The House is scheduled to take up a proposal today to increase the state’s gasoline tax by 17 cents a gallon. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Vice President Mike Pence is travelling to Baton Rouge today to meet with business leaders. Halen Doughty has more on what to expect from the meeting…

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Legislation that would lead to Louisiana citizens on parolees paying an additional 37-dollars a month to fund parole officers’ salaries is moving closer to final legislative passage. Emelie Gunn has more….

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Today lawmakers in the House are expected to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax for the first time in 27 years. A proposal by Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter would up the tax by 17 cents a gallon. President of the Council for a Better Louisiana, Barry Erwin says more revenue is needed to pay for better roads.

Cut 4  (09) “all have them”

The state gasoline tax is currently 20-cents a gallon. Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is skeptical the additional revenue raised by the tax would be used to pay for roads. That’s why he’s calling on GOP lawmakers to reject this proposal. He says the state needs to use the money they have now properly before asking for more from taxpayers.

Cut 5  (10)  “new roads”

Erwin understands the hesitance but says that won’t be the case with this bill. He says there are provisions in this measure that ensure any revenue generated by the tax hike will go towards better roads and bridges. He says there’s more accountability and transparency with this proposal.

Cut 6 (09) “in legislation”

Villere is disappointed the measure has made it this far with some Republican support. He says GOP lawmakers ran on a platform of no new taxes, and they should be true to that commitment. He’s also concerned about how this measure would impact businesses.

Cut 7 (11)  “good business”

The proposal will need support from two-thirds of the House to advance, and according to Carter, they will vote next week.

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Vice President Mike Pence will be in Baton Rouge today to meet with business leaders. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says the frustration business owners have experienced over the last few years has peaked. He says in the first year of opening a small business, owners spend more than $80-thousand just complying with federal regulations.

Cut 8 (11) “new approaches”

Graves says government regulations, taxes, and fees are making it harder for someone to run a small business. He says he will fly down with the Vice President, which will give him the opportunity to discuss some of the issues that are important to Louisianans.

Cut 9 (07)  “president’s budget”

Graves says Louisiana business leaders can offer the Vice President a unique perspective, as we’ve faced some unusual challenges, from a historic flood to new energy policies. He says a lot of these issues have applications for the rest of the country as well.

Cut 10 (12) “or inefficiently”

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A Senate Judiciary committee voted to raise the fees for individuals on probation and parole in Louisiana to increase salaries for parole officers. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris’ measure would up the fee by 37-dollars to 100 dollars. Harris hopes this would be an incentive for parole officers to stay in their position.

Cut 11 (08) “recruit some”

The Senate panel passed the House approved measure on a 3 to 1 vote. Harris says his legislation is needed because the governor’s criminal justice reform effort will lead to more offenders on probation and parole.

Cut 12 (11) “be making”

But New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says this bill would increase the financial burden placed on parolees. She also says until the House passes a budget that adequately funds state government, no state employee should get a raise.

Cut 13 (12) “to us”

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The bill that would require students starting 9th grade this fall to have at least a 2.75 GPA in order to receive the TOPS scholarship advanced on the House floor. The current requirement is 2.5. Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says there is a reason his bill wouldn’t take effect for 4 years…:

Cut 14 (10) “this fall”

TOPS is currently not fully funded and Foil says he’s trying to help the financial sustainability of the program, and also encourage students to strive to do better in order to get the award. But New Orleans Representative Joe Bouie says this bill would have unintended consequences…:

Cut 15 (10) “TOPS program”

A concern about this bill by opponents was that it would cut out poor kids who need help paying for college the most. That’s why New Orleans Representative Gary Carter offered an amendment that would take any savings generated by the measure and put that money towards the Go Grant Program, but the change was not added.

Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says many people who support this bill don’t understand communities that struggle…:

Cut 16 (07)  “in the face”

The bill heads to the Senate on a 53-32 vote.

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Freshman Todd Peterson was scheduled to start today’s SEC Tournament game against Missouri, but the freshman from Florida has been suspended for one game, because of a violation of team rules. So sophomore right-hander Caleb Gilbert will get the start. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Gilbert should do just fine….

Cut 17 (14)  “butt off”

LSU is seeking its sixth SEC Tournament championship with Coach Paul Mainieri at the helm. Moran doesn’t think the change in starting pitchers will have a negative impact on the Tigers….

Cut 18 (19)    “little bit”  

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McNeese State heads into the Southland Conference Tournament in Sugar Land, Texas as the top seed after winning the league’s regular season championship. The Pokes will take on Lamar today after taking two of three from the Cardinals last week. Cowboys Head Coach Justin Hill….

Cut 19 (16)   “that much”

Hill says the key to winning the Southland Tournament is staying out of the losers bracket….

Cut 20 (18)   “here and there”

Louisiana stands to lose $140 million a year in coastal restoration funding under the budget proposal released by President Donald Trump today. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Authorities in LaFourche Parish are looking for a man accused of living in his ex-girlfriend’s attic when stalking her. Emelie Gunn reports:

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President Donald Trump’s proposed budget released today would end oil lease royalty payments to Louisiana before they even begin. The proposal repeals the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which splits 35 percent of offshore revenue among several Gulf States. Managing Director with the America’s Wetland Foundation, Val Marmillion says Louisiana stands to lose a lot of money if GOMESA is repealed.

Cut 3 (12) “of that”

Gulf States would lose a total of $3.6 billion over the next decade. Marmillion says GOMESA has been in the works for decades to get coastal states a fair share of the revenue from oil leases. Louisiana was set to receive the first $140 million payment in October 2018. He says this money was dedicated mostly to coastal restoration and coastal infrastructure projects.

Cut 4  (09) “in Louisiana”

Marmillion hopes Louisiana’s congressional delegation will fight to get this money back in the budget, which they were successful in doing when the Obama Administration tried to do the same thing in 2015. He says losing this coastal restoration funding will have huge impacts for the country, not just Louisiana.

Cut 5  (12)  “United States”

US Senator Bill Cassidy released a statement saying, taking funding away from Louisiana’s coastline is a nonstarter.

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The full House will vote on a Senate approved measure that would give drivers a warning before coming up on speed cameras. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter’s legislation would require a warning sign several hundred feet before the ticket issuing device. He says local municipalities should not have a problem with a warning sign because the cameras are meant to deter speeding.

Cut 6 (07) “a consequence”

Carter’s bill has been approved by the Senate and has also received a green light from the House Transportation Committee and awaits final passage on the House floor. Carter says if you oppose this legislation then you’re just interested in collecting money from unsuspecting motorists.

Cut 7 (11)  “municipality”

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A Senate Judiciary Committee advances a bill to include dating partners in Louisiana’s domestic abuse laws. Current domestic violence laws only apply to couples who are married or living together. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says her bill closes a huge loophole in the law, and Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow agrees.

Cut 8 (08) “love them”

Baton Rouge Senator Bodi White raised concerns about expanding the law. He says a situation could arise between two young people that would have lifelong consequences. He gave an example of a boyfriend pushing his drunk girlfriend into the car after a night out.

Cut 9 (09)  “different deal”

Despite minimal concerns, the measure was approved without objection and heads to the Senate floor.

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Authorities in Lafourche Parish are looking for a man who is facing several charges amid allegations including living in the attic of his ex-girlfriend for a period of time while stalking her. Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Brennan Matherne says officers responded to the home in reference to a disturbance involving 21-year-old Taylor Broussard..:

Cut 10 (10) “one incident”

Matherne said following the attack, Broussard allegedly stole the victim’s purse and phone, then took off in her SUV and fled the scene. He says cops located evidence that showed Broussard had been living in the victim’s attic for a while…:

Cut 11 (09) “in the attic”

Broussard is at large and has nine active warrants for several felony crimes including stalking, auto theft, battery, and aggravated assault. Matherne says the suspect has ties to the Erath and Lafayette area..:

Cut 12 (10) “XLG-572”

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Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Louisiana tomorrow to discuss health care, jobs and the economy.  The White House says the Vice President will participate in a listening session with local business leaders in the Baton Rouge area and he’ll make remarks afterwards at Cajun Industries in Port Allen. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan on the visit…

Cut 13 (11) “for him”

The White House says during the Vice President’s visit, he’ll hear first-hand stories about health care, job creation and the economy. Hogan says the Trump administration wants to show they listen to the public…

Cut 14 (10) “craft policies”

The governor’s office says John Bel Edwards plans on meeting with the Vice President at the Baton Rouge airport. Edwards released a statement claiming the President’s proposed budget ignores Louisiana needs by reducing Medicare funding and dollars for Louisiana’s coast. Hogan expects the governor to ask Pence about this

Cut 15 (07) “state of Louisiana”

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