Republican Representative Chris Broadwater of Hammond, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, says lawmakers are taking a hard look at the Edwards Administration’s proposed one cent sales tax increase. He says the reason it’s such a pivotal issue is because they are trying to close a massive $950ish million dollar gap in the current fiscal year budget…:
cut 4 (06) “were it to pass”
He says the amount of revenue associated with the proposed one penny sales tax hike is keeping this a significant part of the discussion.

State Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches is proposing a higher tax on alcohol as a means to help close the deficit. It would be the first time since 1948. The measure would raise Louisiana’s beer, wine and liquor tax to the Southern regional averages..:
Cut 14 (05) “do something”
Under Cox’s bill, a gallon of liquor would be taxed an additional $3, and wine 34 cents more.

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the scheduled March 14th execution of the so-called River Parishes serial killer Daniel Blank — who was sentenced to die for the brutal murder of a 71-year-old Ascension Parish woman in 1997. Blank’s attorney, Gary Clements, says an execution date should have never been set, because his client had yet to exhaust all of his appeals…:
cut 11 (10) “after that”
Apparently Blanks’ execution could not have been carried out next month either way, because the state doesn’t have the necessary drugs.

Retiring Voice of the Tigers Jim Hawthorne has been named a recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Longtime Alexandria sportswriter Bob Tompkins is receiving the same honor. Both men will be enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

A north Louisiana lawmaker doesn’t like hearing the threat that there will be no LSU football next season because of budget issues facing higher education. Republican State Representative Steve Pylant of Winnsboro says Governor John Bel Edwards’ statement about the possibility there will be no LSU football next year is an empty threat…:
CUT 7 (06) “this fall”
But Democrat State Representative Pat Smith of Baton Rouge says legislators have to do whatever they can to keep universities open…:
Cut 9 (07) “doors open”
The comments came during a full day’s worth of testimony about funding for higher education.

Meanwhile the state Senate says they’ve done all they can, by law, to help balance the state’s budget as they await bills from the House side where tax increases and most financial measures must originate. The upper chamber has approved about $328 million dollars in patchwork funding to fill gaps in this year’s budget.

The Louisiana Supreme Court delays the execution of the so-called River Parish serial killer. Emelie Gunn reports Daniel Blank was scheduled to die next month for the murder of an elderly woman in 1997…:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

LSU was knocked out of the tie for first place in Southeastern Conference standings last night after falling to Alabama 76-69 at the PMAC. The Tigers visit Tennessee on Saturday.

The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents per pack. Bill Shepherd, owner of Churchpoint Wholesale, says if this bill passes Louisiana smokers could save money by purchasing cigarettes across the state line and Louisiana would then collect less revenue.

cut 13 (10)  “the internet”

New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says the higher price for cigarettes will discourage people from smoking.

Louisiana Tech University has announced plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library, but LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon. Guerin says the university will have to wait to see how the state’s budget crisis is resolved before moving forward.

CUT 8 (08) “this project”

The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race has Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy as the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, Kennedy received 22% of the vote that’s 12% more than Republicans Charles Boustany and Scott Angelle. Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy is the favorite to make the run-off.

CUT 4 (06)  “with him”

Pinsonat says if four or five Republicans who are well-financed run for Senate, it could guarantee a Democrat being in the runoff.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform.  Appel says funding for higher education in Louisiana is pretty much stagnant as far as we can see in the future. He says it’s the duty of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and decide what actions need to be taken.

Cut 11 (08) “not realistic”

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite in the first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race. Kennedy received 22% of the vote in the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters. Republicans Charles Boustany and Scott Angelle each got 10% of the vote. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy’s statewide recognition is boosting his campaign.

CUT 3 (05)  “so well”

Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support. At this time, only Fleming and Maness have announced they are running.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform.  Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

cut 10 (10)  “that’s wrong”

Appel says it’s the duty of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and decide what actions need to be taken.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has delayed the scheduled execution of Daniel Blank, who was convicted of beating and stabbing a 71-year-old woman to death while robbing her home in 1997. The state corrections department said Monday that it doesn’t have the necessary drugs for Blank’s execution. Blank was accused of killing 6 people in 1996 and 1997.

The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger says that the 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes last year was not enough. He says the increased tax would still keep Louisiana in the lower 50% in the nation.

cut 15 (12)  “other states”

Opponents of the tax say it would hurt tobacco retailers throughout the state. The committee is waiting to hear on all the proposed taxes before deciding which ones to approve.

Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the front-runner in the race to replace outgoing US Senator David Vitter, according to a new poll. Halen Doughty reports…
Voicer 4 (25) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The House Ways and Means Committee started hearing tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One measure would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger is authoring one bill seeking to raise the cigarette tax and says the higher price will discourage people from smoking.
cut 14 (05) “the product”

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Ed Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to create a plan for organization reform. Appel says it’s obvious we have grossly underfunded higher education but there is no prospect of that changing in years to come. He says extra money isn’t going to fall from the sky…
CUT 9 (09) “the future”

Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

Louisiana Tech University has plans to tear down Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library, but LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says the demolition won’t happen any time soon. He says for right now, Wyly Tower is still open.
CUT 6 (08) “24 months”

Guerin says they will be replaced with new up to date facilities for students.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform. Appel says additional money isn’t going to fall from the sky and He says it’s the job of the Board of Regents to plan the big picture strategy and figure out what actions need to be taken.
Cut 11 (08) “not realistic”

The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race has Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy as the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey of 500 likely Louisiana voters, John Kennedy received 22% of the vote in a race that already has five announced candidates. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says a loaded ballot will hurt candidates with low-name recognition…
CUT 5 (07) “to many choices”

The House Ways and Means Committee started hearing multiple tax bills today that would raise revenue to close the budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents to $1.08 per pack. Bill Shepherd, owner of Churchpoint Wholesale, is against raising the tax on a pack of cigarettes. He says if this bill passes Louisiana smokers could save 73-cents per pack by purchasing cigarettes in Mississippi. Louisiana would then collect less revenue.
cut 13 (10) “the internet”

Louisiana Tech University has announced plans to demolish Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library, but LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says this demolition will not happen any time soon….
CUT 7 (09) “university center”

Guerin says for the time being, Wyly Tower will likely remain in use for at least a couple more years.

The first independent poll on the 2016 US Senate race shows Republican State Treasurer John Kennedy is the favorite. In the Southern Media and Opinion Research Survey, Kennedy received 22% of the vote, which is 12% more than Republican Congressman Charles Boustany and GOP PSC member Scott Angelle. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says Kennedy is the favorite to make the run-off.

CUT 4 (06)  “with him”

Republicans John Young, Rob Maness, and John Fleming each have less than 8% of voters’ support.

Metairie Senator Conrad Appel has written a letter to Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo calling on the Board of Regents to construct a plan for organization reform. Appel says redesigning the system doesn’t necessarily mean the closing of campuses but all options should be on the table.

cut 10 (10)  “that’s wrong”

Appel says funding for higher education in Louisiana is pretty much stagnant for now.

Louisiana Tech University announced plans to demolish two buildings on campus- Wyly Tower and Prescott Memorial Library. LA Tech spokesperson Dave Guerin says the university will have to wait to see how the state’s budget crisis is resolved before moving forward.

CUT 8 (08) “this project”

Guerin says it will be more cost effective to replace Wyly Tower than to renovate it due to the tower’s infrastructural issues.

The House Ways and Means Committee began hearing various tax bills today that would raise revenue to close a massive budget deficit. One of the measures would increase the state sales tax on a pack of cigarettes by 22-cents per pack. Fred Hoyt, a convenience store owner, spoke in opposition, saying adult tobacco users already pay their fair share of taxes and the tax was raised 50-cents last year.

cut 12 (05) “again please”