LRN Legislative Report for Monday May 11th

Today state lawmakers will get a better idea of just how much money Louisiana stands to lose in the next budget year as a result of the worldwide pandemic and the collapse in oil prices. The Revenue Estimating Conference will meet to discuss the impact with speculation indicating it could be anywhere from 500 to 1.5 billion dollars in lost revenue. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says legislators are agonizing over what these numbers will show…

Cut 10 (13) “…are so high.”

Pinsonat says federal dollars can possibly fill some of the budget holes, but the money comes with strings attached…

Cut 12 (12) “…quesiton marks”

In response to the anticipated revenue drop Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds has presented legislation requiring the government only spend 98 percent of it’s estimated revenue to prevent midyear budget cuts if things are worse than expected.

A proposal to end lawsuits filed by local governments seeking damages for coastal damage done by oil and gas companies is heading to the Senate floor…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor Edwards is expected to announce at his Monday afternoon press conference at the Capitol whether or not the statewide stay at home order will be lifted May 15th. A resolution is headed to the House floor that would strip the Governor of his authority to enforce the order if he further extends the order.

1030 AM LRN News

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would prevent local governments from pursuing coastal land loss lawsuits against oil and gas companies. There are dozens of lawsuits in the court system from local governments seeking money for coastal damages done by oil and gas companies. Several local leaders testified against the legislation. Jefferson Parish council member Scott Walker…

Cut 7 (07) “.gas responsible”

Proponents of the bill say the lawsuits are frivolous and only the Governor and Attorney General should have the authority to sue companies for coastal damage.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association expects a busy Mother’s Day for members despite coronavirus restrictions. LRA President Stan Harris says his is one of, if not the biggest day for the industry, and recommends if you are ordering take out for Mother’s Day, place your order now.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…afternoon”

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says having the data presented in plain language helps citizens set expectations of what the Governor may do in the next phase.

Cut 12 (07) “…he might make.”

The web portal for tracking the data can be found at PARLouisiana.org.

Congressman Garret Graves calls a 15 million dollar federal relief payment for Louisiana fisheries insulting. Graves says they’re requesting an investigation into what he calls the “bogus” payments to states that didn’t need them that drained the 300 million dollar fund dry before Louisiana could be properly paid, and hopefully, we can be compensated through other ways.

Cut 15 (09)“Louisiana.”

930 AM LRN News

A controversial bill that could block local governments from suing oil and gas companies for damages to their coastline advances to the full Senate.  Out of all of the lawsuits that have been filed, only one has been tentatively settled. Freeport McMoRan has agreed to pay 100-million dollars to repair coastal damages. St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis can’t believe that the state now wants to take that money away

Cut 8 (11) “…my mind”

The legislation passed four to three.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has pushed for local control when it comes to reopening the economy, but in this case, she says it’s appropriate for the state to manage the coast…

Cut 9 (10) “…not right”

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says looking at the past two weeks of data, the state as a whole appears to have plateaued metrics, but one region continues to see growth.

Cut 11 (11) “…seen an increase.”

Congressman Garret Graves calls a 15 million dollar federal relief payment for Louisiana fisheries insulting. Graves says the value of our fisheries dwarfs that of other states who received substantially bigger payouts under the CARES Act.

Cut 14 (13) “…insult”

Washington received 50 million, California 18 million, and Florida 23 million. 

830 AM LRN News

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would prevent local governments from pursuing coastal land loss lawsuits against oil and gas companies. Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens says his legislation clarifies who has the authority to pursue such litigation and that’s the governor and attorney general.

Cut 6 (09) “…coastal lawsuit.”

There are dozens of lawsuits in the court system from local governments seeking money for coastal damages done by oil and gas companies.

Congressman Garret Graves calls a 15 million dollar federal relief payment for Louisiana fisheries insulting. The money came from a 300 million dollar pot established to help offset the economic impact of the pandemic on fisheries funding. Graves says it’s a lowball payment for the Sportsman’s Paradise…

Cut 13 (09) “…numbers” 

Mother’s Day is typically one of the busiest days for the restaurant industry and the Louisiana Restaurant Association says they expect take out business to be booming Sunday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The state is looking to hire up to 700 people to do contact tracing as part of Louisiana’s plan to further restrict the spread of coronavirus. Contact tracers will be tasked with interviewing people who have tested positive to identify any potential people they may have infected, and then contacting those potential infected individuals to ask them to quarantine. Contact tracers will be trained by LSU.

730 AM LRN News

A proposal to end lawsuits filed by local governments seeking damages for coastal damage done by oil and gas companies is heading to the Senate floor…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards, brother of Governor John Bel Edwards, files a lawsuit against China on the claim that the coronavirus originated in a Wuhan based Government lab. Edwards is seeking damages stemming from a loss of revenue for his department due to the pandemic.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association expects a busy Mother’s Day for members despite coronavirus restrictions. LRA President Stan Harris says this is one of, if not the biggest day for the industry, and while you can’t eat in, you can certainly take out…

Cut 3 (11)  “experience”  

Outdoor eating with no service is allowed and Harris says while only four percent of restaurants are permitted for patio dining many parishes have allowed non-permitted businesses to set out some tables.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says the data leads to public confidence and restored hope in combatting the virus.

Cut 10 (09) “…and economic outcome.”

The tool shows the only area with case growth is the Northshore.

5:30 PM Newscast

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would prevent local governments from pursuing coastal land loss lawsuits against oil and gas companies. Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens says his legislation clarifies who has the authority to pursue such litigation and that’s the governor and attorney general…
Cut 6 (09) “…coastal lawsuit.”
There are dozens of lawsuits in the court system from local governments seeking money for coastal damages done by oil and gas companies.
The Louisiana Restaurant Association expects a busy Mother’s Day for members despite coronavirus restrictions shuttering indoor dining. LRA President Stan Harris says this is one of, if not the biggest day for the industry, and while you can’t eat in, you can certainly take out…
Cut 3 (11)  “experience”  
Harris says if ordering for Mother’s Day you need to place your order today.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says the data leads to public confidence and restored hope in combatting the virus.

Cut 10 (09) “…and economic outcome.”

The web portal for tracking the data can be found at PARLouisiana.org.
Congressman Garret Graves calls a 15 million dollar federal relief payment for Louisiana fisheries insulting. The money came from a 300 million dollar pot established to help offset the economic impact of the pandemic on fisheries funding. Graves says the value of our fisheries dwarfs that of other states who received substantially bigger payouts under the CARES Act.
Cut 14 (13) “…insult”

4:30 LRN Newscast May 8

COVID-19 Case numbers increased by 203 today for a total of 30,855 and fatalities up by 19 to 2,154. The lowest increase since the Stay in Shelter Order went into effect March 23rd.  One of the latest coronavirus-related deaths is a child under the age of 10. Governor Edwards says the victim had a compromised immune system.

Louisiana is only given 15 million dollars for fisheries relief under the CARES Act out of the 300-million-dollar pot allocated. Congressman Garret Graves says it’s an insult and a lowball payment for the Sportsman’s Paradise…

Cut 13, 9 seconds, numbers.

Louisiana’s fishing economy has seen collapses in prices of crawfish, shrimp, and other water-based foods.

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would prevent local governments from pursuing coastal land loss lawsuits against oil and gas companies. There are dozens of lawsuits in the court system from local governments seeking money for coastal damages done by oil and gas companies. Several local leaders testified against the legislation. Jefferson Parish council member Scott Walker…

Cut 7 (07) “.gas responsible”

The Louisiana Restaurant Association expects a busy Mother’s Day for members despite coronavirus restrictions. LRA President Stan Harris says while you can’t eat in, you can certainly take out. So, if you are picking up but aren’t serving it immediately, he says make sure you can keep everything at the proper temperature to maintain quality.

Cut 5 (11)  “…little bit.”

2:30 LRN Newscast May 8

COVID-19 Case numbers increased by 203 today for a total of 30,855 and fatalities up by 19 to 2,154. The lowest increase since the Stay in Shelter Order went into effect March 23rd.  Hospitalizations decreased by 73 to 1,359.

A proposal to end lawsuits filed by local governments seeking damages for coastal damage done by oil and gas companies is heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has more on this controversial legislation…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana Restaurant Association expects a busy Mother’s Day for members despite coronavirus restrictions. LRA President Stan Harris recommends if you are ordering take out for Sunday, place your order now.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…afternoon”

Harris says Mother’s Days is one of, if not the biggest day for the industry, and while you can’t eat in this year, you can certainly take out.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says having the data presented in plain language helps citizens set expectations of what the Governor may do in the next phase.

Cut 12 (07) “…he might make.”

The web portal for tracking the data can be found at PARLouisiana.org. On Monday, the governor is expected to announce whether the state can enter phase one of opening the economy on May 16th.

1:30 PM Newscast

A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would prevent local governments from pursuing coastal land loss lawsuits against oil and gas companies. There are dozens of lawsuits in the court system from local governments seeking money for coastal damages done by oil and gas companies. Several local leaders testified against the legislation. Jefferson Parish council member Scott Walker…

Cut 7 (07) “.gas responsible”

The controversial legislation received approval from the Senate Natural Resources Committee on a four-three vote. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has pushed for local control when it comes to reopening the economy, but in this case, she says it’s appropriate for the state to manage the coast…
Cut 9 (10) “…not right”
Opponents of the legislation argue the state doesn’t have financial resources to go after oil and gas companies for damaging the coast.

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says the data leads to public confidence and restored hope in combatting the virus.

Cut 10 (09) “…and economic outcome.”

The web portal for tracking the data can be found at PARLouisiana.org.
Congressman Garret Graves calls a 15 million dollar federal relief payment for Louisiana fisheries insulting. The money came from a 300 million dollar pot established to help offset the economic impact of the pandemic on fisheries funding. Graves says the value of our fisheries dwarfs that of other states who received substantially bigger payouts under the CARES Act.
Cut 14 (13) “…insult”

1230 PM LRN News

Statewide only 19 new COVID deaths are being reported today and 203 new confirmed positive tests as numbers appear to be declining in most regions. Hospitalizations saw a significant decrease and ventilator use also declined. In the last seven days Louisiana has reported 227 new COVID deaths, the lowest seven day total in over a month.

Despite statewide decreases a Public Affairs Research Council online tool shows the Northshore region is still seeing case growth…

Cut 11 (10) “…Northshore.”

That’s PAR President Robert Travis Scott.

Louisiana is only given 15 million dollars for fisheries relief under the CARES Act out of the 300 million dollar pot allocated. Congressman Garret Graves says it’s an insult.

Cut 13, 9 seconds, numbers.

Mother’s Day is typically one of the busiest days for the restaurant industry and the Louisiana Restaurant Association says they expect take out business to be booming Sunday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”