Lieutenant governors from around the nation are converging in New Orleans for a three-day summit. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (28) I’m Kevin Barnhart.“
Since 2016, the state legislature has battled huge budget deficits, but the Edwards’ administration now says we can look forward to financial stability over the next seven years. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will give the state a stable revenue source.
Cut 7 (12) “going to look like”

Most state agencies survived the special session without a cut, but the Department of Corrections was not so lucky. Construction and repair projects were put off once again, leading to concerns from department officials that the facilities used to house inmates could be running low on time. Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says they got hit pretty hard at the last second.
Cut 13 (07) “that sense”
The Revenue estimating conference modified the state’s revenue forecast to reflect the nearly 500 million dollars in taxes that the legislature approved in the two special sessions this month. The 29.9 billion dollar budget goes into effect July 1st.

Lieutenant governors from around the nation are converging in New Orleans for a three-day summit.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (28)  I’m Kevin Barnhart.“

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Governor Edward’s Administration is looking forward to what they say will be seven years of fiscal stability due to the passage of 4.45 percent sales tax. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The Department of Corrections will have to eat some cuts as a result of the budget compromise, but DOC workers will have one thing to look forward to: a pay increase. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Lieutenant governors from around the nation are converging in New Orleans for a three day summit.  Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will welcome the annual 2018 meeting of the National Governors Association with opening remarks.  Among the topics being discussed, Nungesser says he intends on bringing attention to the dangers of cheaper, imported seafood.

Cut 4  (10) “…across the country.”

Among the other items up for discussion, Nungesser says it’s his goal to figure out ways for states to work together in marketing themselves to international visitors.

Cut 5  (10)  “…spend more money in America.”

With Louisiana’s history in the state’s handling of emergencies, Nungesser says he will be discussing the best practices in managing a crisis.

Cut 6 (13) “…be better prepared.”

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Since 2016, the state legislature has battled huge budget deficits, but the Edwards’ administration now says we can look forward to financial stability over the next seven years. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will give the state a stable revenue source.

Cut 7 (12)  “going to look like”

Dardenne says the new state sales tax rate of 4.45% along with the other revenues the state gets, should remain consistent.

Cut 8 (13)  “budget problems”

Many Republicans are concerned the state budget will keep growing because of the governor’s decision to expand the Medicaid program in 2016, but Dardenne says by having more people insured will result in better health outcomes, therefore reducing the overall cost of healthcare.

Cut 9 (10)  “in the state”

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A Jonesville man is under arrested after allegedly running over a 14-year-old girl who was taking out the trash in front of her house. The incident left Cadance Parker dead, and 23-year-old Earl Hancock locked in the Catahoula Parish Detention Center. State Police Spokesperson Master Trooper Scott Moreau:

Cut 10 (11)   “time later.”

Moreau says Hancock lost control, because of severe impairment in his ability to drive due to drugs and alcohol.

Cut 11 (12) “residence.”

The Master Trooper says Hancock has been charged with a litany of offenses.

Cut 12 (11) “no insurance “

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Most state agencies survived the special session without a cut, but the Department of Corrections was not so lucky. Construction and repair projects were put off once again, leading to concerns from department officials that the facilities used to house inmates could be running low on time. Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says they got hit pretty hard at the last second.

Cut 13 (07)  “that sense” 

LeBlanc says the state has not provided funding for new facilities in over ten years, which he says is bound to catch up with Louisiana sooner than later.

Following the discovery of 20-year-old girl dead in her home in Fordoche, her ex-boyfriend, 21 year old Eric Duhon Junior, is now in custody.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres credits the hard work of his team for a job well done.

Cut 5  (11) “…matter to rest.”
The man who struck and killed a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. 46-year-old Tracy Govan was found guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury in February. Govan’s Attorney, Louis Scott, says his client was not above the legal limit because two hours later he blew a .062 blood alcohol level.

Cut 10 (12) “.08″

The Pope has appointed a new Bishop to preside over the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Bishop Michael Duca will be transferred from Shreveport, where he’s been for the last ten years. With the recent rash of controversy plaguing officials throughout Catholicism, Duca says if something like that were to happen under his watch, he wouldn’t hide it.

Cut 16  (10) “immediatley.”

The year was 1985 when the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund, or BEEF, was started with just $500,000.  Now, that fund has wrangled in some utterly serious cash, over $50 million. The man credited with its start, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, who is a former school teacher, says BEEF has been successful cash cow in moving classrooms into the future.

Cut 7 (13)  “things here”

Following the discovery of 20-year-old girl dead in her home in Fordoche, her ex-boyfriend, 21 year old Eric Duhon Junior, is now in custody, charged with second-degree murder.  Madeline Falgout was discovered in the residence around 1045AM yesterday and officials believe the murder weapon was a baseball bat. Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says the motive is unclear.

Cut 4  (08) “…should have more.”

The year was 1985 when the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund, or BEEF, was started with just $500,000 from the yearly state tax revenue of Louisiana Downs. Now, that fund has grown to over $50 million, and the man credited with its start, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, recalls the time when then Governor Edwin Edwards, gave the green light for the fund.

Cut 6 (13)  “for classroom experience.”

The man who struck and killed a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. 46-year-old Tracy Govan was found guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury in February. Govan’s Attorney, Louis Scott, says it’s a shocking sentence considering his client’s clean record and the fact that the crime was an accident.

cut 9 (09)  “that nature”
The Pope has appointed a new Bishop to preside over the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Bishop Michael Duca will be transferred from Shreveport, where he’s been for the last ten years. He’s replacing Bishop Robert Muench, who’s held the position since 2002. Duca says he didn’t see it coming, but he’s looking forward to serving the people of Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (10)  “reservation.”

The traffic death of a Sterlington officer in 2016 has yielded a 15 year sentence for a 46-year-old Louisianan. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Following the discovery of 20-year-old girl dead in her home in Fordoche, her ex-boyfriend is now in custody.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says 21 year old Eric Duhon Junior was arrested last night and booked this morning, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Madeline Falgout.

Cut 3 (10) “…building our case.”

The year was 1985 when the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund, or BEEF, began with just $500,000 from the yearly state tax revenue of Louisiana Downs. Now, that fund has grown to over $50 million, and the man credited with its start, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell explains how BEEF got beefed up over the years.

cut 8 (12) “have $50 million”

The fiscal cliff is officially gone as the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized 500-million dollars in revenue that will be used to shield TOPS, public colleges and most state agencies from cuts after July 1st. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne led the meeting, one day after the governor signed a new sales tax bill into law…

Cut 12 (11)   “…we have.”

The fiscal cliff is officially gone as the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized 500-million dollars in revenue that will be used to shield TOPS, public colleges and most state agencies from cuts after July 1st. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne led the meeting, one day after the governor signed a new sales tax bill into law…

Cut 12 (11)   “…we have.”

Following the discovery of 20-year-old girl dead in her home in Fordoche, her ex-boyfriend is now in custody.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says 21 year old Eric Duhon Junior was arrested last night and booked this morning, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Madeline Falgout.

Cut 3 (10) “…building our case.”

Investigators say a family member discovered Falgout inside her home on yesterday.

The Bossier Educational Excellence Fund has grown to over $50 million. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

46-year-old Tracey Govan who struck and killed a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. Prosecutors say Govan was intoxicated, because two hours later he blew a .062 blood alcohol level, but Scott says thats not above the legal limit.

Cut 10 (12) “.08″

The Pope has appointed a new Bishop to preside over the Diocese of Baton Rouge. Bishop Michael Duca will be transferred from Shreveport, where he’s been for the last ten years. He’s replacing Bishop Robert Muench, who’s held the position since 2002. Duca says he didn’t see it coming, but he’s looking forward to serving the people of Baton Rouge.

Cut 14 (10)  “reservation.”

The man who struck and killed a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. 46-year-old Tracy Govan was found guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury in February. Govan’s Attorney, Louis Scott, says  it’s a gross over sentencing of his client, considering the sentences handed out for similar crimes in Judge Carl Sharp’s courtroom.

Cut 11 (08) “years”

The year was 1985 when the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund, or BEEF, was started with just $500,000 from the yearly state tax revenue of Louisiana Downs. Now, that fund has grown to over $50 million, and the man credited with its start, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says BEEF has been successful in filling needs for Bossier area classrooms.

Cut 7 (13)  “things here”

Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff Danial Edwards is now reporting that two people who were found on the interstate yesterday with gunshot wounds are in stable condition, but still critical. 35-year-old Sylvia Foxx and 44-year-old Shane Jones, both of Milwaukee were involved in what witnesses say was a murder-suicide attempt. Foxx was found with a gunshot wound to the head, Jones with a gunshot wound to the face. Jones could face charges of attempted second degree murder.

The fiscal cliff is officially gone as the Revenue Estimating Conference recognized 500-million dollars in revenue that will be used to shield TOPS, public colleges and most state agencies from cuts after July 1st. The REC heard from the state’s legislative economist and then Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne called for a vote to recognize the money…

Cut 13 (07) “…recognized.” 

Over three decades ago The Bossier Educational Excellence Fund was started with just $500,000 from the yearly state tax revenue of Louisiana Downs. Now, that fund has grown to over $50 million, and the man that’s credited with its start, Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, recalls the time when the then Governor, Edwin Edwards, gave the green light for the account.

Cut 6 (13)  “for classroom experience.”

Campbell estimates the fund continues to grow by about 2-3 million annually.

The man who struck and killed a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. Elahi was standing behind the fog line conducting a traffic stop when 46-year-old Tracy Govan’s vehicle crossed over the marker and struck three officers. Prosecutors say Govan was intoxicated, because two hours later he blew a .062 blood alcohol level, but Govan’s Attorney Louis Scott says that’s not over the limit.

Cut 10 (12) “.08″

And now commodities

Higher education is celebrating the passage of the budget and tax plan that saves universities and TOPS from further budget cuts. Without the passage of the 4.45 percent sales tax, TOPS was on the block for a 30 percent cut, with higher ed looking at tens of millions in reduced funding. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Hunter Reed says now that the system has stabilized funding, they can get to work building on their recent success and increasing the quality of education in the state.

Cut 6 (07) “education.”

Even with that tax reduction coming up July 1^st, economist from the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says residents still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation. Often it’s the local retailers that feel the biggest negative impact when it comes to the high sales tax rate.

Cut 8 (07)  “…sales tax areas.”

Following the discovery of 20-year-old girl dead in her home in Fordoche, her ex-boyfriend is now in custody.  Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff Bud Torres says 21 year old Eric Duhon Junior was arrest last night and booked this morning, charged with second-degree murder in the death of Madeline Falgout.

Cut 3 (10) “…building our case.”

Investigators say a family member discovered Falgout inside her home on Monday.  Duhon is being held in the parish jail.

The man who hit a Sterlington police officer, David Elahi with his car in 2016 for was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor in connection with the death of that officer. 46-year-old Tracy Govan was found guilty of vehicular homicide and vehicular negligent injury back in February. District Attorney Steve Tew, who tried the case, says he “hopes the gamily of the officer can now find a way to heal from this horrific tragedy. “

Govan blew a .0062 blood alcohol level two hours after the crash. The legal limit is .008.

Higher ed officials are welcoming the new budget that preserves university and TOPS funding. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Matt Doyle.“

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Even with the sales tax plan that will see the state sales tax rate go from 5 percent to 4.45 percent coming up July 1^st, Louisiana residents still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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GOP lawmakers who voted against the final tax bill are speaking out against the legislation that sets the sales tax at 4.45 percent. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Higher education is celebrating the passage of the budget and tax plan that saves universities and TOPS from further budget cuts. Without the passage of the 4.45 percent sales tax, TOPS was on the block for a 30 percent cut, with higher ed looking at tens of millions in reduced funding. Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Kim Reed says a mobilization of students helped push the bill over the finish line.

Cut 4  (09) “phone bank.”

TOPS once again avoided any structural changes, despite early session pushes to raise the academic bar for qualification. The solvency of the scholarship will likely continue to be an issue though, with record numbers of students now qualifying for the program, due to increased test scores in Louisiana high schools. Reed says that shouldn’t deter lawmakers from continuing funding.

Cut 5  (09)  “preparation.”

Reed says now that the system has stabilized funding, they can get to work building on their recent success and increasing the quality of education in the state.

Cut 6 (07) “education.”

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Even with the sales tax plan that will see the state sales tax rate go from 5 percent to 4.45 percent coming up July 1^st, economist from the Tax Foundation, Scott Drenkard, says residents still pay the most expensive sales tax rate in the nation.

Cut 7 (12)  “…ahead of Tennessee.”

Drenkard says often it’s the local retailers that feel the biggest negative impact when it comes to the high sales tax rate.

Cut 8 (07)  “…sales tax areas.”

While the sales tax rate being as high as it is in the state, Drenkard says Louisiana does have more desirable tax rates in other areas, such as property taxes and income taxes.

Cut 9 (13)  “…at six percent.”

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The sales tax bill that fully funds healthcare and higher ed passed with two thirds support, but those who voted nay are speaking out against the legislation that raises 466 million dollars and sets the sales tax rate at 4.45 percent. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh takes issue with the governor’s claim that it’s a tax cut, just because it means a half cent lower sales tax than Louisiana had last year.

Cut 10 (10)   “dice it.”

Seabaugh made headlines during the last special session when he filibustered a last second attempt to vote on a tax deal that reportedly would have passed, guaranteeing that another special session would be called.

The tax plan came a long way from February, when it had little to no support from Republican legislators, but many of the GOP caucus members who eventually backed the tax bill say they couldn’t let crucial state services get axed. Despite those public statements, Seabaugh believes many Republicans were strong armed, or bribed into supporting legislation that he says is a tax increase.

Cut 11 (11) “people off.”

More than half of the GOP legislative caucus supported the final tax bill.

Seabaugh says the Governor’s tax plan will end up running people out of the state.

Cut 12 (06) “thousand jobs”

The interview was conducted on a Shreveport radio station.

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A 20-year-old girl was found dead in her home in Fordoche, with investigators saying there appeared to be no forced entry. Madeline Falgout was discovered in the residence around 1045AM yesterday. The cause of death has not been officially determined, and Point Coupee Parish Sherriff Bud Torres says he suspects someone else was involved.

Cut 13 (07)  “foul play.” 

As of now, police suspect the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

No arrests have been made, nor are investigators sure what the motive for the crime may have been, but Torres says they may have narrowed down the list of suspects to people who were close to Falgout.