Louisiana will move into phase one of reopening of the economy on Friday, which means restaurants, churches, salons, and gyms can re-open. But not everything can re-open. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 9 (10) “..permits”
For the businesses that are allowed to re-open, they must do so at 25-percent capacity. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says operating at 25% of capacity is still a huge hurdle, and doesn’t believe employees should count against that number…
cut 13 (06) “….customers”
Starns also questions why casinos can re-open, but not spas. Businesses looking for more info can go to open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov.

Grocery shoppers have noticed some empty shelves since COVID-19, Brooke Thorington explains why that is…
cut 1 (30) “…Thorington”

The University of Louisiana system announces that its nine-member institutions plan to resume in-person instruction this fall. UL System President Jim Henderson says the University Experience is more than just attending class and they are optimistic with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts they can safely return to campus in August.

Restaurants, churches, gyms, casinos, hair salons and other nonessential businesses closed by the stay at home order will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity starting on Friday. Governor Edwards says Louisiana has done well in slowing down the spread of COVID–19, so it’s safe to loosen restrictions…
Cut 7 (07) “…protocols.”
Massage parlors, spas and tattoo parlors will remain closed. Also interior mall stores can only offer curbside services. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says why can casinos re-open, but not spas…
cut 14 (11) “…winners and losers”
The governor will wait until June 1st before deciding if the state can move into phase two.

Louisana Attorney General Jeff Landry has joined an 18-state effort that’s asking Congress to investigate China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry says there are many questions that need to be answered…
cut 12 (11) “…at the time”
There’s speculation the coronavirus was engineered in a lab in China, but many scientists do not believe that’s the case.

At the grocery store you have probably noticed some empty shelves since COVID-19. LSU Ag Center Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Louise Wicker says before the outbreak more than 50 percent of the food Americans’ consumed was from restaurants.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…were distributed.”
Wicker says there’s a greater demand for food for home consumption, the F-D-A has relaxed some of the nutritional labelling regulations to allow certain foods intended for the wholesale market to be sold in grocery stores.

Governor Edwards says the state will move into phase one of reopening of the economy on Friday, which means many businesses can re-open their doors at 25-percent capacity…
cut 8(12) “…this week”
The proclamation will be issued Thursday and the order is effective Friday. Businesses looking for more info can go to open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov.

Barbers, nonessential businesses, churches, gyms, anchor stores in malls, and nail salons can re-open on Friday. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack is glad to see Louisiana begin the process of getting back to work…
cut 15 (06) “…confidence back up”

Attorney General Jeff Landry wants to see a probe of the Chinese government’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry says it is time the House of Representatives put the same energy used in investigating the President, into focusing on something that is actually impacting the country.
Cut 10 (09) “…is still questionable.”
Landry is among 18 state AGs to co-sign a letter sent to Congressional leaders.

Many grocery stores are still struggling to keep up with consumer demand of certain foods. LSU Ag Center Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Louis Wicker says before the pandemic an average of 13-percent of our food dollar was spent at the grocery store and that’s all changed now. Wicker says you’ll notice that packaging might look different for certain foods…
cut 5 (10) “…use now”

Governor Edwards says starting Friday the state will move into phase one of the federal economic reopening plan. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says operating at 25% of capacity is still a huge hurdle and doesn’t believe employees should count against that number…
cut 13 (06) “…open to customers”

A staple for the dinner table is becoming hard to find as meat shortages are popping up at grocery stores and some fast-food restaurants. LSU Ag Center Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Doctor Louise Wicker says the meat shortage is the result of outbreaks of COVID-19 at meat processing plants, but she says there is meat available in frozen storage…
cut 6 (09) “…..the hoarding”
Restaurant executives and meat wholesalers say meat shortages and price increases could continue throughout the summer.

The University of Louisiana System says their nine campuses are planning for a return to face-to-face instruction this fall.

Governor Edwards announces the stay at home order will end Friday and the state will move into Phase One allowing for 25 percent capacity at businesses like restaurants, churches, and more.  Edwards says hair salons, nail salons, gyms, casinos, and movie theaters can also re-open…

Cut 14 (10) “…move forward”

The Revenue Estimating conference informed lawmakers Monday to expect a billion-dollar revenue shortfall for the next fiscal year’s budget. Tax collections have taken a significant hit as many businesses have been shuttered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says our condition may not improve soon either.

Cut 11 (15) “…one here.”

The state budget may be facing a historic cliff but some lawmakers believe Louisiana must implement hundreds of millions of dollars in severance tax suspensions to save the oil industry or things could get much worse. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says giving the industry a year of severance suspensions could save it in the long term, even as the budget faces calamity.

Cut 8 (07) “…to work”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says we can’t afford that kind of break, and asked if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…

Cut 9 (09) “…would not”

The industry has been hammered by a combination of the ongoing price war and COVID economic shutdowns.

The House Transportation committee approves a ban on hold handheld devices while driving, similar to a Senate effort that has moved to the Upper Chamber floor.

Governor Edwards made the major announcement that the state can begin reopening on Friday and that Louisiana meets the criteria laid out by the White House for phase one reopening. He also expects many of the businesses allowed to reopen will put protective measures in place for the safety of their customers and employees…

Cut 15 (07)“statewide.”

Edwards says businesses and churches can go to open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov to find out how the new order will impact them.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1^st. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says not only are tax collections down, but 310-thousand people have filed for unemployment and a recent study found that one out of every four people are out of work in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (11) “…has claimed.”

A resolution is headed to the full House that would suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes on the oil industry for one year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The University of Louisiana system announces plans for the nine-member institutions to resume in-person instruction this fall. UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson says “The University Experience is more than just attending class and we are optimistic with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts they we will be able to safely return to campus in August.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is lifting the stay at home order and that means Phase one of reopening of the economy will begin on Friday and last for at least 21 days. Edwards says that means restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes can re-open to the public for indoor table service at 25-percent of their capacity

Cut 13 (08) “…between tables”  

The Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, by at least a billion dollars in state spending next fiscal year. Tax collections have taken a significant hit. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says there are no signs for economic recovery anytime soon in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (12) “…one here.”

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. State Treasurer John Schroder says this paints a dismal picture of the economic situation, adding that next month will be worse.

Cut 3 (09)  “…in pretty bad.”  

Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order went into effect March 23, which closed many businesses. That’s led to a decline in income and sales tax collections. Schroder expects tax collection numbers to remain low for several months…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…any of that.”

Governor Edward did announce that he’s lifting the stay at home order this Friday which will allow some businesses to reopen but they will be limited.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, which will mean at least a billion-dollar reduction in state spending next fiscal year. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says what is happening to the state’s budget outlook is unprecedented

Cut 10 (06) “…will last”

Albrecht says he doesn’t see us recovering from this economic downturn anytime soon.

Those numbers are backed up by a report from the State Department of Revenue that indicates tax and fee collections for April were down 494 million dollars compared to last year. This has many legislators scrambling to figure out how to close the dire revenue drop off. Treasurer John Schroder believes raising taxes would make things harder on businesses…

Cut 5 (11)  “…attention to that.”

This hour Governor Edwards will announced whether the stay at home order will be extended.

Louisiana continues to report slowly declining numbers of new COVID deaths and cases compared to this time a month ago. Total cases are up 215 to 31,815 and fatalities up 29 to 2,242.

Lawmakers are fighting over how to address both the expected budget shortfall, and the rapid collapse of the Louisiana oil and gas industry. One legislator, Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop, has a resolution on it’s way to the full House that would suspend oil and gas severance taxes for a year, a plan that could cost several hundred million dollars. Bishop says we don’t have much of a choice.

Cut 6 (11) “…come back.”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says his constituents do not believe the state can afford such a hefty tax cut right now…

Cut 7 (08) “.devastating”

The state Department of Revenue reports tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor Edwards announces plans to hire up to 700 Louisianans to expand the state’s contact tracing program. Edwards says for those interested in the job…

Cut 13 (11) “…privacy” 

You can email ContactTracing@LA.gov.

State numbers released for COVID-19 show an increase in case numbers by 215 to 31,815 and fatalities up 29 to 2,242.

The state budget is facing a potentially massive revenue hit due to the COVID shutdown, and some lawmakers in the house are calling to suspend severance taxes for the oil and gas industry for one year. Ways and Means Chairman and resolution sponsor Stewart Bishop says we can’t afford to let the industry disappear.

Cut 8 (07) “…to work”

A recent survey of Louisiana oil and gas companies indicates massive layoffs and production shut-ins are also imminent due to the oil price war.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes opposed the resolution and asking if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…

Cut 9 (09) “…would not”

The vote was 11 to five in favor and now moves to the House floor.

The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting now to attempt to project how much the state will have available to spend next fiscal year. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the state is bracing for a 500-million to one-point-five billion dollar revenue shortfall…
cut 11 (12) “….the parish level”

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order went into effect March 23, which closed many businesses. That’s led to a decline in income and sales tax collections. State Treasurer John Schroder expects tax collection numbers to remain low for several months…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…any of that.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a resolution that would suspend severance taxes for the oil and gas industry for one year. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says this substantial tax cut would save one of the state’s biggest industries…

Cut 6 (11) “…come back.”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughs has received hundreds of emails in opposition from his constituents…

Cut 7 (08) “.devastating”

In a normal year, the suspension would cost the state 514 million dollars, but with the current oil price collapse, that number would likely be lower this year.