There’s a push at the state Capitol to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny, something Baton Rouge Representative Ted James objects to….
cut 5 (09) “….right thing”
James says he would like to see businesses pay higher taxes to help cover the 940-million dollar shortfall.

That topic was up for discussion in a senate committee this morning. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack was testifying in favor of a measure to increase the state sales by more than one-cent, when New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson lashed out at Waguespack and claimed he helped create the state’s budget problems when he served in the Bobby Jindal adminsitration…
cut 10 (10) “,…no credibility”
The special session ends tomorrow night.

Much of the western half of the state is under a tornado watch until six PM tonight. CS Ross, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says a strong line of storms is moving into Louisiana from Texas…
cut 16 (04) “….days”
The Storm Prediction Center has much of the state shaded for a slight chance of severe weather tomorrow.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state government for better water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over 10 years. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss upping the minimum standards for water in Louisiana….
cut 7 (12) “…secondary standard”
Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.

Senate democrats, who believe businesses are not paying their fair share of taxes, took out some of their frustrations with the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry Stephen Waguespack. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau is one of those lawmakers who is not happy that LABI is pushing legislators to increase the state sales tax by more than a penny…
cut 12 (10) “…we can’t pay anymore”
Waguespack says businesses are already dealing with a horrible economic recession…
cut 13 (08) “….across the board”
A senate committee approved a bill today that would remove a four-cent sales tax that businesses currently do not have to pay. This is all part of the discussion over how the state should address a massive budget shortfall this fiscal year and next.

Parishes on the western side of the state are under a tornado watch until 6 PM tonight. CS Ross, with the national weather service, says a strong system is moving into Louisiana from Texas…
cut 15 (08) “….as well”
There are already reports of power outages in southwest Louisiana as a result of strong winds.

St. Joseph residents are meeting with state officials to get cleaner drinking water in Louisiana. Halen Doughty has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A state senate committee approves legislation that takes away a significant tax break businesses receive to help pay for utility costs and equipment purchases. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack opposes the idea, but New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson says Waguespack helped create the state’s budget problems as a former aide to Governor Bobby Jindal…
cut 10 (10) “….no credibility”
This measure now heads to the Senate floor. It is faces stiff opposition in the House.

In the House, there has been talk of increasing the state sales tax by more than a penny to increase revenue. Metairie Representative Cameron Henry supports the proposal….
CUT 3 (11) “or TOPS”
Democrats oppose this idea.

Residents of St. Joseph are petitioning the state government for better water. Garrett Boyte, a resident of St. Joseph, says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over 10 years. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss upping the minimum standards for water in Louisiana….
cut 7 (07) “…greater extent”
Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.

Excessive rainfall is expected in Louisiana over the coming days. State climatologist Barry Keim says a massive storm storm will ramp up tomorrow into Thursday and hit Louisiana in waves.:
CUT 6 (08) “next day”
Many parishes are under a flash flood watch starting this afternoon.

Governor John Bel Edwards has sent a warning notice to lawmakers reminding them of what could happen if the legislature fails to raise enough revenue to fund health and public colleges….
cut 19 (09) “…government”
The special session that was called to deal with a budget crisis must end Wednesday night. House Republicans are seeking to raise the state’s sales tax by more than a penny as a way to generate more revenue. But Democrats oppose that idea.

With only two days left in the special legislative session, Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo is concerned about the possibility of universities cancelling classes and professors receiving furlough notices…
cut 7 (10) “…to be doing”

Flash flood warnings are in effect across much of Louisiana today as a severe weather system moves through the gulf south. Don Molino reports…
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Don Molino”

The Mississippi River is rising in South Louisiana again which will lead to twice a week checks of the levees. Ricky Boyett is with the Army Corps of Engineers…
Cut 10 (10) “a week”
But Boyett says there are no plans to open the Bonnet Carre Spillway for this high water event.

Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to close a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo gets an update from the governor….
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The chairman of the House Approrpriations Committee, Cameron Henry, told nola-dot-com that there’s no reason for any more tax bills to be passed by the House. The republican from Jefferson Parish says the House has already approved enough legislation to address the 900-million dollar deficit this current budget year.

The legislature is trying to come up with a funding plan that will prevent significant cuts to public colleges. Higher ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the talk of budget cuts is already having an impact, as professors are leaving Louisiana universities, and prospective educators are deciding to go elsewhere. He says if lawmakers fail to find funds, big cuts are coming…
cut 28 (09) “…in TOPS”
Higher ed leaders have been seen at the Capitol speaking with legislators.

Colfax Representative Terry Brown has filed legislation for the regular session that would require the governor to look over Louisiana’s contracts with the Saints and Pelicans and allow him to renegotiate to reduce state subsidies. Brown says in these tough budget times, state-funding for professional sports teams should be reduced…:
cut 30 (10) “water districts”
Brown says since 2002 the Saints and Pelicans have received about 369 million dollars from the state.

The special session called to address the state’s budget crisis must end on Wednesday. Higher cigarette and alcohol taxes have advanced, and there are also measures on the table to raise the state sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards is hopeful that the House approves legislation today that will call for businesses paying higher taxes…:
CUT 7 (07) “greater extent”
It’s estimated that lawmakers are about 150 to 200 million dollars short of what is needed to fill the budget hole for the fiscal year that ends June 30th.

Louisiana is bracing for a wet work week, with the rain arriving tomorrow. Brandi Hughes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says northwestern Louisiana may see up to 10 inches of rain. She says a low pressure system will push a lot of moisture into the state…:
CUT 4 (04) “as well”
The heaviest rain is expected to move into the area Wednesday and hang around until Friday.

The nation’s high court has overturned a 2002 conviction of a Louisiana death row inmate accused in the death of a 16-year-old pizza delivery driver whose body was found near Hammond in 1998. The nation’s highest court said prosecutors didn’t turn over evidence in the case that would undermine the conviction of Michael Weary. District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says they plan to re-try Weary…:
cut 12 (10) “…at this point”
Perilloux added that the victim’s mother is disappointed with today’s ruling.

New Orleans native Peyton Manning announced his retirement today after 18 seasons in the NFL and two Super Bowl championships. Nelson Stewart, Manning’s high school teammate and current head coach at Isidore Newman, says Manning’s Super Bowl 50 victory is a fitting way to end his football career…:
CUT 9 (05) “Hall of Fame career”
Manning holds over 20 NFL records.