Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry of abusing legislative rules to tank an effort to legalize sports betting…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces the Morganza Spillways’ gates on the Mississippi River will not begin opening Thursday as expected, but will be pushed back to Sunday. This is the second delay for the opening and is being blame is being put on changes in the weather forecast.

The legislative battle over whether Louisiana should have a minimum age to get married continues. An amendment was introduced that would preserve the current lack of minimum age, but would require 16 and 17-year-olds have parental consent for marriage and judicial review for younger individuals.  It’s an amendment that was met with opposition by Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.
Cut 4 (10) “…really voting on.” 
The conference committee will be a select group of House and Senate members that will attempt to set a minimum age for marriage that can receive approval before the legislative session ends on Thursday night.

On a 58-29 vote, the House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The legislation also prohibits a food being called a veggie meat patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Crowley Representative John Stefanski is a co-author of the bill

Cut 9 (12) “….what it is”

The House gives final passage to a school financial plan with a 103-0 vote, resulting in a $1000 pay raise for teachers, $500 for support workers, and $39 million in block grant funding. The legislation raises the public school budget by $140 million for the next school year.
Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing the House Appropriations Chairman of using dirty legislative tricks to destroy an effort to legalize sports betting. Martiny slammed Chairman Cameron Henry for allegedly “hiding out”, which prevented the vote on sports betting from taking place. Martiny says Henry abused legislative rules to advance his agenda.

Cut 13 (12) “ things done” 

Earlier today Martiny amended a fantasy sports regulation bill to include sports gambling, but the combined bill failed.

The House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The legislation also prohibits a food being called a veggie meat patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee was one of the more two dozen House members who voted against the bill.

Cut 11 (11) “…harder to access.”

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal still needs  House approval. The legislation calls for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the product and perform routine tests of crops to ensure their THC level, a hallucinogenic chemical, is not above .03 percent. Franklin Senator Bret Allain…

Cut 8 (11) “…marijuana.”

A state regulatory plan for production must be submitted to the USDA by November 1^st.

Industrial hemp and CBD oil legalization clears the Senate and is headed back to the House with amendments. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry of abusing legislative rules to tank an effort to legalize sports betting…

cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The legislative battle over whether Louisiana should have a minimum age to get married continues. Legislators are pushing to set the minimum age at 17. Several GOP lawmakers oppose, including Houma Representative Beryl Amadee, who says she met her husband in their teenage years.

Cut 3 (09) “…have allowed it.”

An amendment was introduced that would preserve the lack of minimum age, but would require 16 and 17-year-olds have parental consent for marriage and judicial review for younger individuals.  It’s an amendment that was met with opposition by Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.

Cut 4 (10) “…really voting on.” 

Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says she’s for sending the bill to a conference committee prior to advancing the measure any further.

Cut 5 (13) “…with this bill.”

The conference committee will be a select group of House and Senate members that will attempt to set a minimum age for marriage that can receive approval before the legislative session ends on Thursday night.

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The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal still needs  House approval. Franklin Senator Bret Allain says farmers are itching to grow hemp, as the prices for rice, cotton, and soybeans are currently low.

Cut 6 (11) “…themselves.”

Allain says over 30 states have, and are in the process of legalizing the plant’s production after a federal ruling that allowed state regulated crops.

Hemp proponents say the plant, and it’s derivatives, can be found in thousands of different products. Allain noted two of the most popular applications…

Cut 7 (06) “…oil.”

The first draft of the Declaration of Independence, and the Guttenberg Bible are thought to have been written on hemp paper.

The legislation calls for the Department of Agriculture to regulate the product and perform routine tests of crops to ensure their THC level, a hallucinogenic chemical, is not above .03 percent.

Cut 8 (11) “…marijuana.”

A state regulatory plan for production must be submitted to the USDA by November 1^st.

____________________

On a 58-29 vote, the House approves a bill that prohibits Louisiana food manufacturers from labeling a food cauliflower rice if it doesn’t contain rice. The legislation also prohibits a food being called a veggie meat patty, if it doesn’t contain meat. Crowley Representative John Stefanski is a co-author of the bill

Cut 9 (12) “….what it is”

Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson voted for the bill because she says the labeling is confusing

Cut 10 (10) “…alternative products.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee was one of the more two dozen House members who voted against the bill. Amedee doesn’t see how consumers could be confused by a product called cauliflower rice and this legislation could limit certain products that consumers are looking for

Cut 11 (11) “…harder to access.”

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Metairie Senator Danny Martiny is accusing the House Appropriations Chairman of using dirty legislative tricks to destroy an effort to legalize sports betting.

Martiny says he had votes to pass it on the bill House floor, but for that to happen the chairman of the committee where the bill was killed must be present, and…

cut 12(11)   “…about””

A call to Chairman Henry on the story has not been returned.

Martiny slammed Chairman Cameron Henry for allegedly “hiding out”, which prevented the vote on sports betting from taking place. Martiny says Henry abused legislative rules to advance his agenda.

Cut 13 (12) “ things done” 

Henry opposes the legalization of sports betting.

Earlier today Martiny amended a fantasy sports regulation bill to include sports gambling, but the combined bill failed amid concern from legislators like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt…

Cut 14 (12) “…conscience” 

Sports betting has been revived as language to legalize sports betting in LA has been attached to the fantasy sports regulation bill. The Senate approved the move, but the House is expected to reject. A conference committee will decide if the two issues should be on the same bill,
The legislative battle over a bill addressing the minimum age for marriage continues.  Currently, there is no age floor in Louisiana in order to get married.  GOP lawmakers continue their push against the measure, including Houma Representative Beryl Amadee, who says she met her husband in their teenage years.
Cut 3 (09) “…have allowed it.”
An amendment was introduced that would preserve the lack of minimum age, but would require 16 and 17-year-olds have parental consent for marriage and judicial review for younger individuals.  It’s an amendment that was met with opposition by Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith.

Cut 4 (10) “…really voting on.” 

The Senate passes legislation legalizing industrial hemp production and CBD oil, but the upper chamber packed it with new amendments, so the proposal heads back to the House.

Franklin Senator Bret Allain says farmers are itching to get their hands on the product, as the prices of common Louisiana commodities like rice, cotton, and soybeans are currently low.

Cut 6 (11) “…themselves.”

Allain says over 30 states have, and are in the process of legalizing the plant’s production after a federal ruling that allowed state regulated crops.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s proposal banning handheld cellphone use while driving is up for a critical vote in a Senate committee today…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A bill to bring Uber and Lyft ride sharing services to Alexandria and rural areas is close to final legislative passage. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says it’s important for central Louisiana…

Cut 15 (11) “…60 or 70 miles”

Teachers may not know the exact raise they’ll get, but judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for additional raises over the next five years as a result of bill that has received final legislative passage. Erath Representative Blake Miguez grilled Houma Representative Tanner Magee over reports that judges received pay raises from 2013-2017 while the state budget was in chaos. Magee countered…

Cut 11 (12) “…system.”

The raise will cost 1.8 million in the first year and could grow to 9.5 million if the State Supreme Court approves raises in each of the next five years.

AAA is warning drivers to be extra cautious on the roads this summer as teens off from school pack the roadways. Spokesperson Don Redman now is the time to give those kids good practices…

Cut 8 (07) “…watching”

Governor Edwards proposal to provide teachers with a one-thousand dollar pay raise and also provide public schools with 39-million dollars in block grant funding received approval from a key committee in the House. The Appropriations Committee okayed the proposal, despite concerns it may cause funding problems in future years. The full House is expected to debate the measure today.

Judges are the governor’s signature away from a 2.5 percent pay raise next year, with potential for additional pay raises for the next five years. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (31) “..governor”

House approved legislation banning handheld cellphone use while behind the wheel goes before a Senate committee as it tries to receive final approval in the final week of the regular session. Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval says Georgia has a similar law as his bill and it has prevented fatalities…
cut 6 (10) “…the driving public”
Opponents say why just focus on one particular distraction when it comes to distractions in a vehicle.

The motorist club Triple-A says we have entered the 100 deadliest days. Over the past five years, 35-hundred teenagers nationwide have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the 100 deadliest days. AAA’s Don Redman says parents should try to limit the number of people in a vehicle when a teen is behind wheel…
cutr 9 (08) “….crash”

It looks like the Governor’s education budget and teacher pay raises are back on track now that a house committee has passed the measure which includes the $39 million dollar increase in block grant money for school districts. Before House Republicans opposed the block grant funds for K-12.

The Governor’s budget would give pay raises to teachers and school support workers, while also increasing discretionary spending to K-12 school districts. The measure now needs full House approval and the session end on Thursday.

Judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for more raises over the next five years as a result of bill that received final passage. Despite ultimately voting for it, Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is frustrated that Louisiana chases the southern regional average for state salaries for judges, but not for vital services.

Cut 10 (09) “…salaries.”

A bill to prohibit handheld cellphone use will be heard in Senate Judiciary Committee C today. Opponents to Beaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill say there are other distractions like eating. But Huval says statistics show cell phone use is a factor in many accidents.

Cut 5 (11) “…causing multiple accidents.”

The bill requires full Senate approval before the session ends Thursday.

AAA estimates there will be a 17 percent increase in teen driver fatalities on the road over roughly the next 100 days as summer means more teens on the road.

Cut 2 (31) “…Matt Doyle.” 

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s proposal banning handheld cellphone use while driving is up for a critical vote in a Senate committee this morning…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It is summer and more teens are on the road. AAA Spokesperson Don Redman says 3,500 drivers nationwide have died in wrecks with teens in a five-year period during the “100 Deadliest Days” between 2013 and 2017.

Cut 7 (10) “…as well”

52 percent of teen drivers report that they operate their cellphone while behind the wheel.

Uber and Lyft rideshare services are getting closer to being expanded in throughout the state this legislative session. The bill to allow Alexandria and rural areas to have the service passed the Senate 34 to 1. Kenner Republican Danny Martiny, was the one vote in opposition who questioned why Lyft and Uber would not be regulated by the Public Service Commission.

Cut 14 (10) “…go there”

The measure still needs House approval of the Senate changes to the bill and it’s predicted to pass.

Inspirational chef, civil rights leader and New Orleans legend Leah Chase passed away on Saturday. The 96-year old owner of Dooky Chase Restaurant was surrounded by family when she died at the age of 96. Several Louisiana leaders have issued quotes in tribute to Chase, among them Governor Edwards who said she lead a remarkable life and was a trailblazing entrepreneur who believed in treating everyone with dignity and respect.  Funeral arrangements are pending.

A bill prohibiting handheld use of cellphones while behind the wheel has cleared the House and is being heard in Senate Judiciary Committee C today. It will also need full Senate approval before the session ends on Thursday. Last year, a similar effort got hung up, but Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval  is confident this year will be different.

Cut 4 (08) “…last year.”

A bill to bring Uber and Lyft ride sharing services to Alexandria and rural areas is close to final legislative passage. The proposal died in the Senate the last two years, but over the weekend the upper chamber approved the measure 34-to-1. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau  says this legislation can help reduce drunk driving deaths among college students

Cut 13 (08) “…do it.”

Judges will see a 2.5 percent pay raise on July 1st, with potential for additional raises over the next five years. Erath Representative Blake Miguez had a testy exchange with Houma Representative Tanner Magee about the judicial pay raises. Miguez stated it isn’t fair that his constituents have taken years of pay cuts while judge’s salaries have continued to expand. Magee says that’s just how our government works right now.

Cut 12 (12) “five years.”

The House ultimately voted 87-3 in favor of the bill. The LSU Tigers won their 24^th Regional title last night against Southern Miss and advance in the NCAA Baseball tournament. The Tigers will face FSU at the Box this weekend for a three game series.

And LSU Advances in the NCAA Tournament after beating Southern Miss.

The controversy surrounding the bill that bans fetal heartbeat abortions spilled into budget discussions on the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Police are investing an arson and vandalism case at a Lake Charles church that occurred May 22^nd. The church security camera caught a suspect walking up to the church with a five gallon bucket of some kind of liquid, and filmed them as they attempted to kick in the glass door. After failing to do so, the suspect kicks in a side window, tosses the liquid in, and follows it up by throwing items he lit on fire on the liquid. A vehicle has also been caught on film. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lake Charles Police.

The House Ag Committee advances a Senate-approved bill that would prohibit Louisiana manufacturers from labeling foods such as of cauliflower rice as rice when it doesn’t contain rice. 

Opponents of the bill say it will also be a hindrance to manufacturers who specialize in producing plant-based meat imitation products, but Colfax Representative Terry Brown says that is not the case.

Cut 7 (06) “…this bill does.”

Spokesperson for the plant-based meat producer Impossible Foods, Tyler Jameson says their company would never trick consumers into thinking they are eating meat from livestock, adding the bill would limit the right to free speech.

Cut 8 (08) “…won’t buy it.”

The bill moved forward without any objecting votes.