Voters approved Constitutional Amendment Two on the November 13th ballot; bringing changes to the state income tax code. So what comes next? Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

In 2020, state lawmakers approved a tort reform bill that supporters said would lower auto insurance rates in Louisiana, which are the highest in the nation. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says auto insurance premiums have gone up two percent this year. Insure-dot-com says 41 states have seen rates decrease.

An Arizona-based business has filed a lawsuit in a federal court in New Orleans claiming the state’s decentralized tax collection system is unconstitutional. Pelican Institute for Public Policy CEO Daniel Erspamer says the lawsuit was filed two days after voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have created a central collector that would disburse sales tax revenues to state and local governments…
cut 6 (13) “….here in Louisiana”
The Louisiana Department of Revenue and a few parishes are named as defendants in the case.

LSU Health Shreveport is bringing the COVID-vaccine for five to 11 year-olds to schools across northwest Louisiana this week. Hospital K-through-12 Engagement Coordinator Jennifer Deason says children who want to be vaccinated must have a signed parental consent form …
cut 14 (08) “…the shot”

Just days after voters said no to amending the state’s constitution to create a single tax commission, a federal lawsuit has been filed in New Orleans to force change to the tax collection system in the state. Daniel Erspamer, CEO of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, says the current system conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2018 Wayfair decision.
Cut 4 (08) “…have to do. “
The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of a small online Arizona jewelry and craft supply company that estimates the current tax system in Louisiana costs it two-dollars-28-cents.

An audit from the legislative auditor’s office finds the Louisiana Workforce Commission improperly paid two-point-nine million in unemployment benefits during the pandemic. LWC spokesperson Chris Fiore says unfortunately mistakes were inevitable when considering multiple new programs were implemented without extensive controls…
cut 9 (10) “…before”

LSU Health Shreveport is providing COVID vaccines for children ages five to eleven at schools in north Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former New Orleans Mayor and Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu will serve as President Biden’s senior advisor on the implementation of the infrastructure bill that’s being signed into law today. UNO Political Science Professor Ed Chervenak on what Landrieu brings to the table.
Cut 6 (08) “…how things work.”
The one trillion-dollar infrastructure bill will provide funding for roads, bridges and airports.

Three of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot failed, including Amendment One. Proponents say it would streamline tax collections. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says many local governments opposed over concerns they would lose out on tax revenue…
Cut 30 (11) “…pretty good. “
Amendment Two passed as it will lower individual income tax rates, but taxpayers will no longer be able to deduct federal taxes paid on their state returns.

An audit of the Louisiana Workforce Commission finds the agency made $2.9 million in payments that potentially violated both state and federal unemployment rules. Brent McDougall, Senior Analyst with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor says this is the fourth audit of LWC since the pandemic.
Cut 3 (12) “….same week.”
He says LWC already has already flagged some cases of overpayment and is working with those individuals to recapture the funds.

The Louisiana Pardon Board has recommended that Governor Edwards should pardon the late Homer Plessy. He was a Creole man of color and was arrested in 1892 after he boarded the White section of a segregated train in New Orleans. Plessy was later convicted of the Separate Car Act but Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams says it’s time to wipe that conviction off the books…
cut 14 (04) “….deeply symbolic”
The governor is expected to follow the pardon board’s recommendation.

Former Louisiana Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been tapped to oversee the implementation of the one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that is expected to be signed into law today. Landrieu was the mayor of New Orleans when the city was allocated millions of dollars in federal money to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

Louisiana voters rejected three of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s statewide ballot. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Pardon Board has recommended that Governor Edwards should pardon the late Homer Plessy. He was a Creole man of color and was arrested in 1892 after he boarded the White section of a segregated train in New Orleans. Plessy was later convicted of the Separate Car Act but Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams says it’s time to wipe that conviction off the books…
cut 14 (04) “….deeply symbolic”
The governor is expected to follow the pardon board’s recommendation.

The state supreme court will be asked to decide whether a 2018 law that prohibits non-unanimous jury convictions should be retroactive, allowing those convicted on 10-2 or 11-1 verdicts to get new trials. The Louisiana Attorney General’s office says it will create chaos for the court system, defense attorney Hardell Ward disagrees…
cut 12 (13) “…actually affect”
An appellate court in New Orleans has ruled the 2018 law should be retroactive.

The President will sign the historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill today. It contains a reported $6-billion for roads and bridges in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has been tapped to oversee the implementation of the legislation. Landrieu says their work will require strong partnerships across the government and with state and local leaders, business and labor to create good-paying jobs and rebuild America for the Middle Class.

Governor Edwards will be next to act on the Louisiana Pardon Board’s unanimous recommendation to posthumously pardon the late Homer Plessy. The man known as a 19th-century civil rights pioneer was arrested for trying to sit in the White section of a segregated train bound for Covington. Orleans Parish D-A, Jason Williams, spoke in favor of Plessy’s pardon.
Cut 13 (12) “…in this country.”
Plessy died in 1925 with the conviction for violating the railroad segregation law still a part of his record.

And the Louisiana Supreme Court will likely have to rule on whether those convicted by non-unanimous juries should receive a new trial. Non-unanimous verdicts were banned in 2018. Defense attorney Hardell Ward represents two men who were convicted on either a 10-2 or 11-1 verdict…
cut 10 (08) “…is a new trial”
The state supreme court will likely hear the issue next year.

President Biden is scheduled to sign the one-trillion dollar infrastructure bill today. It contains billions of dollars for Louisiana to improve roads and bridges. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says there is also millions for public transportation, airports and flood control…
cut 8 (08) “….new program”
And President Biden has selected former Louisiana Lt. Governor and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to manage the allocation of the dollars.

Three of the four constitutional amendments on Saturday’s ballot failed, including Amendment One. Proponents say it would streamline tax collections. But political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says many local governments opposed over concerns they would lose out on tax revenue…
Cut 4 (11) “…pretty good. “
Amendment Two passed as it will lower individual income tax rates, but taxpayers will no longer be able to deduct federal taxes paid on their state returns.

A legal showdown is brewing over whether persons convicted by split jury verdicts in Louisiana should get a new trial.:
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Monroe Police have arrested a 17-year-old in Saturday night’s fatal shooting death of Derrick Cowart. He died at a local hospital after first responders found him inside a home with a gunshot wound to his head. The teenage suspect was booked a short time later on a charge of second-degree murder.