A public hearing is scheduled tonight in Baton Rouge to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which will go through 11 parishes from Calcasieu to St. James. Emelie Gunn has more…
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So what’s next for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown now that he’s gotten jail time amid allegations he abused his wife? Michelle Southern reports.
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A public hearing is scheduled for tonight to discuss the proposed Bayou Bridge Pipeline, which would run across 11 parishes spanning from Calcasieu to St. James. The hearing takes place at 6 p.m. in the Department of Environmental Quality building in Baton Rouge. Director of the Bucket Brigade, Anne Rolfes, says crawfisherman are concerned running a pipeline through this area will hurt their business.
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But Acting President for the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs supports the pipeline and says Louisiana is in the middle of the oil and gas renaissance. He says the pipeline will bring in jobs that are greatly needed in Louisiana.
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The pipeline will cost about 670 million dollars. Rolfes says the oil and gas sector claims pipelines are safer than transportation by rail or truck, but the industry is extremely out of touch with their own operations. She says pipelines are not a safer alternative, as they pose a risk for frequent leaks.
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Briggs says if the pipeline wasn’t safe, companies would not propose the construction. He says they are committed to safety to protect their workers and the environment.
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The U.S Army Corps of Engineers will have the final say on whether the pipeline will be built.
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During his monthly call-in radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards defends himself amid questions about whether he’s pushing higher taxes to solve the state’s budget problems. Edwards says while lawmakers raised $1.5 billion in taxes during last year’s sessions, they also cut $850 million from the state budget.
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Edwards adds more cuts are coming and possibly another special session to resolve a looming $300 million shortfall. He says while cutting the budget sounds like an easy fix, it’s painful for the state agencies and the people they serve.
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Edwards says there isn’t an overnight solution for the state’s budget problems. He says it will take comprehensive tax reform, more spending cuts, and yes, the possibility of raising more revenue. He says he’s committed to taking a balanced approach to resolve Louisiana’s financial issues.
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Louisiana will receive about $18 million as a result of a $4.3 billion Volkswagen settlement, after the company pleaded guilty to cheating on air emissions tests. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Chuck Brown says the money has to be used to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
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Brown says he is considering using the money to replace diesel engines in school buses with engines that burn cleaner fuel. But he says no definite decision has been reached yet because other state agencies are also weighing in on the plan.
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Brown says DEQ is set to split the money with DOTD and the Department of Natural Resources, leaving each agency with $6 million to spend. He says DEQ is leaning towards replacing school bus engines with its share, but how many buses that money would cover depends on how the state goes about it.
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Some state lawmakers are calling for Napoleonville Senator Troy Brown to resign immediately after he entered a plea of no contest to domestic violence charges. Senate President John Alario says Brown was suspended from serving on committees when he was arrested in July, and that suspension has been extended until the Senate reviews the case and makes a decision. He says the Senate has the power to remove Brown from office.
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This is the second time the state legislator has pleaded no contest to domestic abuse charges in four months. Governor John Bel Edwards called for Brown to resign after the July arrest, but Brown said he has no intention of leaving office. Alario says Brown was suspended from serving on committees when he was arrested.
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