Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate vehicle inspection stickers, marking his fourth attempt. Sean Richardson has more.
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Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of the start of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Andrew Greenstein talked with one man who was in the middle of it all.
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There’s a push in this legislative session to increase the scholarship award amounts for TOPS recipients. Colleen Crain has the story…
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State Representative Larry Bagley is once again pushing legislation to eliminate the need for passenger vehicles to have an up-to-date inspection sticker. It’s the DeSoto Parish Republican’s fourth attempt. Bagley says Louisiana is the only red state that requires them. Bagley has confidence he can get legislative approval this year, because he has the support of key players.
State Police opposed Bagley’s bill in the past because they would lose funding if motorists did not have to pay for an inspection sticker. Bagley addressed this by proposing a $10 annual increase to vehicle registration fees, maintaining funding without the need for inspection stickers.
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If passed, the bill would take effect July 1, potentially making current stickers the last. Currently, only 13 states require annual inspections, with six, including Louisiana, requiring them every other year. Bagley is optimistic, stating he’s worked to resolve past issues.
Cut 6 (07) “…problem for them.”
The bill is waiting for debate in the House Transportation Committee.
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As spring brings increased road construction, safety becomes more critical for both workers and drivers. National Work Zone Awareness Week, observed this week, encourages the need for caution in work zones. LWCC Jason Hazelton urges drivers to slow down, stay alert, and be mindful.
Cut 7 (08) “…behind the wheel.”
This year’s theme, “Respect the Zone So We All Get Home,” highlights the heightened risk of crashes during peak construction and holiday traffic. Hazelton says recent statistics show 891 in the U-S died in work zones.
Cut 8 (10) “…when we’re driving.”
Hazelton says drivers are encouraged to avoid distractions and expect sudden changes in traffic flow. Reduced speed limits, warning signs, and temporary traffic patterns must be followed.
Cut 9 (11) “…at the last second.”
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This week marks 15 years since the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill off the Louisiana coast. It was on April 20th, 2010 – 15 years ago yesterday – that the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, spewing almost five-million barrels of toxic oil into the gulf. 11 people were killed and 17 others injured, along with countless marine wildlife. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser was the president of Plaquemines Parish back then. He remembers not just the explosion and oil spill, but also the sheer chaos in the response. He says he found himself fighting BP and the consultants more than fighting the oil.
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Nungesser says he remembers a lack of leadership on the ground in the wake of the oil spill, which inspired him to eventually run for lieutenant governor.
Nungesser recalls the Coast Guard checking registration and insurance while people were putting their boats on trailers, with time of the essence. He says that wasted a lot of time that could have gone to rescuing people and marine wildlife.
Cut 12 (10) “…never understood that.”
In all, Nungesser says it’s an experience he hopes never to have to relive.
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There’s an effort in the legislative session to increase the award amounts for TOPS recipients. It’s held steady since the 2016-17 school year. Ruston Representative Christopher Turner’s bill would increase state funding for the TOPS scholarship program by 50 million dollars. Turner says the scholarship amount needs to be increased, because college costs a lot more than it did when he went to school…
But Lake Charles Representative Phillip Tarver is against Turner’s proposal because he wants to reduce state spending….
Under Turner’s proposal, a TOPS recipient would receive three thousand dollars to attend a two-year technical school. TOPS Opportunity recipients would get six thousand dollars, TOPS Performance 65-hundred dollars, TOPS Honors nine-thousand dollars, and a new scholarship award would be created, called Excellence, and those students would receive $11,300…
Cut 15 (13) “…four year univerities.”
Under the proposal, students at LSU and LSU Health New Orleans would receive an additional $350 a semester, since those schools are more expensive to attend.
The House Education Committee has approved the bill. It still needs to be reviewed by Appropriations before it gets a vote on the House floor.
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Louisiana Tech won its sixth straight series as the Bulldogs defeated Liberty four to three on Saturday. Tech also won a one-run game on Thursday and dropped a five-to-three decision on Friday night. Coach Lane Burroughs….
The Bulldogs are 10-4 in Conference USA, a half a game back of Western Kentucky and Dallas Baptist, who are tied for first in the league. Burroughs expects a tight race for the regular season championship…
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After winning two of three from Alabama, the LSU Tigers are now 12-6 in the SEC. Right fielder Jake Brown gives his assessment of the Tigers…
LSU had a chance to sweep Alabama, but they could not beat the Crimson Tide on Saturday, losing seven to four. Coach Jay Johnson says, despite the loss, it was a good week..