A debate broke out at the state capitol over a tax credit that benefits working individuals with low incomes. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala has legislation to do away with the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which he says will save the state about 50-million dollars a year
cut 12 (12) “through revenue increases”
But Democratic state representative Walt Leger says the Earned Income Tax Credit helps the working poor pay for daily life expenses
cut 13 (09) “out of the year”
The New Orleans lawmaker has a bill to double the earned income tax credit. A vote on the two different measures was not taken. The House committee is waiting to hear on all of the different tax bills, before deciding which ones should advance.

Marketa Garner Walters, secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, is concerned about a 15-million dollar hole in her budget. Halen Doughty reports…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

Republican Chris Broadwater of Hammond, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, says lawmakers are taking a hard look at the Edwards Administration’s proposed one cent sales tax increase. He says the reason it’s such a pivotal issue is because they are trying to close a massive $950-million dollar gap in the current fiscal year…:
cut 30 (06) “were it to pass”

The secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services tells legislators her department is in need of resources to care for the more than four-thousand children in foster care in Louisiana. Marketa Garner Walters says there is a shortage of foster homes…:
CUT 3 (09) “a placement”
She says Louisiana could face federal penalties if it falls short of meeting required standards.

A debate over the Earned Income Tax Credit broke out in a House Committee today. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says if the state eliminated the earned income tax credit which benefits low to morderate workers, the state would save nearly 50-million dollars. But New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says many Louisiana residents use the credit to pay for daily life expenses…
cut 13 (09) “….out of the year”

A federal judge in New Orleans has rejected former Saints star Darren Sharper’s plea deal. Sharper who is accused of drugging and raping women in several states was hoping to get a nine-year sentence, but Judge Jane Triche Milazzo says the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. Legal analyst Chick Foret says Sharper has three options in front of him…
cut 8 (10) “…sentence”
Judge Milazzo had said the accusations against Sharper should lead to a 15 to 20 year prison sentence if found guilty.

Captain Clay Higgins with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office has put out another viral video. Higgins, who is famous for his youtube crime stopper videos, is addressing members of the Gremlins Criminal Gang that are wanted on criminal charges…
cut 10 (04) “…than you”
Higgins latest youtube video has received over eight million views on the St. Landry Sheriff’s office facebook page.

A debate broke out at the state capitol over a tax credit that benefits working individuals with low incomes. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala has legislation to do away with the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, which he says will save the state about 50-million dollars a year…
cut 12 (12) “…through revenue increases”
But Democratic state representative Walt Leger says the Earned Income Tax Credit helps the working poor pay for daily life expenses.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says her agency needs 15-million dollars or she’ll be forced to furlough and layoff employess, which would impact adults and children who are in need…
cut 5 (09) “….food stamp program”

South Louisiana law enforcement are searching for fugitives from the Gremlins Criminal Gang and Michelle Southern says their search is receiving attention because of a viral video…
voicer 2 (30) “…reporting”

State Police has charged a St. Mary Parish man with 18 counts of attempted murder of a police officer. 50-year-old Derrick Bodin of Baldwin was taken into custody after extenstive investigation. Authorities say Bodin shot at multiple officers who came to the aid of a shooting victim on December 27th .

The House Ways and Means committee discussed raising taxes on items like cigarettes and alcohol. There’s a proposal to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes by another 22-cents, after the legislature raised the tobacco tax 50-cents last year. Convenience store owner Fred Hoyt spoke out in opposition…
cut 12 (05) “…again please”
But state representative Walt Leger of New Orleans supports a higher cigarette tax…
cut 14 (05) “…the product”
The panel ended its day by talking about raising taxes on beer, wine and alcohol to the southern regional average. Breaux Bridge representative Mike Huval expressed concerns, because it would hurt the state’s growing craft beer industry
cut 16 (10) “…upcoming business”
The panel did not vote on any of these measures that will occur in the near future.

A Metairie Senator has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo to create a plan of organization reform. Emelie Gunn has more…
voicer 2 (31) “…reporting”

And here’s the quote of the day. It comes from Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant, who expressed skepticism over the threat there will be no LSU football next fall, if college campuses close this spring because of a lack of funding…
cut 27 (06) “…this fall”

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the front-runner in the race to replace outgoing US Senator David Vitter, according to a new poll. Halen Doughty reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Halen Doughty”

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A Metairie Senator has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo to create a plan of organization reform. Emelie Gunn has more…

CUT 2 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race has Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy as the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, Kennedy received 22% of the vote that’s 12% more than Republicans Charles Boustany and Scott Angelle. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s reputation is boosting his campaign.

CUT 3 (05)  “so well”

Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. At this time, only Fleming and Maness have announced they are running. But so far Pinsonat says Kennedy is the favorite to make the run-off.

CUT 4 (06)  “with him”

Pinsonat says if four or five Republicans who are well-financed run for Senate, it could guarantee a Democrat being in the runoff. Democrats Foster Campbell and Caroline Fayard have support from 7% and 4% of voters respectively. Fayard is in the race, while Campbell is still thinking about it. He says a loaded ballot will hurt candidates with low-name recognition…

CUT 5 (07)  “to many choices”

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Louisiana Tech University has announced plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library, but LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon. Guerin says for the time being, Wyly Tower is still open.

CUT 6 (08) “24 months”

Guerin says Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library will be replaced with new up to date facilities for students.

CUT 7 (09) “university center”

The new university center will offer an information commons and a research and collaboration center. Guerin says the university will have to wait to see how the state’s budget crisis is resolved before moving forward.

CUT 8 (08) “this project”

Guerin says it will be more cost effective to replace Wyly Tower than to renovate it due to the tower’s infrastructural issues, including problems with the elevators, stairwells, fire alarms, windows, and mechanical control systems.

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Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform.  Appel says it’s clear we have grossly underfunded higher education but there is no prospect of that changing in years to come. He says additional money isn’t going to fall from the sky…

CUT 9 (09)  “the future”

Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

cut 10 (10)  “that’s wrong”

Appel says funding for higher education in Louisiana is pretty much stagnant as far as we can see in the future. He says it’s the duty of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and decide what actions need to be taken.

Cut 11 (08) “not realistic”

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The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. Fred Hoyt, a convenience store owner, spoke in opposition. He says adult tobacco users already pay their fair share of taxes and the tax was raised 50-cents last year.

cut 12 (05) “again please”

Bill Shepherd, owner of Churchpoint Wholesale, is also against raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes. He says raising this tax will negatively impact tobacco retailers across the state. Shepherd says if this bill passes Louisiana smokers could save 73-cents per pack by purchasing cigarettes across the state line in Mississippi, which is $266 annually for the average smoke. Louisiana would then collect less revenue.

cut 13 (10)  “the internet”

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is authoring one of the bills seeking to raise the cigarette tax.  Leger says the higher price for cigarettes will discourage people from smoking.

cut 14 (05)  “the product”

Leger says that the 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes last year was not enough. He says the increased tax would still keep Louisiana in the lower 50% in the nation.

cut 15 (12)  “other states”

The committee is waiting to hear on all the proposed taxes before deciding which ones to approve.

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