After an hours long heated debate in a Senate committee, the panel voted
to defer two bills aimed at protecting confederate monuments. Jenna
Burnstein gave a firey testimony in support of war statues and went back
and forth with Committee Chairman Karen Carter Peterson who is against
the legislation…:
Cut 12 (10) “no you don’t”
Peterson told supporters that the Civil War ended centuries ago.

The proposal to raise the state’s gas tax was pulled from the House floor
before debate as there weren’t enough votes to get it passed. It still
sparked discussion from both sides. Shreveport Representative Alan
Seabaugh opposed the increase saying he won’t turn his back on his
constituents…:
Cut 16 (08) “gas tax”
Supporters said killing the bill puts Louisiana’s roads at risk.

A House-backed bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the
TOPS scholarship will be heard in the Senate education committee today.
Emelie Gunn reports…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Today is the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and one of
the most important ways to prepare is to know your coverage. State
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises homeowners to prepare to file
a claim…:
Cut 5 (10) “valuables”
He also encourages everyone in the state to get flood insurance.

A proposed gas tax hike was killed without a vote on the House floor, but there was still ample discussion about the attempt to raise millions of dollars to improve roads. State Representative Steve Carter expressed his frustration with his own party, who actively fought the legislation. He also criticized an out of state anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity, who lobbied against it…:
Cut 14 (09) “our problems”
Haughton Representative Dodie Horton says she speaks on behalf of her constituents who don’t trust that the money would go towards transportation infrastructure…:
Cut 15 (09) “a gas tax” 2x

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling for a special session next week that would only take place, if lawmakers are unable to approve a spending plan for next fiscal year.

A Senate committee defers two bills seeking to protect confederate monuments after 5 hours of emotional testimony. Halen Doughty has more:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill to raise the minimum GPA requirement to receive the TOPS scholarship will be heard in Senate Education today. Currently, students have to earn a minimum of 2.5. State Representative Franklin Foil’s bill would raise that to 2.75. He says the program needs to be tightened up…:
Cut 7 (09) “higher GPA”

After five hours of heated debate, a Senate committee rejected two proposals aimed at protecting confederate monuments. Senator Troy Carter noted there are no statues celebrating Adolph Hitler…:
Cut 10 (12) “a commemoration”
Monument supporter Jenna Burnstein, who is Jewish, said it’s not fair to compare Civil War generals to Hitler…:
Cut 11 (10) “not on my watch”
Both measures were deferred with a 4-2 vote.

The state Department of Insurance is reminding policyholders to make sure they are fully covered as the hurricane season begins today. Commissioner Jim Donelon says now is a good time to know what is and isn’t covered:
Cut 4 (06) “hurricane deductible”

A proposal to increase the state’s gasoline tax died without a vote. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

State Police say a 12-year-old in Baton Rouge died after being run over by a suspect who was leading cops on a chase following a narcotics investigation and subsequent officer-involved shooting. Family members identified the child victim as Sammy Lee. Charges are pending.

A Senate-backed measure to change the name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts to the Jimmy D. Long Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts clears a House panel. Emelie Gunn reports:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A measure that would have raised Louisiana’s gas tax is dead for the session and didn’t even get a debate on the House floor today as scheduled. Representative Steve Carter says he didn’t take up the proposal to increase the gas tax 10 cents per gallon because it was about 10 votes short of the necessary two thirds majority to pass.

Two bills are heading to the Governor’s desk that seek to close loopholes in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. One measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno adds dating partners to the laws. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says these victims need protection under the law…:
Cut 9 (07) “were killed”
The other measure includes same-sex partners in domestic violence laws.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released a statement about the incident in which a dog was killed after allegedly being dragged by a vehicle in the Slidell area. Captain Daniel Seuzeneau says they are not happy about The Humane Society sending out a news release on the matter because it has only hindered the investigation…:
Cut 6 (10) “accurate”
He says the man involved has been cooperating and the investigation’s findings will be released once complete.

Heated debates have been ongoing for more than three hours as a Senate committee takes up two proposals aimed at protecting Louisiana’s confederate monuments. One of the measures would require a public vote to remove military monuments, while the other requires legislative approval. Spectators, supporters, and opponents pack the committee room, and the debate has no end in sight.

The House approves a proposal to allow drug felons to receive food stamps. Michelle Southern has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Two bills seeking to close loopholes in domestic violence laws have won final passage. The bills add dating partners and same sex couples to domestic abuse statutes. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says now all domestic abusers will face the same penalties.

Cut 11 (09) “into the law”

Wineski says previously abusers same-sex or dating partners could only be charged with simple battery.

A measure to change the name of the Louisiana School of Math, Science and Arts to the Jimmy D. Long Louisiana School of Math, Science and Arts passed on a 5 to 2 vote in the House Education Committee. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson says his bill by no means diminishes the contributions of the great men and women that have graduated from LSMSA.

Cut 12 (07) “made”

The measure met steep opposition from LSMSA alumni.

Drug felons would be eligible for food stamps for the first time in decades under a House-approved measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno. An amendment was added to the bill that would require drug testing in order to receive the benefits, but Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says further restrictions hurts these offenders chances of turning their life around…:
Cut 5 (10) “so much”
The amended measure passed in the House on a 77-17 vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards legislative package aimed at reducing the state’s incarceration rate got another step closer to his desk. A House panel advanced the three Senate approved bills dealing with sentencing laws and other ways to expand probation and parole opportunities. The measures now head to the full House after the governor compromised with the district attorneys.

Two bills are heading to the Governor’s desk that seek to close loopholes in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. A measure by Marrero Representative Patrick Connick includes same-sex partners in the statutes. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says these bills will save lives
Cut 10 (11) “domestic abusers”
The other bill adds dating partners to the laws.

A Senate approved bill to change the name of the Louisiana School for Math, Science and Arts in Natchitoches was approved in the House Education committee today on a 5-2 vote. Delhi Senator Francis Thompson’s proposal would change the school’s name to Jimmy D. Long Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts. LSMSA alumni oppose the name change due to identity purposes, but supporters say Jimmy Long was a moral and hardworking legislator and was dedicated to creating the school.

A very emotional debate on military monuments is underway in the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. Two bills are being discussed seeking to protect war statues in the state, and one supporter began crying over the removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. Shreveport Representative Thomas Carmody authors one of the measures and has already said he doesn’t believe the votes are there in the committee to pass. Chairman Karen Carter Peterson staunchly opposes the legislation.

Two bills are heading to the Governor’s desk that seek to close loopholes in Louisiana’s domestic violence laws. One measure by New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno adds dating partners to the laws. Interim executive director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Mariah Wineski, says these victims need protection under the law…:
Cut 9 (07) “were killed”
The other measure includes same-sex partners in domestic violence laws.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office is not happy the Humane Society of Louisiana sent out a release about a dog that was killed after being dragged behind a pickup truck. Captain Daniel Seuzeneau reminds the public that if information doesn’t come from an official law enforcement source, be cautious before passing judgement. He says the man involved has been identified and is fully cooperating with authorities…:
Cut 7 (09) “right now”
Seuzeneau says they are currently interviewing the man, witnesses and have sent the dog off for a necropsy.

All 3 key prison reform senate approved bills got out of House criminal justice today and head to the full House for final legislative passage.

The full House approves a measure that would allow drug felons to be eligible for food stamps, as they currently are not. Winnsboro Representative Steve Pylant, a former sheriff, proposed an amendment to require those eligible to submit to routine drug tests in order to receive the benefits to ensure they are properly being used…:
Cut 4 (10) “most of em are”
The bill, with the amendment, heads to the Senate on a 77-17 vote.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released a statement about the incident in which a dog was killed after allegedly being dragged by a vehicle in the Slidell area. Captain Daniel Seuzeneau says they are not happy about The Humane Society sending out a news release on the matter because it’s has only hindered the investigation…:
Cut 6 (10) “accurate”
He says the man involved has been cooperating and the investigation’s findings will be released once complete.

This afternoon the House is slated to debate raising the state’s gasoline tax.:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A study out of Australia finds late night phone usage could hurt teens’ sleep quality and mental health. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says the bright light on the screen isn’t the only thing keeping them awake…:
Cut 10 (09) “good sleep at night”
She says the best solution is to take the phone away from your kid at night.

The bill to raise the state’s gas tax for roads is slated to be heard in the full House today. The measure originally called for a 17 cent per gallon increase, but backers say they are willing to go down to 10 cents. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says this means the number of highway projects would have to be scaled back…:
Cut 8 (11) “in Lafayette”
The Republican Party of Louisiana has asked residents to call their legislators and ask them to vote against the gas tax.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has released a statement about the incident in which a dog was killed after allegedly being dragged by a vehicle in the Slidell area. Authorities are not happy about The Humane Society sending out a news release on the matter saying that it has only hindered the investigation. The sheriff’s Office says the man involved has been identified and is cooperating. The outcome of the investigation will be revealed once complete.

Statewide regulations for Uber and Lyft have been shelved for the session
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A new study out of Australia suggests teenagers who go to bed with their phones are more prone to sleep and even mental problems. Clinical psychologist Michelle Moore with the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans says if kids are checking their phones they aren’t sleeping:
Cut 11 (09) “lot of sleep at night”
She says the best solution is to remove the phone from the bedroom at night.