A bill is making its way through the legislature that would require insurance companies to allow homeowners to insure their homes for their stated market values. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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A new poll finds the sheriff of Orleans Parish has abysmal approval numbers, and Helena Moreno is the clear favorite to become the new mayor of New Orleans. Sean Richardson has more on the survey paid for by a PAC that is not affiliated with any candidate.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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A Senate approved bill that would provide low-income homeowners with a tax credit of up to two-thousand dollars to help defray the cost of high insurance premiums has cleared its first hurdle in the House. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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A bill is making its way through the legislature that would require insurance companies to allow homeowners to purchase “stated value” policies. The bill was written by Belle Chasse Republican Representative Jacob Braud (“bro”), who says it would essentially allow homeowners to purchase coverage that matches the value of their homes.
Cut 4 (09) “…dollars of insurance.”
Braud says his bill would apply to those who have mortgages on their homes; those with homes that are paid off can insure them for any amount.
Cut 5 (13) “…fair market value.”
Braud acknowledges that there is risk involved in buying too little insurance under his bill. That’s why he included an educational component to it.
Cut 6 (11) “…risk of this.”
The bill passed in the House last week on a vote of 79-to-20. It now heads to a Senate committee before it’s heard on the Senate floor, should the committee approve it.
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JMC Analytics and Polling surveyed Orleans Parish voters to find out how elected officials are viewed by the public ahead of this fall’s election. Pollster John Couvillon says it’s not a surprise to see Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson with a 63-percent disapproval rating following last month’s jail break where ten inmates escaped…
Cut 7 (13) “…political viability.”
The poll also surveyed the upcoming Orleans Sheriff’s race, Hutson is receiving 12 percent of the vote, while former New Orleans police chief Michelle Woodfork is polling at 35-percent.
New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter has a 66-percent favorable rating. Couvillon says Carter has not ruffled many feathers during his time as a state legislator and now as a U.S. Representative.
Cut 8 (10) “…most people like him.”
For the New Orleans mayoral race, Couvillon says city councilwoman Helena Moreno is the clear favorite with 52-percent of the respondents in the survey supporting her, but can she keep up the momentum until election day in October…
Cut 9 (10) “…four and a half months to go”
The polls surveyed 500 likely voters in Orleans Parish on May 27th and 28th. A political action committee not affiliated with any candidate paid for the poll.
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Louisiana Senators have shelved a proposal to lower income and sales taxes. The House-approved bills stalled after a report revealed that the tax cuts would result in a 142-million-dollar shortfall in fiscal year 2027 and a 590-million-dollar shortfall in 2028. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan (“yahn”) Moller says the Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee was wise to put the brakes on these tax cuts, since the state income tax was just lowered earlier this year…
Cut 10 (08) “…schools and hospitals.”
The bills looked to cut the state sales tax from six percent to 5.75 percent and the individual income tax from three percent to 2.75 percent. The tax cut plan also sought to double the standard deduction for senior citizens. Moller says legislators always want to cut taxes, but they also have to pass a balanced budget every year.
Cut 11 (13) “..families and communities .”
On another note, the budget lawmakers are getting ready to approve is not a perfect spending plan, according to Moeller, but lawmakers are spending the available dollars they have wisely.
Cut 12 (09) “…Senate did that.”
The Louisiana Senate is expected to approve its version of the budget later this week.
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On a narrow eight-to-seven vote, the House Ways and Means Committee approves a Senate bill that would allow low-income homeowners to receive up to a two-thousand-dollar income tax credit to help them pay homeowner property insurance costs. New Orleans Democratic Senator Royce Duplessis is the author of the legislation.
Cut 13 (08) “…insurance premiums.”
Under Duplessis’ bill, the state would not issue more than 10-million dollars in tax credits each year and the credits would be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Homeowners who make less than 200-percent of the poverty level would be eligible. There was no way Chalmette Republican Michael Bayham would vote against this bill.
Cut 14 (11) “…about it.”
The bill has already received Senate approval, and SB 235 is expected to go before House Appropriations before floor debate.
But Republicans on the panel opposed the measure, because only households with less than 200-percent of the poverty level would be eligible. Sulphur Republican Les Farnum questioned Duplessis about the income limit…
Cut 15 (12) “…it the most.”
According to the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance, 193-thousand households would be eligible for the tax credit. The group says the tax credit would help those homeowners who make about 12 dollars an hour or retirees, who receive a little over two-thousand dollars in social security and retirement benefits a month.
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The LSU baseball team is headed to the Super Regionals but it was not easy as the Tigers had to rally back from a four run deficit against a hot hitting Little Rock team. But LSU got the bats going and freshman right-hander Casan Evans delivered a special performance in a 10-6 win. Evans struck out 12 over six innings, including nine in a row at one point…
Cut 16 (16) “…get themselves out.”
Little Rock could not get Ethan Frey out. The designated hitter from Rosepine went four-for-four with four runs driven in. His three-run double got LSU back in the game and it got the crowd at Alex Box Stadium believing again…
Cut 17 (17) “…unbelieveable”
It was Jay Johnson’s 500th career as he leads the Tigers to the Super Regionals for the second time in three years. He gives a lot of credit to Little Rock for battling, but also he’s proud of the performances by Evans, Frey and Luis Hernandez who hit two home runs…
Cut 18 (16) “…of characther.”
LSU will host West Virginia in a best out of three Super Regional series. Dates and times will be announced at 9 AM.