State agencies are implementing the first round of budget cuts for the current fiscal year today. Michelle Southern reports…:
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The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the City of Slidell because of an ordinance that requires a permit to panhandle. Halen Doughty has more…
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A Walker man has been charged with attempted murder following a road rage incident. Capt. John Sharp with Walker Police says 35-year-old Johnny Franz was tailgating 31-year-old Bradley Deville, causing Deville to drive even slower. He says the two then stopped at an intersection near Walker Freshman High School. Sharp says at that point Franz invited Deville to step out of the car, and that’s when Deville pulled out a 9mm handgun.
Sharp says Deville then fled onto Interstate 12 as Franz followed him. He says they were pulled over on the interstate, and officers noticed bullet holes in the side of Franz’ car.
Sharp says this incident is especially concerning after two high profile road rage incidents in New Orleans that led to homicides. He says they were fortunate no one was hurt.
Sharp says Deville faces several charges including attempted 2nd degree murder, illegal use of a firearm, and possession of an open container.
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Beginning January 1, Amazon will charge sales taxes on purchases made by Louisiana residents. Byron Henderson with the state Department of Revenue says both state and local sales taxes will be added to purchase totals.
Henderson says so far Amazon is the only totally online retailer that has announced they will collect sales taxes. He says the taxes will be filed and remitted with the state and to local jurisdictions in Louisiana.
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State department heads will have to start making cuts to their respective agencies today as $277 million dollars has been carved from the state’s operating budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says these cuts are being made through attrition – by not hiring people or not filling already vacant positions…:
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Dardenne says taking the biggest hit is the Department of Health which will have to cut from medical vendor payments. The state’s colleges are taking an $11 million dollar hit this time. Dardenne says for the first time in about 10 years, higher education did not take a dramatic cut in this budget year…:
Dardenne says we’ll get the full budget picture when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets again on January 17th. He says that’s when reality will set in…:
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The ACLU of Louisiana is suing the City of Slidell to block a panhandling permit requirement. Executive Director Marjorie Esman says Slidell residents have to register with police to engage in their First Amendment right to ask others for money.
Esman says the suit filed on behalf of panhandlers Gary Blitch, David Knight, and Daniel Snyder seeks to find the ordinance illegal and block its enforcement. She says everyone has the right to speak freely, regardless of what they’re speaking about.
Slidell city attorney Brian Haggerty says they have no comment on the lawsuit. Esman says in the past Slidell Police have arrested panhandlers, but the new ordinance was passed in October. She says although the permit is free, it still requires a background check and wearing the permit to avoid being ticketed up to $500. Or facing up to 6 months in jail.
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