The House supports a bill to suspend child support payments for certain inmates. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

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A measure that would give the film tax credit program a facelift nears final legislative passage as it received overwhelming support from the House. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Inmates paying child support would have their payments suspended under a House-approved measure by Gretna Representative Joe Marino. The measure suspends payments for inmates who’ve been incarcerated longer than 180 days and who have no other means of income. Some of the strongest opposition came from Albany Representative Sherman Mack.

Cut 3 (08) “their money anyway”

But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James disagrees. He says most good judges wouldn’t put someone back in jail for not paying child support, but some will. He adds it’s hard for inmates to walk out of jail and find a job, and this will give them a chance to get financially stable.

Cut 4  (10) “it doesn’t happen”

The measure would exclude inmates incarcerated for domestic abuse charges or for not paying child support in the first place. Marino says this proposal came out of the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Task Force with a unanimous recommendation. He says more than 20 other states have similar laws on the books, and it also complies with federal law.

Cut 5  (08)  “is zero”

The measure passed the House on a 68-30. Marksville Representative Robert Johnson voted against and said that an offender made a choice to break the law, and therefore they are voluntarily under employed. Mack agrees and says this legislation does not support the children in these situations.

Cut 6 (09) “the child”

The proposal still needs Senate approval and the legislative session ends Thursday.

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A measure to revamp the film tax credit program is nearing final legislative passage as it heads back to the Senate for approval on changes made by the House. The lower chamber overwhelmingly supported this bill, as it passed on an 89-8 vote. But Slidell Representative Kevin Pearson thinks our priorities are not in the right place.

Cut 7 (08)  “health care”

Under the measure, 180 million dollars in tax credits would go to producers each year, but would decrease to 150 million after three years. The legislation makes it easier for film makers to redeem these credits and Lafayette Representative Jean-Paul Coussan says that should help grow the industry.

Cut 8 (10) “of Louisiana”

Critics have said the return of investment isn’t there when it comes to the film tax credit program. But Coussan says the film industry creates jobs.

Cut 9 (10)  “compromised on”

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A Covington lawmaker says he is disappointed his bill died in committee without a fair hearing. State Representative Paul Hollis sought to make it easier for large districts to recall an elected official. Hollis says he was only afforded seven minutes to discuss his bill in front of the panel.

Cut 10 (09) “bipartisan”

Hollis says he is disappointed the measure was voted down without any discussion. He says no one in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee even expressed any concerns about the bill. He says he can’t understand why the bill failed on a 3-3 vote.

Cut 11 (09) “long time ago”

Hollis says that’s why he assumed it would fly through the Senate without any problems, but that didn’t happen. The proposal came up after the emotional debate over the controversial confederate monuments bill. He says every bill deserves a good debate and his proposal didn’t get one

Cut 12 (10) “voted down”

Hollis says he plans to bring the legislation back next year.

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The Daily Advertiser editorial board is calling for Taylor Barras to step down as House Speaker over the fact not much has been accomplished in the current legislative session. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross doesn’t think what’s happening at the Capitol is entirely Barras fault…:

Cut 13 (10) “ungovernable”

The Republican from New Iberia is accused by his local publication of not being able to lead lawmakers effectively and address many of the state’s problems. Cross says there is a major anti-tax sentiment within the public and many legislators weren’t willing to go against their constituents…:

Cut 14 (08) “trust government”

The editorial says Louisiana’s problems will not come from this House in its present form with Barras at the helm and it’s time to “reboot.” Cross says it seems like the journalists are good government types…:

Cut 15 (07) “the legislature”

A House-backed bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship will be heard in the Senate education committee today. Emelie Gunn reports…:

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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A Senate committee defers two bills seeking to protect confederate monuments after 5 hours of emotional testimony. Halen Doughty has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax died without a vote. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The state Department of Insurance is reminding policyholders to make sure they are fully covered as the hurricane season begins today. Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is a time to go over all policies, especially property insurance. He says know what your coverages are and what is not covered.

Cut 4  (06) “hurricane deductible”

Most hurricane deductibles typically run two to five percent of the insured property value. Donelon also advises homeowners to prepare to file a claim.

Cut 5  (10)  “valuables”

Donelon says every corner of the state has experienced flooding events in the last 18 months, so now is the time to purchase flood insurance, if you don’t have it already. He says there is no time to wait when it comes to getting your home covered by flood insurance.

Cut 6 (10) “to effect”

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A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship will be heard in Senate education today. Currently, students have to earn a minimum of 2.5 GPA on their high school core curriculum to qualify. State Representative Franklin Foil’s bill would raise that to 2.75 for students who start in the 9th grade this fall. He says the program needs to be tightened up…:

Cut 7 (09)  “higher GPA”

Foil says nobody wants to see any student excluded from receiving the award…:

Cut 8 (07) “asking for”

The measure could be in trouble in the Senate which has already approved a proposal to create a task force that studies the impacts of changing the program in any way. Foil believes the bill has a good chance of making it through the process…:

Cut 9 (09)  “as well”

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After five hours of heated debate, a Senate committee rejected two proposals aimed at protecting confederate monuments. One measure would require a public vote to remove military monuments, while the other requires legislative approval. There was steep opposition from black lawmakers, including Senator Troy Carter, who notes there are no statues celebrating Adolph Hitler.

Cut 10 (12) “a commemoration”

One woman was so passionate she drove from Florida to make her case. Jenna Burnstein gave an emotional testimony, pleading with lawmakers to protect memorials to those who fought in the Civil War. She adds it’s not fair to compare Civil War generals to Hitler.

Cut 11 (10) “not on my watch”

Burnstein went back and forth with the committee chairwoman, New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson. Burnstein pointed out that people of other races were also enslaved and that some blacks even owned slaves. She became emotional at the thought of more monuments coming down.

Cut 12 (10) “no you don’t”

Peterson says men who fought to enslave people should not be revered in public space. She says they should not be celebrated as Americans because they were from the Confederate States of America. She reminded supporters of the measure that the Civil War ended centuries ago.

Cut 13 (10) “is over”

Both measures were deferred with a 4-2 vote.

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A proposed gas tax hike was killed without a vote on the House floor, but there was still ample discussion about the attempt to raise millions of dollars to improve roads. State Representative Steve Carter expressed his frustration with his own party, who actively fought the legislation. He also criticized an out of state anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity, who lobbied against it.

Cut 14 (09) “our problems”

Carter says he didn’t bring the bill up for a vote, because the 70 voted needed were not there. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she speaks on behalf of her constituents. She says they don’t trust that the money would go towards transportation infrastructure, and they don’t want a gas tax increase.

Cut 15 (09) “a gas tax” 2x

Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh also opposed the increase. He says he was lobbied on this bill by a lot by members of his own party, but the people who elected him asked him to vote against it. He says he won’t turn his back on his constituents.

Cut 16 (08)  “gas tax”

Carter says we need to find a way to fix the state’s decrepit roadways, and we need to do it soon. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says even business leaders in her community backed the proposal. She hopes this discussion is not over yet.

Cut 17 (09)  “in a call”

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LSU is considered a huge favorite to beat Texas Southern on Friday in the opening game of the Baton Rouge Regional. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the SWAC champs are not very strong on the mound…

Cut 18 (12)    “over eight”  

Moran says third-seeded Rice has a very good reliever in Glenn Otto, who has struck out 78 in 56.2 innings. But he says the Owls might not have enough starting pitching….

Cut 19 (10)   “keep it going”

Southeastern Louisiana is the 2nd seed. It’s the highest seed the Lions have ever had in program history. Moran says S-L-U will not be an easy out in this regional…

Cut 20 (18)   “as LSU”