in Slidell and he says heavy rainfall is Alberto’s main threat….
cut 4 (08) “…the west”
Grigsby says coastal areas need to keep a close eye on this one.

The State Fire Marshal’s office continues to investigate the explosion at the Proctor and Gamble plant in Pineville claimed the life of a Jena man. An earlier report from Proctor and Gamble said that there was no plant explosion, and the death was related to a forklift incident, but State Fire Marshal office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says investigators have confirmed that a smaller scale explosion did occur….
cut 7 (10) “…of equipment”
56-year-old Allen Kendrick of Jena died in the incident.

The Public Affairs Research Council believes the temporary sales tax bill approved Thursday by the House Ways and Means Committee provides the legislature with its best opportunity at raising enough revenue to pass a budget. PAR President Robert Travis Scott says the legislation can lessen the fiscal cliff by renewing one-third of an expiring one-cent sales tax, but not everyone likes it, which might be a good thing…
cut 12 (09) “….with this bill”
Scott says this House bill is the most viable instrument to propel the special session toward a sensible outcome.

Sub Tropical Storm Alberto has formed near the Yucatan Peninsula. The five day forecast calls for the system making landfall near the Mississippi-Alabama line early next week, keeping Louisiana on the good side of the storm, but Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service says….
cut 5 (05) “…to the west”

State troopers from Louisiana and Mississippi are working together to promote highway safety along I-55. Becca Dill has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

It’s also a Click It or Ticket weekend, which means law enforcement is looking for motorists who are not buckled up. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert….
cut 10 (09) “…belt law”
13 percent of Louisiana drivers admitted in a recent survey they do not wear a seat belt.

The first named storm of the season has formed at the edge of the Caribbean Sea, and his name is Alberto. Alberto is expected to develop into a tropical storm, and could put Memorial Day weekend plans at risk for folks across the gulf coast. National Weather Service Slidell Forecaster Phil Grigsby says the five-day forecast shows Alberto could impact Louisiana
Cut 3 (07) “this Sunday”
Heavy rains are the biggest concern with Alberto.

LSU baseball fans are still buzzing over the two-run double hit by pitcher Todd Peterson to help the Tigers beat South Carolina six to four in 12 innings in last night’s SEC Tournament elimination. Peterson says he never hit in a competitive game in high school, but sounded like a hitter in the post game press conference….
cut 30 (14) “…happen again”
The Tigers play again tonight.

A report from America’s Health Rankings says Louisiana seniors have the worst health outcomes in the nation. Michael Farrar has the story.
Voicer 1 (29) I”m Michael Farrar“

Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight…
Cut 10 (12) “roadway”

The National Hurricane Center says Subtropical storm Alberto has formed in the Caribbean and the first advisory shows it will develop into a tropical storm later today. The current five-day forecast shows Alberto as a Tropical Storm on Monday morning and very close to the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

State troopers from Louisiana and Mississippi are working together to promote highway safety along I-55. Becca Dill has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Becca Dill”

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill received approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would retain one third of an expiring penny sales tax and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Governor Edwards supports retaining a higher percentage of the expiring one-cent sales tax, but Harris says his legislation is a good compromise
Cut 13 (10) “in cuts”
The short-term sales tax proposal would generate 366-million dollars for next year’s budget. That means state government would have to reduce spending by less than two-percent. A plan, Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter, disagrees with…
cut 15 (11) “…those cuts”
It’s unclear if this proposal has the 70 votes needed to get approval in the House.

A Republican tax proposal is the only bill to escape a House committee so far in this special session. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana State Police say they are working with Mississippi Highway Patrol to increase police presence along Interstate 55…
cut 11 (07) “…target that”
That’s Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight, who says law enforcement statewide will also watch for motorists not buckled up as part of the click it or ticket enforcement program.

The United Health Foundation’s Seniors report ranks Louisiana dead last in the nation for the quality of senior health. Dr. Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation says senior obesity rates play a major role in the poor ranking…
Cut 7 (10) “of seniors”
Louisiana seniors are also more at risk of social isolation, which means a high number of seniors living alone, in poverty or disabled and having a difficult time living independently.

The recreational red snapper season begins today and for the first time the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will manage the harvest of the fish in state and federal waters…
cut 5 (08) “…like this”
LDWF’s Jason Adriance says the season will run seven days a week and it’s designed not exceed a 743-thousand pound harvest limit.

Governor John Bel Edwards has asked legislators to approve 648-million in taxes to replace one-point-four billion dollars in expiring sales taxes. Instead, the House Ways and Means committee has approved a short-term sales tax proposal that would generate 366-million dollars for next year’s budget. That means state government would have to reduce spending by less than two-percent. A plan, Monroe Representative Marcus Hunter, disagrees with…
cut 15 (11) “…those cuts”
It’s unclear if this proposal has the 70 votes needed to get approval in the House.

The National Hurricane Center says Invest 90 is getting better organized. It’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico late tonight and the expectation is high for the system to form into a depression by Saturday.

Louisiana Troopers are partnering with Mississippi Highway Patrol in a new highway safety initiative called “Line to Line.” Senior Trooper Dustin Dwight…
Cut 10 (12) “roadway”
Dwight says Toopers will watch for impaired, reckless and distracted driving.

The recreational red snapper season begins today and for the first time the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheies has management of the prized catch in both state and federal waters. L-D-W-F finfish program manager Jason Adriancce says they are asking anglers to participate in their data collection…
cut 6 (09) “…landings data”
To participate in electronic reporting go to rolp.wlf.la.gov to sign up.

House GOP Caucus Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill received approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposal would retain one third of an expiring penny sales tax and eliminate some sales tax breaks. Governor Edwards supports retaining a higher percentage of the expiring one-cent sales tax, but Harris says his legislation is a good compromise
Cut 13 (10) “in cuts”
The measure heading to the House floor does not address the entire budget deficit, so if it passes, cuts in state government will be needed.

If you are traveling on I-55 in Louisiana or Mississippi this Memorial Day weekend expect to see a higher police presence as the two states are partnering in an effort to catch drunk drivers or those driving recklessly. L-S-P senior trooper Dustin Dwight…
cut 12 (09) “….of driving”

The recreational Red Snapper season begins today in state waters and in federal waters just off of Louisaina’s coast. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Finfish Program Manager Jason Adriance says that means…
Cut 4 (10) “commissioned sets”
There’s a two fish bag limit and 16 inch catch minimum in place. The season will run seven days a week until 743,000 pounds are harvested.

Another great moment in LSU baseball history last night as pitcher Todd Peterson in his first at-bat in a game since middle school drilled a 1-2 pitch down the left field line for a two-run double, giving the Tigers a 6-4 win over South Carolina in 12 innings. Freshman Daniel Cabrerra couldn’t believe it….
cut 30 (12) “…by far”
LSU has another elimination game in the SEC Tournament tonight versus either Florida or Arkansas.