The 2017 session is underway and Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers now is the time to pass long-term tax reform that provides budget stability, so Louisiana can better fund its priorities. Edwards is pushing a plan that would increase taxes on many businesses, but promises to lower taxes on most Louisiana residents…:
Cut 13 (12) “days ahead”
Edwards said he can’t respect legislators who vote no on every proposal, without offering their own ideas. The session must end June 8th.

Gas prices are on the rise. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the cost of regular gasoline rose 7 cents a gallon over the last week to $2.19….:
Cut 10 (11) “their equipment”

The feud between Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Garret Graves over the pace in which flood victims are getting federal aid heats up. Graves said he’s so confident that the state is at fault, he’d resign if it was actually the federal government slowing things down…:
Cut 8 (08) “or not”
But the Governor’s spokesman, Richard Carbo, says these kinds of comments aren’t doing anything to help homeowners…:
Cut 9 (08) “not accurate”
Carbo says he has a letter from HUD saying the state has not received the funds yet.

Meanwhile today was the first day flood victims could fill out a survey that would help state leaders determine how to distribute the money. The mandatory questionnaire is online at restore.la.gov, or you can call 1-866-735-2001.

The 2017 Legislative session is officially underway in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to lawmakers in a joint session and outlined what he hopes to see accomplished over the next two months. He said among his proposals, he wants to model Louisiana’s sales tax structure utilizing best practices from other states. He urged lawmakers to take a serious look at what we can do to better invest in our state’s roads — Increase minimum wage and support equal pay. And work to reduce the state’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. He says the most important thing they all must do, is work together…:
CUT 25 (10) “people of Louisiana”
He said he hopes politics and partisanship don’t blur the path to the goal. The session must end by noon on June 8th.

Gas prices are on the rise as the summer driving season approaches. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the statewide average of $2.19 is about 7 cents higher than the prior week which is typical for this time of year.
Cut 12 (11) “in June”
Gas prices are at their highest level since January.

The father of the 6-year-old autistic boy killed by a Marksville deputy marshal has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend. Chief Deputy Steven Martel with the Avoyelles Sheriff’s Office says they received a call Saturday about a domestic dispute between 26-year-old Christopher Few and his girlfriend.
Cut 3 (09) “strangle her”
Few is charged with domestic abuse battery.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he will resign if the federal government is holding up flood recovery financial assistance. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The father of the 6 year old child who was gunned down by former officers in Marksville in 2015 was booked over the weekend for allegedly strangling his girlfriend. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Steven Martel says there was enough evidence to arrest Christopher Few:
Cut 4 (07) “had occurred”
Few is charged with Domestic Abuse Battery.

As is typical when the weather warms up, the price at the pump also starts going up. Redman says refineries are switching from a winter grade of gasoline to a summer, which will lead to a decrease in supply. He says you can expect to pay more this year than in 2016…:
CUT 11 (10) “a gallon”
The current statewide average is $2.19, up 7 cents from the prior week.

A teacher has been arrested by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office accused of inappropriately touching one of his male students. Detectives says they received a complaint about the alleged incident last month, in which the victim stated happened on numerous occasions in 2015 when he was 15 years old. 31-year-old Raymond P Johnson is booked with indecent behavior with a juvenile.

We’re just hours away from the opening of the 2017 legislative session. Among big topics this year at the Capitol is a push to raise the state’s gasoline tax. But Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says many lawmakers are concerned that the additional revenues will not go towards their intended purpose…:
Cut 5 (10) “structure”
Tax reform, TOPS and criminal justice reform are other discussions up for debate over the next 2 months.

A little over 8 days after a former Marksville City Marshal was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of a six year old, the child’s father, Christopher Few is finding himself in trouble with the law. Jeremy Mardis was in a vehicle with Few when police opened fire, killing the child in 2015. Few, who was injured in the incident, was arrested over the weekend on domestic abuse charges. Derrick Stafford was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Mardis and injuring of Few.

Flood impacted homeowners can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal assistance. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says this is a very important first step in the process, then the federal aid will be doled out in phases, and families most in need of assistance will get help first….:
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The survey is online at restore.la.gov.

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. Lake Charles Representative Ronnie Johns says the law was passed last year and recently temporarily blocked by a judge for being too vague, which is why the new bill makes clear what he means by nudity and strip club…:
Cut 15 (09) “at 21 years old”
He says the bill’s intent is to curb human trafficking.

Governor John Bel Edwards will address the legislature at 1pm today after the 2017 regular legislative session begins. One of his main agenda items is criminal justice reform and reducing the state’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. But Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the concept is easier said than done…:
Cut 6 (09) “group out”

As for Edwards’ tax plan, even members of his own party are skeptical. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds heads the state Democratic Caucus and says many lawmakers are unsure about levying a gross receipts tax on businesses, which is basically a sales tax paid by sellers instead of buyers….:
Cut 8 (08) “I would think”
Other big topics at the Capitol over the next two months include TOPS and proposals to raise the gasoline tax.

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. Jeff Palermo reports…:
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If you flooded in 2016, today a mandatory survey to see if you’re eligible for federal aid is now available for victims. Governor’s Office Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer encourages all homeowners to visit restore.la.gov, whether or not they think they will qualify for assistance…:
Cut 11 (10) “becomes eligible”

One of the biggest points of contention during the legislative session that begins today is expected to be whether to raise revenue or reduce spending. Governor John Bel Edwards’ agenda includes a proposal that calls for a new tax on large businesses. But fellow Democratic Representative Gene Reynolds of Minden is skeptical they’ll be able to get the 70 votes in the House…:
Cut 7 (10) “to get”

Also TOPS, criminal justice reform and proposals to raise the gasoline tax are going to be some big topics over the next two-months at the Capitol. When it comes to raising the minimum GPA to qualify for TOPS, Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says that will be a tall order…:
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The session must adjourn June 8th.

Homeowners affected by last year’s floods can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal aid. Halen Doughty has more…:
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The bill that would mean you’d have to be at least 21 to work as a stripper in order to curb human trafficking is back for this session. Last year it was passed into a now temporarily blocked law, but author Senator Ronnie Johns of Lake Charles says the new measure is less broad than the original when it comes to the definition of nudity…:
Cut 14 (07) “my intent”

The legislature convenes at noon today, and TOPS, criminal justice reform and raising the gas tax will be hot topics….:
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Flood impacted homeowners can now fill out a survey to see if they qualify for federal assistance. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Julie Baxter Payer says the state needs to know what homeowners recovery needs are now…:
Cut 10 (06) “some reimbursement”
The questionnaire is available online at restore.la.gov.

The father of the 6 year old child who was gunned down by former officers in Marksville in 2015 was arrested over the weekend for allegedly strangling his girlfriend. The domestic abuse charge against Christopher Few comes just 8 days after one of the cops, Derrick Stafford, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the slaying of the child, Jeremy Mardis.

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for this legislative session. A similar measure passed last year, but the law was recently temporarily blocked by a judge over broad wording. It’s Lake Charles Representative Ronnie Johns’ bill and he says the judge didn’t seem to have an issue with the age restriction aspect…:
Cut 13 (09) “talking about”
He says the goal of this year’s bill is the same as 2016, to try to put a dent in the state’s human trafficking problem.

TOPS, criminal justice reform and proposals to raise the gasoline tax are some of the big topics that will be up for discussion when the legislative session begins Monday. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says passing a tax hike is difficult. because many lawmakers are concerned that the additional revenues will not go towards their intended purpose:
Cut 5 (10) “structure”

A bill to raise the minimum age of strippers to 21 is back again for the legislative session that begins Monday. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A New Orleans lawmaker wants to exempt tampons and other feminine hygiene products, as well as diapers, from the Louisiana sales tax. Supporter of Senator JP Morell’s bill, executive director of Lift Louisiana, Michelle Erenberg, says this is common sense legislation…:
Cut 14 (10) “made sense”
Opposition is coming from males who call this a special handout to women only and want fairness.

Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation fully support the United States missile attack on an air base in Syria. Retired Major General Ron Richard from Louisiana was a guest on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana and says the president made the right move…:
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But some say Mr. Trump should have received Congressional approval before authorizing a military strike.

It’s festival season in the Bayou State. Jeff Palermo has more on the festivals underway around the state…:
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The legislative session begins the day after tomorrow and Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll be looking at proven strategies from other southern states in order to push his agenda. He says we have to do something to lower Louisiana’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate…:
Cut 16 (09) “any longer”
Lawmakers will convene at noon on Monday.

A man from Baton Rouge is in big trouble for allegedly cashing his dead mother’s state retirement checks for 18 years. Attorney General Jeff Landry says 42-year-old Lester Joseph stole over $400 thousand from the state’s Teacher’s Retirement System…:
Cut 11 (10) “go to work”
Joseph is charged with 201 counts of felony theft and two counts of identity theft.

Neil Gorsuch will be sworn in as the Supreme Court’s 101st associate justice on Monday, and Louisiana’s junior U.S. Senator, John Kennedy, is praising Friday’s confirmation. Kennedy says Gorsuch is the right choice as he truly understands how to interpret the law, not make it.

It was yet another rough night for the LSU baseball team as the Tigers drop its 5th in the last 7 to Arkansas, 9-3 in Fayetteville. LSU is now 5-5 in the SEC and three games back of the Hogs, who are in first place in the SEC West. Game two of the series is at 6 PM.