The Louisiana senate approves a bill that would increase the state’s four-cent sales tax by another penny. It would go into effect on April first and generate cash quickly, as the state is trying to close a massive budget deficit. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell thanked his fellow senators for getting this legislation approved…
cut 20 (12) “…fiscal years”
The State House of Representatives continues to put off voting on numerous tax bills, including one that would increase the tax on alcohol for the first time in decades. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says he’s still trying to come up with 70 votes on the House floor for his bill to get approval…
Cut 13 (06) “nasty”
The special session must end a week from today.

Gas prices are starting to rise as refineries conduct maintenance in preparation for the busy driving summer season. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average has increased four cents since last week and this uptick is typical for this time of year….
cut 10 (08) “…oil prices”
Redman says refineries are also slowing production in response to abundant supply of gas.

Louisaina ranks 11th in paid wind insurance claims in the US…
voicer 1(27) “….reporting”

We are a week away from the end of the special session that is addressing a 900-million dollar deficit this fiscal year and a two-billion shortfall next fiscal year. On the surface there’s not much movement. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox is trying to get the 70 House votes needed to increase the state’s alcohol tax for the first time in decades…
cut 14 (03) “…we can get”
Meanwhile in the senate, the upper chamber has agreed to increase the state’s four-cent sales tax by a penny for the next five years. Differences remain between the House and Senate on when that additional penny should come off the books.

You’re starting to pay a few extra pennies at the gas pump. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a $1.60, up four-cents from a week ago and gas prices should keep rising as refinieries are shutting down for regular spring time maintenance…
cut 12 (04) “…1.75”

According to a new study from WalletHub, Louisiana is the worst state for women. Jill Gonzales from Wallet Hub says they looked at over 15 metrics including median earnings for female workers, women’s preventative healthcare, the female uninsured rate and the female homicide rate….
cut 7 (04) “…those metrics here”
Gonzales says Louisiana also has one of the highest high school dropout rates for women.

Add another name to the 2016 Louisiana US Senate race. Former New Orleans Congressman Joseph Cao says he’s running for the seat occupied by David Vitter, who is finishing out his final year in office. Cao is a republican and served one-term in the House starting in 2009.

Not much action at the State Capitol today as House members put off for another day votes on bills that would increase taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. A senate committee has also decided to wait until Thursday to approve its version of a budget cutting plan. Lawmakers have until March ninth to agree on a plan to close a 940-million dollar deficit for this fiscal year.

According to Bankrate-dot-com, Louisiana is the fifth worst state in the country for retirees. Bankrate’s Senior Analyst Claes Bell says the state’s high crime rate and poor healthcare quality are to blame. But Bell says the news isn’t all bad. He says retirees who live on an fixed income may find Louisiana a good state to spend their golden years…
cut 5 (08) “….did well”
Bankrate ranked Wyoming as the best state for retirment and New York as the worst.

Education leaders are working on a plan to make sure more students apply for financial assistance to attend college. Michelle Southern has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern”

The second former Marksville officer who is accused in the fatal shooting of a six-year-old boy could be released on bond as early as tomorrow. The attorney for 31-year-old Derrick Stafford says the paperwork is ready to be filed for Stafford to gain his release on a one-million dollar property bond. The other officer involved in the shooting, Norris Greenhouse Junior, was released on a one million dollar bond in November.

Republican Presidential candidates Donald Trump and US Senator Marco Rubio will hold campaign rallies in Louisiana on Friday, a day before Louisiana’s Presidential primary. Analysts say Trump has the momentum heading into tonight’s Super Tuesday primary, but pollster John Couvillion says Trump is not a lock to win in Louisiana, because only republicans can vote in the Republican primary…
cut 9 (07) “…Cruz some”

At the state capitol, there’s eight days left in the special session and there’s been little progress in coming together on a plan to fill a 900-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. LSU President F King Alexander says the talk about deep cuts to higher education is hurting enrollment efforts….
cut 4 (06) “….other universities”
The special session must conclude on March 9th.

There’s about seven-thousand low-income students who receive a state-funded voucher to attend a private school, but Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith has filed legislation that would prohibit any additional students from getting a voucher. Smith says legislators need to resolve the budget crisis before expanding the program…
cut 14 (06) “….new vouchers”
Smith says the program also needs to be reevaluated after a Tulane study showed voucher students are not performing well in the area of math.

The Storm Prediction Center says there’s a marginal threat of severe weather today for northeast Louisiana. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says keep an ear out for potential weather warnings today…
cut 11 (10) “…for them”
The governor has declared this week….Severe Weather Awareness Week.

The House postponed votes until tomorrow on bills that would raise taxes on alcohol and cigarettes. House Speaker Taylor Barras says they are waiting to see what the Senate will do with a House-approved measure that calls for 106-million dollars in cuts to the current fiscal year…
cut 30 (15) “….is complete”
The special session ends on March 9th and the House and Senate are far part when it comes to a plan on how to deal with a 900-million dollar budget deficit.

And LSU President F King Alexander stands behind comments that proposed cuts to higher education could keep the LSU football team off the field next fall…
cut 24 (08) “….eligible”

State agencies are describing what the potential impacts will be if the legislature approves the House’s plan to cut 106-million dollars from the current fiscal year’s budget. Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Rebekah Gee says they would have to lay-off restaurant inspectors, which is a serious public health risk…
cut 7 (08) “….get an inspection”
The Department of Education says if the House’s budget cutting plan goes through, they won’t be able to give out standardized tests this spring and payments for voucher will stop before the end of the school year. House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry says he’s open to reducing the size of the cut the department of education could receive…
cut 29 (17) “…we can”