A House bill aimed at ending state income tax gets its first hearing by lawmakers today. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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With Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s announcement he’s not running for re-election, only two of seven current statewide elected officials will be on the ballot in October. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan wants to make the Louisiana Commission on School and Nonprofit Safety to be permanent. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A bill that would end state income tax in Louisiana goes before the House Ways & Means Committee today. Republican Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says his HB 424 would phase out taxes collected on the income of persons, estates, and trusts. Nelson says Louisiana needs this if it wants to compete with neighboring states with NO income tax, like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee…:
Cut 4 (07) “…compared to Louisiana.”
The bill would phase income taxes out over a four-year period. By 2027, we would be paying none. Nelson says the revenue lost would be offset by lowering the homestead exemption on property taxes and eliminating a number of exemptions to the state sales tax…:
Cut 5 (11) “…sales tax right now.”
Nelson understands it may be hard for fellow lawmakers to embrace the idea of ending income taxes…:
Nelson’s bill is part of a package of proposed tax reforms he has scheduled in Ways & Means today. Nelson says he plans to make repealing income tax a platform in his campaign for Governor.
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Of the seven statewide elected positions in Louisiana, only two are seeking reelection this fall. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says every now and then we see a big shake up when it comes to these positions…
Governor John Bel Edwards is term-limited. Attorney General Jeff Landry is running for Governor, so is State Treasurer John Schroder. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon are not running for re-election. Cross says the big focus is on the governor’s race, but getting elected as Secretary of State, State Treasurer or Attorney General sets you up for a bigger job in the future…
Cut 8 (12) “…Louisiana politics.”
Qualifying for the statewide elections is August 8th and 10th. Pearson says the open statewide elected positions are drawing lots of candidates…
The primary is October 14th.
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Independent candidate for Governor Hunter Lundy is keeping an eye on what the Louisiana Legislature will do to fix the state’s property insurance crisis. Lundy is concerned lawmakers will approve legislation that will restrict the ability to sue insurance companies….
Insurance Commissioner JIm Donelon’s legislative package would seek to prevent friviolous lawsuits against insurance companies. He says numerous lawsuits in Florida against insurance providers caused problems with the insurance market in Florida.
Lundy says he would like to see legislation that would give the consumer more rights against adjusters who do not do their job…
Cut 11 (12) “…moisture meters.”
Lundy does not support legislation that would make the Insurance Commissioner an appointed position…
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After creating a commission to assist schools and nonprofits with guidance and training for crisis management last year, Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan wants to make it a permanent entity, and establish the Center for Safe Schools within the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and Senate Bill 207 does just that.
Cut 13 (11) “…protect ourselves.”
Milligan says initially it was students from the Legislative Youth Advisory Council who told him they might practice active shooter drills but they aren’t necessarily prepared on what to do if it happens when they change classes or if they could be doing more to protect themselves.
Another reason Milligan says it’s important to have a central point of reference is to assist schools and non-profits with resources and how to apply for grants to increase security.
The Center for Safe Schools would operate within GOHSEP and Milligan says the entity will also be able to apply for Federal funds as well.
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The top ranked LSU baseball team came away with another series victory over the weekend as they defeated Kentucky two games to one. The Tigers had to rally to win the series finale on Saturday. Down six to four in the seventh inning, LSU came back to win seven to six. Coach Jay Johnson says it was an impressive victory….
Bryce Collins was the winning pitcher as he’s emerged as a go to guy out of the bullpen for the Tigers. After a rough start to the season, Collins has now earned wins in his last two outings. The transfer from Arizona says he’s feeling more comfortable on the mound…
LSU is now 29-6 and 9-and-5 in the SEC. Johnson says winning a series against a team that had the best R-P-I in the country is huge…
Cut 18 (19) “…to.the players.”
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There’s one more week left of spring practice for the LSU Tigers. One of the big additions is linebacker Omar Speights who transferred in from Oregon State. Last season Speights was named first-team All-Pac 12 after recording 83 tackles. Speights on why he chose to come to LSU…
Cut 19 (18) “…ultimate factor”
Speights is an experienced player as he had 304 tackles in four seasons with Oregon State. Speights is expected to be a starter and a leader for the Tigers in 2023…
Cut 20 (20) “…some things too.”