Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany introduces legislation designed to make sure President Barack Obama’s proposed 10-dollar tax on a barrel of oil never passes Congress. Boustany says this tax would create another level of problems for the state’s struggling oil and gas industry…
cut 6 (10) “…good idea”
The President is pushing the oil tax as a way to fund a 21st century clean transportation system.

Fishermen that harvest wild crawfish out of the Atchafalaya Basin like what they are seeking this season. Sherbin Collette says the mudbugs are bigger because high waters flushed out many swamps that have not been fished in years….
cut 8 (06) “…about that”
Collette expects an agressive crawfish market as more people are getting into the industry, because of job losses in oil and gas.

Louisiana’s revenue forecasts will be revised today and that means the state’s budget crisis could get worse. If the data shows less revenue coming into the state than anticipated, then the state’s 750-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year and 1-point-nine billion dollar deficit for next fiscal year could grow.

Central is the boringest city in Louisiana, according to a ranking complied by the website Road Snacks. Emelie Gunn has more on the factors that go into the ranking…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Emelie Gunn”

State representative Mike Johnson from Bossier City is expected to formally announce he’s running for US Representative in Louisiana’s fourth congressional district. Political analyst Elliot Stonecipher says several people are expected to get in this race and it will all come down to money…
cut 13 (08) “….relatively wealthy’
Republican Trey Baucum, a Shreveport cardiologist announced his candidacy last week.

The lenten season begins today and it’s a busy time of the year for the seafood industry. Crawfish fisherman Sherbin Collette of Henderson says the mudbugs coming out of the Atchafalya Basin are outstanding this year, because the conditions have been just right to produce quality and quantity…
cut 7 (07) “…in the basin”
Collette says high waters flushed out many swamps that have not been fished in years.

Louisiana’s budget situation could get even worse when the revenue estimating conference meets at the state capitol today. The state is already looking at a 750-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year and a 1-point-nine billion dollar deficit next year and the shortfalls could grow because less than anticipated revenues are coming into the state’s coffers.

Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany files legislation that looks to block President Barack Obama’s proposed 10-dollar tax on a barrel of oil to help fund a new 21st century clean transportation system. Boustany says it’s not right that the president is trying to fund his environmental agenda on the backs of hard-working Louisiana families in the oil & gas sector…
cut 5 (09) “….at its worst”
Both of Louisiana’s Republcian US Senators say the President’s oil tax has no chance of passing.

We find out later today if the state’s budget situation is even worse than previously thought. The Revenue Estimating Conference meets to get a revised forecast on how much money the state is expected to collect in taxes. Governor John Bel Edwards has hinted that the 750-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year could grow.

State representative Mike Johnson, a republican from Bossier City, is expected to announce his candidacy today in the 4th Congressional District race…
voicer 3 (31) “….I’m Michelle Southern”

Republican Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany introduces legislation that seeks to block President Obama’s proposed $10 tax on a barrel of oil to pay for a new 21st century clean transportation system. Boustany says a new tax on oil will hit an industry that has already struggled over the past year…
cut 4 (09) “…hurting now”
Other Republican Congressional members have also said Mr. Obama’s tax proposal is dead on arrival.

The party is all over as the carnival season came to a close at midnight last night and the Lenten season is underway. The New Orleans Police Department says they confiscated 30 guns near parade routes over the last 12 days.

Governor John Bel Edwards has put together a special web page to solicit public input on how to handle the state’s budget crisis. The governor’s director of communications Richard Carbo emphasizes the importance of public involvement and encourages people to contact their legislator.

cut 10 (07)  “your feedback”

The site can be found at gov-dot-louisiana-dot-gov.

It was a beautiful day for the Courier de Mardi Gras in Mamou. Mayor Ricky Fontenot says Mamou is like a little New Orleans because people from all over flock there for the Mardi Gras celebrations. He says the traditional celebration starts off early at 6 am…

CUT 7 (09) “a gumbo”

The website Trulia ranked the most Saintly Sanctuaries and Sin cities in the country and to no surprise, New Orleans comes in a number one for a sinful city. Spokesperson Filipe Chacon says the number of gambling establishments per household ranked highly in the categories of lust and greed for New Orleans. He says Shreveport came in as the number seven sin city in the country and both Louisiana cities come in pretty high on the list for sloth…

cut 13 (10)  “even”

A statue honoring the late Pete Maravich has been approved by the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. The set back for a Maravich statue has been that “Pistol Pete” passed away a few credit hours short of earning an LSU degree. The LSU Board of Supervisors recently made changes to a policy that opened the door for a Maravich statue. Former LSU Basketball player Collis Temple Jr. says Maravich deserves this honor…

CUT 4 (05)  “deserved it”

Governor John Bel Edwards has put together a special web page to solicit public input on how to handle the state’s budget crisis. The governor’s director of communications Richard Carbo explains that the purpose of the site is to inform the public and get suggestions from citizens.

CUT 9 (09)  “their feedback”

The site can be found at gov.louisiana.gov.

Trulia ranked the most Saintly Sanctuaries and Sin cities in the country and to no surprise, New Orleans comes in a number one for a sinful city. Spokesperson Felipe Chacon says the number of gambling establishments per household ranked highly in the categories of lust and greed for New Orleans. He says Shreveport came in as the number seven sin city in the country and both Louisiana cities come in pretty high on the list for sloth…

cut 13 (10)  “even”

Mamou’s famous Courier de Mardi Gras begins today with the town’s unique traditions. Emelie Gunn has more on the celebrations…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A statue honoring the late Pete Maravich has been approved by the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. The stumbling block for a Maravich statue has been that “Pistol Pete” passed away a few credit hours short of earning an LSU degree. The LSU Board of Supervisors recently made changes to a policy that opened the door for a Maravich statue.  Former LSU Basketball player Collis Temple Jr. says Maravich deserves this honor…

CUT 4 (05)  “deserved it”

Its’ a beautiful day for the Courier de Mardi Gras in Mamou. Mayor Ricky Fontenot says the last three years the weather has been horrible so everyone is enjoying today’s sunshine. He says it’s important to keep these traditions going because it’s part of Mamou’s heritage.

CUT 8 (10) “it’s down.”

Louisiana’s budget crisis is the worst in state history. Governor Joh Bel Edwards has put up a website calling that allows people to ask questions about the state budget. The governor’s director of communications Richard Carbo says their office will do it’s best to answer questions submitted through the website.

CUT 11 (09) “some information.”

The site can be found at gov-dot-Louisiana-dot-gov.

Trulia ranked New Orleans as the number one sinful city in the country. Spokesperson Filipe Chacon says New Orleans ranked high in the categories of lust and greed, thanks its adult entertainment industry. He says New Orleans ranked number one, despite receiving a low ranking for vanity.

CUT 14 (11) “surgeon offices.”

Shreveport came in as the seventh most sinful cities.

A statue honoring the late Pete Maravich has been approved by the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. The legendary athlete is still college basketball’s all-time leading scorer at 3,667 points. Former LSU Basketball player Collis Temple Jr. says Maravich’s scoring record is unrivaled and is happy there will be statue of “Pistol Pete.”

CUT 3 (10) “what he did.”

More details on the statue will be announced at a later date.

Louisiana’s new Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras looks forward to discussing spending changes in the upcoming special session. Halen Doughtyhas the story….
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Halen Doughty”

A feud over what to do with a lawsuit that attempts to get Louisiana out Common Core continues to grow between Governor Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry. Edwards wants to terminate the federal case, but Landry wants to continue the appeal process and believes the constitution gives him the final say on the matter.

The Public Affairs Research Council has published a nine-page report that contains several suggestions on how to control state spending. PAR president Robert Travis Scott says one suggestion is to do away with various tax credits the state gives, like the tax deduction parents receive for sending their child to a private school…
cut 11 (05) “….like that”
Another PAR recommendation calls for no merit pay increases for state employees next year.

A little bit on the cool side, but otherwise it’s a picture perfect Fat Tuesday across Louisiana. There will be big crowds for parades along the I-10 corridor today. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says the early carnival season did not draw a record number of revelers, but the crowds were still good…
cut 6 (08) “….this entire season”
It will be a little bit windy for parade goers today.