Lawmakers are hoping to knock out a balanced budget for the next fiscal year before the regular session ends June 1^st despite a billion-dollar projected deficit. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says there are 50-50 odds that the budget debate will require a June special session, but not for the usual partisan reasons.

Cut 14 (09) “…services”

Governor Edwards has indicated that any budget passed this session for the next fiscal year will likely need to be revised in October.

Senator Bill Cassidy says more needs to be done to address the developmental damage being done to children who are missing out on critical days of school. Cassidy says all of the country’s vaccine work is currently focused on adults, but children need a vaccine too.

Cut 8 (12) “…this”

Cassidy raised these questions with Trump Administration health officials.

The idea of axing Mardi Gras 2021 in New Orleans has been discussed, but in Lafayette, the outlook is to stick to business as usual.  President and CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says if guidance is issued on how to best handle Mardi Gras closer to Carnival season, those measures will be taken.

Cut 5 (09)  “…and welcoming people.”

Fat Tuesday falls on February 16 in 2021.

The United Way is asking families how is the COVID-19 crisis impacting them financially? Louisiana Association of United Ways President Sarah Berthelot says you can go to launitedway.org to complete the ten-minute survey. She hopes to receive several hundred responses from every region of the state.

Cut 11 (12) “…them for”

Berthelot says they launched the survey on Tuesday and they’ve already had about one-thousand respondents.

House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says the odds of crafting a balanced budget for the next fiscal year that includes a billion dollar deficit thanks to COVID-19 and the oil price crash without a special session are about 50-50. Zeringue says crafting that budget is difficult because right now we don’t know how much federal aid the state will get, or how we can use it. Without federal aid higher ed and health care could face steep cuts…

Cut 13 (11) “longterm”  

Louisiana received 1.8 billion in COVID-19 response funding from the feds with the requirement that it only be spent on direct response to the pandemic.

Louisiana reports 612 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the largest single day jump since May 1^st, but state officials are cautioning that the bulk in new reporting is largely due to a testing logjam. One confirmed positive trend is that the state has now dropped below 1,200 COVID hospitalizations for the first time since March.

The Louisiana Association of United Ways is asking residents to complete their ten-minute online survey to find out how COVID0-19 is impacting families financially. Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Senator Bill Cassidy says the feds need to dedicate more resources to figuring out how we can get kids back in school. He says younger students are losing critical time in the classroom, and parents are struggling with them at home…

Cut 7 (05) “.suffer”

The state reports its biggest single-day COVID-19 case count increase since May 1, with 612 new cases. The Department of Health says 317 of those come from labs that are new to reporting and are now reporting their historic lab results electronically, meaning 295 cases came from the regular reporting across the state. Total cases: 32,662. 34 new fatalities bring the state’s death toll to 2,315.
Healthcare and higher education appear likely to suffer deep cuts as the state faces a billion-dollar projected deficit in the next fiscal year. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The United Way is asking families how is the COVID-19 crisis impacting them financially? Louisiana Association of United Ways President Sarah Berthelot says they are asking residents to complete their online survey that starts off by asking what is your most pressing concern

Cut 9 (10) “…depleted.”

Berthelot says many families are in a financial position they’ve never been in before.  She says the answers to the survey will help United Way determine what kind of assistance families need

The idea of axing Mardi Gras 2021 in New Orleans has been discussed, but in Lafayette, the outlook is to stick to business as usual.  President and CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says moving forward with planning a normal Mardi Gras is going to be a big factor in getting visitors back to the area.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…and Acadiana area.”

Fat Tuesday falls on February 16 in 2021.

As Louisiana moves toward phase one of reopening the economy, the state reports its biggest single-day case count increase since May 1, with 612 new cases. Total cases: 32,662. 34 new fatalities bring the state’s death toll to 2,315. Hospitalizations have fallen below 1,200 for the first time since March, now sitting at 1,194.
Lawmakers are hoping to knock out a balanced budget for the next fiscal year before the regular session ends June 1^st despite a billion-dollar projected deficit. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says the unfortunate reality of a billion-dollar deficit is that some deep cuts may have to be imposed.

Cut 12 (11) “…do.”

A balanced budget must be passed by the start of the next fiscal year, July 1^st.

When Casinos and gaming facilities reopen on Monday as part of Phase One across the state it won’t be business as usual. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Lawsuit reform aimed at lowering auto insurance prices advances out of committee in both the House and Senate. The debate in both chambers lasted most of the day with proponents saying passage would lower rates by as much as ten percent, but opponents, like Lawyer and former Congressman Don Cazayoux say lowering the jury trial threshold to 5,000 dollars will force more victims into lengthy court battles.

Cut 12 (12) “…amount”

The idea of axing Mardi Gras 2021 in New Orleans has been discussed, but in Lafayette, the outlook is to stick to business as usual.  President and CEO of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says the plan is to assume the worst of the pandemic will be in the rearview mirror by next year.

Cut 3 (06)  “…with our plans.”  

Fat Tuesday falls on February 16 in 2021.

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The longstanding tradition of the Louisiana Farm Bureau holding its annual convention in New Orleans is not happening this year.  Under normal circumstances, 1500 members and their families would congregate, but Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the 98^th annual convention will be replaced by an event that looks much different.

Cut 14 (12) “…a physical location.”

This year, a new Louisiana Farm Bureau president will be named.

Senator Bill Cassidy says more needs to be done to address the developmental damage being done to children who are missing out on critical days of school. Cassidy says younger children need to be in the classroom while their minds are primed to absorb the most knowledge.

Cut 6, 09 seconds, opportunity

Cassidy also says more attention needs to be focused on effective vaccine development for children so that they do not carry any potential infections they may pick up when schools return.

The session’s major lawsuit and insurance reform omnibus bill is headed to the House Floor. The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold and bill sponsor, Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says auto insurers have promised rate reductions if it passes.

Cut 10 (05) “…this bill.”

Lawyer and former Congressman Don Cazayoux says the changes will pressure victims into settling for less than they deserve by requiring lengthy jury trials.

Cut 12 (12) “…amount”

The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the legislative measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez warns if the Governor delays in continuing to reopening the economy he may revive the effort…

Cut 12 (10) “…his job.” PM

The state faces a billion-dollar deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1^st with the possibility that deficit could rise if the economy continues to deteriorate. Governor Edwards says that unpredictability makes it likely any budget passed this session would have to be changed in the fall.

Cut 6 (10) “year.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a 316 million dollar loss in sales tax, a 351 million dollar decline in severance taxes, and 172 million dollars in gaming revenue losses due to COVID-19.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing to address some of Louisiana’s, and other states’, COVID-related deficits by directing 500 billion dollars to state and local governments over the next two years.

Cut 4 (7)_ “…tremendously”

The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a billion dollar decline in state revenues for the next fiscal year. That means state lawmakers will have to make significant reductions in state spending. Legislators will try to complete that task before the regular session ends on June 1st. Governor Edwards believes it can be done…
Cut 7 (08) “.budget”
There’s hope that federal dollars can help plug the budget deficit.

A resolution ending the Governor’s stay at home order was shelved upon news the state will enter Phase One Friday. House GOP Chairman Blake Miguez says his instrument isn’t going away and he will revive the effort if the Governor does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan.

Cut 12 (10) “…his job.”

The resolution had cleared a House Committee as was headed to the House floor.

The University of Louisiana System says they are planning to have students on campus this fall. Nine schools make up the U-L system and President Jim Henderson talked about what it might look like on campuses…
Cut 3 (10)  “…and responsibly get.”  
Henderson says there will be temperature checks, increased testing and a heightened focus on sanitation on their campus.

One person is dead after fleeing from law enforcement following the discovery of apparent street racing activity in Shreveport.  Trooper Brent Hardy says around 2am Monday, State Police showed up to disperse the crowd and a pursuit ensued with a Chrysler 300 driven by 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal.

Cut 9 (09) “…struck a tree.”

O’Neal was pronounced dead at the scene and the vehicle’s five other passengers, ages 16 to 20, sustained a range of moderate to serious injuries and were sent to local hospitals.

Based on projections of economists the state is facing a billion-dollar shortfall for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st because of the coronavirus outbreak. Governor John Bel Edwards warns we really don’t know the full extent of the shortfall…
Cut 6 (10) “year.”

Despite the uncertainty, Edwards does not believe a special session will be necessary to pass a budget.

The University of Louisiana System announces plans to resume in-person instruction this fall. A system-wide framework will be put in place, but each of the nine-member institutions will have the ability to optimize safety measures for their individual campus. UL System President Jim Henderson expects there will be modifications for incorporating mitigation efforts into the college setting.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…pinpoint our interventions.”

As the state moves towards a phase one reopening of the economy, the state health department reports a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized. The number increased by ten to 1,320. The state also reported 235 additional coronavirus cases and 39 more deaths.

A legislative attempt to prevent the governor from enforcing his stay at home order is halted after the announcement that Louisiana will move to Phase One…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The University of Louisiana System plans to resume in-person instruction this fall at all nine member institutions.  UL System President Jim Henderson says there are hurdles obtaining resources for temperature checks, increased testing, and a heightened focus on sanitation.

Cut 5 (07)  “…are in place.”

The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says he’ll only revive the effort if Governor Edwards does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan and if it does lead to a spike in cases it should not result in the entire state being put back on lockdown.

Cut 14 (10) “…Phase Two”

Edwards said if a strict stay at home order is needed again, he’ll use a regional approach, instead of statewide.

The state faces a billion-dollar deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1^st with the possibility that deficit could rise if the economy continues to deteriorate. Governor Edwards says the unpredictability makes it likely any budget passed this session could be changed in the fall. But Edwards says if the feds bail out state and local governments it’s possible the deficit could shrink significantly…

Cut 8 (10) “…to it”

Senator Bill Cassidy is spearheading a federal effort to get 500 billion dollars sent to local and state governments.

State Police is investigating the death of a 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal, who died during a police chase early Monday morning. L-S-P spokesperson Brent Hardy says the chase in Shreveport started after police were called to investigate reports of a street race…Hardy says street racing is a problem on the national level and is never a good idea.

Cut 11 (05) “…safe.”