The tax reform special session continues today, but not much activity is expected in public view. That’s because the Louisiana Senate is gearing up to vote on several tax bills tomorrow and that includes proposal to lower the state’s income tax to a flat three percent. The income tax cut would mean an estimated one-point-three billion dollar loss in state revenues. Lapolitics dot com publisher Jeremy Alford says lawmakers need to make up that loss with increased sales taxes or else a tax reform plan will not pass…

Cut 11 (050 “…to carry forward”

The special session must end by 6 PM Monday.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added 77-hundred jobs in the month of October. L-W-C economist Emily Dipalma says 44-percent of those new jobs are in the construction sector…

Cut 8  (12) “…in that sector”

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Robert F Kennedy as the next Secretary for Health and Human Services. Kennedy is a known a vaccine skeptic. In the next Congress, Bill Cassidy will serve as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  Cassidy, who is a  doctor, is expected to play a critical role in shaping healthcare reforms, addressing workforce challenges, and overseeing educational initiatives. His leadership could influence debates on contentious issues such as vaccine mandates.

Cut 6 (13) “…on anything else.”

President-elect Trump has taped WWE co-founder Linda McMahon has the next Secretary of Education. There was a push for Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley to get this job.

The clock is ticking on the special session. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, is reportedly planning to build a multi-billion dollar artificial data center near Holly Ridge in Richland Parish. The five billion dollar project would reportedly mean 500 jobs. For the project to become a reality, the Public Service Commission would have to approve three new natural gas power plants, which would provide power to the facility.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added 77-hundred jobs in October. L-W-C Economist Emily DiPalma says construction, private education and health services and manufacturing showed the largest gains over the month and Dipalma expects those industries to keep adding jobs…

Cut 9 (06) “….ten year outlook”

The Houma market added 500 jobs over the last month, 300 additional jobs for Lafayette and Shreveport, but Monroe lost 200 jobs.

Tulane University researchers are working on a nasal vaccine aimed at reducing the spread of whooping cough. Lead study author Lisa Morici (mo-REE-see) says the new vaccine combines the traditional pertussis antigens with an innovative adjuvant that boosts the body’s immune response, specifically in the respiratory tract.

Cut 13 (11)  “…that are susceptible.”

Negotiations continue at the State Capitol on a tax plan that would lead to lower income taxes, but higher sales taxes. The Landry Administration originally sought to tax 41 services that are currently not taxed, but La-Politics Publisher Jeremy Alford says that list has been pared down to 19 services…

Cut 10 (11) “….initially brought up”

Spa services, computer software installation and repair, cable and satellite services and car washes would be taxed.

Starting May 7^th you’ll need a REAL ID or you’ll need a passport or some other federally acceptable document to fly domestically. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Dan Casey says most Louisiana residents do not have a REAL Id…

Cut 30 (07) “…are real ID”

Casey urges Louisiana residents to visit their local OMV office to upgrade their current driver’s license or state ID to a real ID, if you have not done so already.

Louisiana’s employment figures show sustained growth. Workforce Commission Economist Emily DiPalma says seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs reached 1.9 million last month — up 7,700 from September and 9,500 over the year. Private sector employment also rose to 1.6 million, adding 7,100 jobs monthly and 3,900 annually.

Cut 7 (07) “…to include agriculture.”

This marks 43 consecutive months of year-over-year growth.

Robert F Kennedy Junior is a controversial pick to lead the U-S Department of Health and Human Services and the coming Republican-held Senate will ultimately decide whether to confirm him. Cassidy will serve as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in the next Congress. Cassidy on the confirmation process…

Cut 4 (10) “….will take place”

Cassidy says his role as HELP Committee Chairman will prioritize advancing policies rooted in scientific consensus.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has been a loud voice in Washington D-C for the need for flood insurance reform. Cassidy says Risk Rating 2.0 has led to flood insurance premiums that are no longer affordable. He has new numbers on how costly flood insurance has become. Cassidy says premiums Louisiana residents are paying have increased by 234 percent.

Cut 9 (14)  “…last year.”

Cassidy says he has a plan to make NFIP affordable, accountable, and sustainable

We are less than six months away from the Real ID deadline. Starting May 7^th, in order to fly domestically, you’ll need a REAL ID or you’ll need to present a passport or some other federally acceptable document. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Dan Casey says most Louisiana residents do not have a REAL Id…

Cut 8 (07) “…are real ID”

Casey urges Louisiana residents to visit their local OMV office to upgrade their current driver’s license or state ID to a real ID, if you have not done so already.

Two Louisiana high school football teams have been disqualified from the playoffs. Kace Kieschnick tells us why…

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick”

There was speculation Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves could be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Transportation Secretary. But Trump has nominated former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy for that post.

Starting next May, Allegiant Airlines will fly direct from Shreveport to Nashville on Thursdays and Sundays.

At the State Capitol, there are a lot of discussions happening behind closed doors about a tax reform plan. There appears to be enough resistance against a proposal to tax 41 services that are currently not taxed. State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says legislators are now looking at raising the state’s sales tax from 4.45 percent to five percent…

Cut 5 (10) “…trade off”

The House convenes this afternoon, and we’ll see if they pass a bill that raises the state sales tax to five-percent.

Governor Landry wants to scale back the film tax credit program and several other tax credits, so the state can afford to lower the state’s income tax rate on individuals. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says there has been healthy dialogue between legislators and those in the film industry about lowering the film tax credit program cap from 180-million dollars to 125…

Cut 4 (12) “…fluid over here.”

A second line shooting left two dead and 11 injured in the St. Roch (ROCK) neighborhood of New Orleans on Sunday. City officials say the shootings disrupted a cultural tradition. Sean Richardson reports.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Two high school football teams have been booted from the playoffs. The LHSAA says Ferriday is disqualified because of a brawl that broke out during the second quarter of their game against Lake Arthur. The Trojans were set to play at Welsh this Friday. And University High has lost its court hearing and a judge has sided with the LHSAA that the Cubs played two ineligible players this season.

What’s the latest with the special session on tax reform? Bills to reduce state income taxes have already cleared the House and State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says the House is now looking to raise the state sales tax to offset the loss of revenues from lower income taxes…

Cut 6 (07) “…11-cent sales tax”

The eleven-cent sales tax is when you combine local sales taxes with a proposed five-cent sales tax.

At the beginning of the special session on tax reform, the state’s film tax credit program was on the chopping block. But Marrero Senator Patrick Marrero says there’s an effort to preserve it. Marrero says they are looking to lower the amount of credits distributed to film producers each year from 180-million to 125-million dollars…

Cut 3 (07) “…jobs here”

Governor Landry has announced the deployment of nearly 1.4-billion dollars to bolster broadband connectivity throughout the state. Veneeth Iyengar (EYE-in-gur), the executive director of Connect L-A, says most of that money is staying local.

Cut 10 (07) “…in their communities.”

The governor’s office says this broadband deployment will expand connectivity to 140-thousand locations across the state, supporting 100 thousand households and 35-thousand small businesses.

Two people dead and eleven were injured in a mass shooting on Sunday during a second line parade in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans. Still no arrests. New Orleans Councilman Eugene Green says is confident law enforcement will bring those involved to justice…

Cut 8 (14) “…deserve justice’

What’s the latest with the special session on tax reform? Bills to reduce state income taxes have already cleared the House and State Capitol insider Bernie Pinsonat says the House is now looking to raise the state sales tax to offset the loss of revenues from lower income taxes…

Cut 6 (07) “…11-cent sales tax”

The eleven-cent sales tax is when you combine local sales taxes with a proposed five-cent sales tax.

Deer hunting season has been put on hold in the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, which covers parts of Ascension, Livingston, St. John and St. James parishes. L-D-W-F’s Shane Granier says flood waters in the area have reached three feet…

Cut 14 (12) “….day or two”

But we’ve seen a lot more rain fall in this area yesterday and into the overnight hours.

Governor Landry awards nearly 1.4-billion dollars in grants to bridge the digital divide. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

There was speculation Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves could be President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Transportation Secretary. But Trump has nominated former Wisconsin Congressman Sean Duffy for that post.

Starting next May, Allegiant Airlines will fly direct from Shreveport to Nashville on Thursdays and Sundays.