Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damages will not pass this session. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Oil and companies however won a lesser victory Friday when the Louisiana House gave final passage to a Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 that urges parish governments to drop lawsuits that accuse the companies of destroying coastal marshes and wetlands. It was approved by the House, 61-33. It does not change the law, however, it is an expression of legislative intent.

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill amends last year’s alcohol delivery law. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says if it’s signed into law it could really take off in a state like Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06)  “…do it.

The Louisiana House approved on Friday afternoon a proposal that will change the legal system for cases involving car accidents. Supporters say the state’s high jury threshold is a big reason why our auto insurance rates are the second-highest in the nation. Freshman Representative Larry Frieman from Abita Springs says when he campaigned, voters complained about our high rates and this measure is our best vehicle to lowering premiums

Cut 16 (07) “…to do it”

The vote was 72-28 in favor, it heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes.

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Restaurants are still limited to delivering sealed beer or wine, and grocery stores may deliver any type of packaged alcohol. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says he is confident allowing contract workers the right to deliver booze won’t be a problem.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…happens”

There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it is all about health and safety. Henderson says masks are going to be prevalent on UL System campuses.

Cut 8 (10) “…is available”

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damage dies in the House. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the failure to pass this legislation will cost the state thousands of potential new jobs because oil companies will refuse to invest here.

Cut 9 (07) “…lost revenue”

The Louisiana House approved on Friday afternoon a proposal that will change the legal system for cases involving car accidents. Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says every insurance company has told him they will lower rates by at least 10-percent if bill passes But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says nowhere in the bill does it say that insurance companies must reduce rates.

Cut 14 (09) “…guarantee”

The vote was 72-28 in favor and it heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes.

Activists are planning two demonstrations in New Orleans today to express solidarity with protestors in Minneapolis. The first at noon at Duncan Plaza across from city hall, organized by Take Em Down Nola and New Orleans Workers Group. The second at 5 pm at City Hall organized by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Organizers encourage social distancing and ask participants to wear face masks.

Health and safety measures will be in place across UL System campuses in the Fall, Jeff Palermo has more on what students and staff can expect.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Louisiana House approved on Friday afternoon a proposal that will change the legal system for cases involving car accidents. Chalmette Representative Ray Garafalo says this tort reform bill will lower auto insurance rates

Cut 13 (09) “much higher”  

The vote was 72-28 in favor of the measure and heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes to the bill.

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damage dies in the House. Proponents believe the lawsuits should be handled by the state, and not local governments. St. Bernard President Guy McInnis says the lawsuits are very much a local issue and they are not trying to run oil companies out of the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…of life”

Legislation blocking coastal local governments from suing the oil industry for damages dies in the House as the bill sponsor admits they just ran out of time to pass it this year. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says it is a frustrating outcome, and the lawsuits will never lead to a windfall for local governments and is just a trial lawyer scheme.

Cut 10 (08) “…pay day”

Local government leaders say the lawsuits will be instrumental in undoing industry damage.

Tort reform legislation that supports say will lower auto insurance rates is approved by the House and appears likely to gain final passage in one form or another Monday. The legislation lowers the jury threshold from 50-thousand to five-thousand dollars. But Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says this will actually hurt an injured person’s ability to recover damages.

Cut 15 (09)“ court system”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…crazy”  

Restaurants are still limited to delivering sealed beer or wine, and grocery stores may deliver any type of packaged alcohol.

There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. For example, changing the calendar so students will complete the semester before Thanksgiving.

Cut 6 (12) “ …after Thanksgiving”

The Louisiana House approved on Friday afternoon a proposal that will change the legal system for cases involving car accidents. Supporters say the state’s high jury threshold is a big reason why our auto insurance rates are the second-highest in the nation. Freshman Representative Larry Frieman from Abita Springs says when he campaigned, voters complained about our high rates and this measure is our best vehicle to lowering premiums

Cut 16 (07) “…to do it”

The vote was 72-28 in favor, it heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes.

It will be a different atmosphere on college campuses this fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. Henderson says this spring they learned how to improvise and implement technology, and it will be part of the changes to assist those at high-risk.

Cut 7 (10) “…possible”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation and he’s confident allowing contract workers the right to deliver booze won’t be a problem.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…happens”.

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damage dies in the House. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the failure to pass this legislation will cost the state thousands of potential new jobs because oil companies will refuse to invest here.

Cut 9 (07) “…revenue”

Proponents believe the coastal damage lawsuits should be handled by the state, and not local governments, but local officials, like St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis say coastal damage is a direct threat to their way of life.

The Louisiana House approved on Friday afternoon a proposal that will change the legal system for cases involving car accidents. Chalmette Representative Ray Garafalo says this tort reform bill will lower auto insurance rates

Cut 13 (09) “much higher”  

The vote was 72-28 in favor of the measure and heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes to the bill.

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damage dies in the House. Proponents believe the lawsuits should be handled by the state, and not local governments. St. Bernard President Guy McInnis says the lawsuits are very much a local issue and they are not trying to run oil companies out of the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…of life”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor’s desk. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says if it’s signed into law it could really take off in a state like Louisiana.

Cut 5 (06)  “…do it.

Health and safety measures will be in place across UL System campuses in the Fall, Jeff Palermo has more on what students and staff can expect.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The department of health will not be releasing updated COVID-19 case numbers and testing data due to technical issues today, however, data on hospitalizations and vent usage is available and the state reaches a landmark of fewer than 100 total patients on ventilators. Numbers have not been that low since March. Hospitalizations have also declined again, but 26 additional deaths are being reported.

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damage dies in the House. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the failure to pass this legislation will cost the state thousands of potential new jobs because oil companies will refuse to invest here.

Cut 9 (10) “…decision is”

Proponents believe the coastal damage lawsuits should be handled by the state, and not local governments.

It will be a different atmosphere on college campuses this fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. Henderson says this spring they learned how to improvise and implement technology, and it will be part of the changes to assist those at high-risk.

Cut 7 (10) “…possible”

Masks will also be required in the classroom.

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation and he’s confident allowing contract workers the right to deliver booze won’t be a problem.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…happens”.

The state reaches a landmark of fewer than 100 total COVID-19 patients on ventilators today. Numbers have not been that low since March. Hospitalizations have also declined again, but 26 additional deaths are being reported.

There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. For example, changing the calendar so students will complete the semester before Thanksgiving.

Cut 6 (12) “ …after Thanksgiving”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…crazy”  

Family, friends, coworkers, and Governor Edwards paid their respects to the life of 33-year-old State Police Trooper George Baker at his memorial service yesterday in Hammond. Baker was struck by a Hammond Police vehicle last week while assisting in the capture of a fleeing suspect and died of his wounds. Governor Edwards says Trooper Baker was a true public servant

Cut 11 (11) “…service continues”

That service included a deployment to the Middle East. He also served in the Greensburg Police Department and the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office. Trooper Baker is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Harper, his parents, sisters and extended family.

Busy day at the Capitol Thursday as lawmakers plowed through a series of controversial bills.

A Senate Committee hosted a debate about legislation allowing a concealed handgun permit holder to bring a gun into a church without informing the congregation. Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka says it will make churches a safer place.

Cut 13 (09) “to speak”   PM

But Church Attorney Andrew Wilson spoke out against it…

Second sound bit from PM Cut 2, 11 seconds, sword

That bill is headed to the Senate floor for final passage.

Three bills are also heading to the Governor’s desk. One of them, if signed, creates a fall ballot question asking voters if they would like sports betting to be legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says this will help make full legalization easier to pass next year…

Cut 3 (05)  “…should go”  

Another bill removes most restrictions on what conditions doctors can prescribe medical marijuana to patients for. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says is not an effort to legalize recreational marijuana…

Cut 7 (04) “…medcinal issue” ”

And finally legislation is headed to the Governor’s desk that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses. The money will be drawn from an 800 million dollar CARES Act payment sent to Louisiana. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter says this money was supposed to help save local governments…

Cut 13 (11) “…dollars” 

Proponents argue the grants will be crucial to saving businesses with fewer than 50 employees who did not receive federal assistance.

Governor Edwards says the current slowed pace of new infections, deaths, and hospitalizations is encouraging news for the possibility of entering Phase Two in June. Edwards says we are making progress, but its no reason for people to slack off on wearing a mask due to the risk of asymptomatic transmission.

Cut 10 (10) “…everybody else”

A House-approved bill allowing a concealed handgun permit holder to bring a gun into a church without informing the congregation heads to the Senate floor for final passage. Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham began the hearing by addressing one of most commonly cited concerns related to the bill…

Cut 12 (09) “…firearms”

Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that will ask voters on November 3rd if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. An effort to legalize sports betting failed in the legislature last year. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry say by putting the issue before the voters, lawmakers can then decide how they should vote when the sports betting and taxation bills come before them in 2021…

Cut 4 (09)_ “…pass the tax”

A bill that removes many restrictions on who can be prescribed medical marijuana is nearing final legislative passage. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the treatment has helped many, including former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Mills says Blanco’s daughter said the medical cannabis gave her mom a few more good days before she died…

Cut 6 (06) “ …little while”