Following two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that as of now provides enough money to fully fund most state services at current levels. The finalizing of a compromise 4.45 percent sales tax last night has many people, including Political Analyst Clancy DuBos, relived to be past the constant threats of deep cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 6 (12)  “permanent fix.”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover.

cut 9 (12)  “…between 100 to 110.”

The legislature has appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says he trusts that, if the new facility gets fully funded, they’ll be able to show the same positive results that have been produced in other states.

Cut 5  (10) “manner.”

Following a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  The St. Landry Parish convenience store has produced other big lottery winners in recent months and word has spread.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail, says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.

Cut 12 (08)   “…somebody got lucky again.”

After two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that as of now provides enough money to fully fund most state services at their current levels. Most of the tax plan has a seven-year sunset, setting up another round of budget battles in 2025, unless a permanent tax reform plan can be enacted. There’s growing interest in a constitutional convention to facilitate that reform, but Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says many opponents are worried about just who would run the convention.

cut 8 (11) “for everybody”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover. Keim does recommend to utilize caution with such intense heat in the area.
Cut 11 (07) “…just a bit”

The legislature’s decision to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax will provide funding to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  This particular convenience store has produced other big winners in recent months and news of the luck of the establishment appears to have gotten around.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.  The ticket sold over the weekend has yet to be claimed.  Sohail explains that although this particular winner didn’t match up all the numbers with the recent drawing, it was enough to land the sizable prize.
Cut 13 (10) “…with a power play.” 

The newly passed budget and tax plan has Louisianans taking stock of the two brutal years of fiscal uncertainty that led to last night’s compromise deal. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A man and woman are in critical condition after being found shot on the side of I-55 in the Amite area.  First responders were dispatched for a welfare check and found the two wounded by a vehicle on I-55 North.  The man was airlifted to the hospital and the woman was taken by ambulance.  The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting.

The legislature has appropriated four-million dollars to begin operating a new juvenile justice facility in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and emphasize rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche (Bush) says the new location will build on modern therapeutic research that shows better outcomes for kids who get a good education while being treated, and receive specialized care.

Cut 4  (09) “the dorm.”

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  The St. Landry Parish store has produced other big winners in recent months.  Among those that have found luck there is The 1 Stop store owner himself, Nasir Sohail, who in December won $350,000 playing the Louisiana Lottery.  He is also expecting a kickback from this most recent win at his store.

Cut 14 (08)  “…still getting lucky.”

After two years and seven special sessions, the state now has a path forward on revenue that as of now provides enough money to fully fund most state services at their current levels. The finalizing of a compromise 4.45 percent sales tax last night has many people, including Political Analyst Clancy DuBos, relived to be past the constant threats of deep cuts to higher ed and healthcare.

Cut 6 (12)  “permanent fix.”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover. Keim does recommend to utilize caution with such intense heat in the area.
Cut 11 (07) “…just a bit”

The budget approved last night in the legislature OK’d four million dollars to get a new juvenile justice facility up and running in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and utilize the Missouri Model that emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says he trusts that if the new facility gets fully funded, they’ll be able to show the same positive results that have been produced in other states.
Cut 5  (10) “manner.”
High school diploma programs, and vocational training will be offered.

After a stop at a gas station in Grand Coteau this weekend, someone is now $2 million richer.  This particular convenience store has produced other big winners in recent months and news of the luck of the establishment appears to have gotten around.  The 1 Stop store owner, Nasir Sohail says more people are showing up at his business with high hopes.  The ticket sold over the weekend has yet to be claimed.  Sohail explains that although this particular winner didn’t match up all the numbers with the recent drawing, it was enough to land the sizable prize.
Cut 13 (10) “…with a power play.” 

With a new fiscal year set to begin on Saturday, state lawmakers finally agreed on a sales tax plan that prevents Louisiana from going over the fiscal cliff, which would have resulted in deep cuts to colleges, TOPS and public safety programs. Governor John Bel Edwards says he will sign the measure that renews .45 percent of an expiring one-cent sales tax…

cut 16 (12) “…divides us”

Summer is back with a vengeance as State Climatologist Barry Keim tells us we can expect higher than normal temperatures through the week due to a high pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico which will see higher humidity levels and reduced cloud cover.

cut 9 (12)  “…between 100 to 110.”

The budget approved last night in the legislature OK’d four million dollars to get a new juvenile justice facility up and running in Bunkie. Once fully funded at 12 million dollars, the site will host 72 beds, and utilize the Missouri Model that emphasizes rehabilitation methods to deal with young offenders. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says it provides relief to an overburdened system.

Cut 3 (12) “those facilities.”

The facility will house juvenile offenders who have been classified as a threat to the community, and thus are not eligible for community based rehabilitation.

A final budget is in that fully funds higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS, while instituting a 4.45 percent sales tax. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The news that the budget deal was on the way to the governor’s desk garnered quite the reaction.

Cut 30…

That’s the sound of a video posted to Twitter by UL System President Jim Henderson, of the excitement from Girls State, a summer leadership and citizenship program made up of high school juniors, upon hearing the news of TOPS and Higher Ed remain fully funded.

President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani is in Lafayette today to host a fundraiser for Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory, who is seeking to unseat GOP Representative Clay Higgins this fall. Meanwhile, President Trump endorsed Higgins. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a bizarre circumstance…

Cut 4  (07) “…anything like this.”

A group of Republican US Senators will head to Russia this week, including Louisiana’s John Kennedy.  Kennedy says he wants to establish some rapport with high-ranking government officials and he hopes one of those meetings will include Russian President Valdimir Putin.  Kennedy says he also intends to discuss the allegations of election interference in the US and other countries through the use of social media, a claim he says Russian denies.

Cut 9 (12)  “…stop it.”

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani continues his support of Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory today in Lafayette. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 1 (29)  I’m Michael Farrar.“

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A group of US Senators is heading to Russia this week, including Senator John Kennedy.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

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A final budget is in that fully funds higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS, while instituting a 4.45 percent sales tax. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani is in Lafayette today to host a fundraiser for Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory, who is seeking to unseat GOP Representative Clay Higgins this fall. Meanwhile, President Trump endorsed Higgins. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a bizarre circumstance…

Cut 4  (07) “…anything like this.”

Giuliani is likely supporting Guillory, because his girlfriend, Jennifer LeBlanc, is the campaign finance chair for Guillory’s campaign. But Pinsonat says Giuliani should have thought twice before participating in this fundraiser…

Cut 5  (08)  “…in Acadiana.”

Pinsonat says President Trump’s endorsement of Higgins will lead to more votes for the incumbent Congressman than Giuliani’s fundraising efforts for Guillory…

Cut 6 (13) “…called weird.”

___________________________________________________

A group of Republican US Senators will head to Russia this week, including Louisiana’s John Kennedy.  Kennedy says he wants to establish some rapport with high-ranking government officials and he hopes one of those meetings will include Russian President Valdimir Putin.

Cut 7 (10)  “…Russian economy.”

Kennedy says he’s heard the Russian economy is in shambles, because they are spending their money on Syria and weaponry. The senator says this will be a trip of diplomacy, as he plans to discuss interests shared by both nations.

Cut 8 (06)  “…our common problems.”

Kennedy says he also intends to discuss the allegations of election interference in the US and other countries through the use of social media, a claim he says Russian denies.

Cut 9 (12)  “…stop it.”

______________________________________________

A budget deal is on its way to the governor’s desk that fully funds higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS, and sets the state’s sales tax to 4.45 percent. The bill raises 466 million dollars and is set to expire in 2025. Mandeville Senator and Republican Jack Donahue, the bill’s cosponsor, says it’s the compromise the legislature needed to get a deal out the door.

Cut 10 (11)   “this state.”

The budget uses 46 million dollars in one time BP money, removes some tax exemptions, expands the Earned Income Tax Credit, and includes cuts to the Department of Corrections.

The final vote in the Senate was 33 to 6, with dissension from fiscal conservatives who’ve opposed renewing any of the billion dollars in taxes that were set to expire at the end of the month, that previously threatened to wreck many state services. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature and governor did not do enough to keep the budget in check.

Cut 11 (12) “current year.”

The Northshore Republican says Louisiana need more budget cuts, not taxes. She blamed Governor John Bel Edwards resistance to budget transparency bills, and his decision to expand the Medicaid program for the last two years of fiscal uncertainty.

Cut 12 (11) “priorities”

The compromise legislation has been criticized for failing to achieve permanent structural tax reform, and relying on sales taxes that many legislators say hit the working class hardest. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the legislature had two years to find a better way forward and failed to do so.

Cut 13 (11)  “reform bills.” 

____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards celebrated the passage of the budget bill at the end of a grueling start to the year that saw four total sessions needed to solve the state’s impending fiscal cliff that’s been at the center of state politics since short term taxes were passed two years ago. Edwards congratulated lawmakers on keeping healthcare and education off the chopping block.

Senate leaders have proposed a way for cuts not to occur if the fiscal cliff arrives without a sales bill passing in this third special session. Jeff Palermo has more

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Louisiana House does continue to struggle to reach an agreement on renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax that’s needed in order to avoid cuts to state services. A proposal to renew half a cent failed last night, just 10 votes short of the 70 votes needed for passage to the Senate. The third special session will wrap up by Wednesday with the fiscal cliff arriving June 30^th.

The statewide average for regular gasoline is $2.59, which is a few cents lower than last week. But AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redmond anticipates the price at the pump to go up…
Cut 10 (13) “…going back up.”
He says the increase could be anywhere from five to ten-cents.

The U-S House has passed a Farm Bill that contains stricter requirements for food stamps. Republican Ralph Abraham says able bodied adults would have to either work or participate in a job training program for 20 hours per week to remain eligible for food stamps…
cut 8(12) “….this training”
The Senate still has to sign off on this controversial change.

The Louisiana House is struggling to reach an agreement on renewing a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax that’s needed in order to avoid cuts to state services. A proposal to renew half a cent failed by 10 votes last night. So does the most recent vote come off as a failure? LA-Politics-dot-com Publisher Jeremy Alford says not necessarily…
cut 15 (12) “…wait and see”
Alford says the governor and Democrats prefer the half-a-cent sales tax renewal, while Republicans are digging in at four-tenths of a cent.

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A Slidell couple is in jail facing multiple charges for drugs and dog fighting following an investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.  The Narcotics Task Force executed a search warrant on the residence of the Michael Ratcliff and Antinette Johnson, finding cocaine, marijuana & pills.  Animal Services seized fifteen dogs from the property.  Seven children were also present in the home.

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A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued until 7PM tonight for a large portion of north and central Louisiana.  Ouachita, Tansas, East Carroll, Morehouse, and Webster are among the parishes in the watch box.

—

While the Senate is continuing to wait on passage from the House for a solution to the upcoming fiscal cliff, Senate President John Alario says a “plan b” has been set in place in the event a gridlock continues through the close of the special session.  Alario says this is definitely not an ultimate fix to the budget issue and it would likely just continue the tax debate into the future.

Cut 5 (11) “…permanent solution at all.”

The House failed to approve a proposal to renew a half cent of an expiring one cent sales tax as a way to generate revenue to avoid cuts to state services.  The measure received sixty votes, but it needs seventy in order to receive passage and head to the Senate.  The legislation can be brought up for reconsideration.  And it can be amended to lower the amount that is renewed.  But time is ticking as the special session is set to end Wednesday.

The US Supreme Court ruled today that state can go after online retailers for sales taxes on purchases made by consumers. Jeff Palermo ahs the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
Louisiana no longer holds the distinction as the prison capital of the nation. According to the latest data made public by the Advocate Newspaper, Oklahoma incarcerates more people per 100-thousand residents than Louisiana. When running for office, Governor Edwards promised to reduce the state’s prison population and last year the legislature approved 10 criminal justice reform bills to jump-start the process.
Cut 10 (03) “…better direction.”
Louisiana’s incarceration rate remains well above the national average.

The Mighty Lions of Lafayette High School are working out in their new weight room today, thanks to a generous donation by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal who helped fund the project that cost a little more than $40,000. Football coach Rob Pool believes Shaq’s donation sparked other contributions to get the weight room put together. Without his help, it would have been another two years before they could have raised the necessary money.
Cut 7 (10) “…helped as well.”
O’Neal’s donation was part of South Louisiana Giving Day.