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.

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. House Republicans rejected a similar proposal earlier this year over concerns the state can’t afford this type of spending.

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”

A bill that enacts statewide regulations for ride-sharing services, so that Uber and Lyft can expand operations to areas out of the state’s largest cities is nearing final passage. Winnfield Senator Gerald Long says this is an important bill for central Louisiana…
cut 15 (11) “…60 or 70 miles”
The bill still needs House approval of changes made by the Senate and that is expected to happen.

A bill that gives judges a 2.5 percent pay raise starting July 1st and additional 2.5-percent increases through 2023 is headed to the governor’s desk. Supporters say the pay hike will put salaries for judges in Louisiana at the Southern Regional Average. Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter voted for the legislation, but made this point on the House floor…
cut 10 (09) “…salaries”
Three House members voted against the bill, conservative Republicans Beryl Amedee, Dodie Horton and Blake Miguez.

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.

The state Senate approves a 30-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year and the controversy over the fetal heartbeat abortion bill spilled into the debate. New Orleans Senator and chairwoman of the state Democratic Party , Karen Carter Peterson, tried to steer more money towards the state’s foster care system, but it was shot down by her colleagues.

Cut 4 (07) “…uterus” 

If the federal courts uphold a similar law in Mississippi, than abortions would be outlawed in Louisiana once doctors detects the heartbeat of a fetus, usually six weeks into a pregnancy.

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.  Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.

Cut 6 (11) “…we have standards.”

Beer and wine could be available for purchase in the general seating areas in Tiger Stadium this year as the SEC has lifted its stadium wide ban on alcohol sales. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU has been a driving force behind this rule change

Cut 13 (07) “ policy” 

The policy change gives the 14 schools in the SEC the ability to draw up their own alochol sale policy. 

Houma Representative Beryl Amadee withdraws her bill that would extend Stand Your Ground legal protections to houses of worship amid concerns from opponents who say the legislation could extend to interpersonal conflicts, and poorly defines what a “justifiable threat” is in a church. Senate Judiciary B Chairman Gary Smith appreciated the gesture, but…

cut 12(11)   “…in it””

The state Senate approves a 30-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year and the controversy over the fetal heartbeat abortion bill spilled into the debate. New Orleans Senator and chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, Karen Carter Peterson, tried to steer more money towards the state’s foster care system, because getting an abortion will be more difficult in Louisiana…

Cut 3 (10) “…raise the child.”

That attempt ultimately failed, as nearly twice as many Senators voted against it as for it.

Houma Representative Beryl Amadee withdraws her bill that would extend Stand Your Ground legal protections to houses of worship amid concerns it creates loopholes that incentivize violence. Amadee says her legislation had the backing of the Louisiana Family Forum, Louisiana Baptist Association, and even consultation from AG Jeff Landry and the NRA.

Cut 10 (10) “…targets.”

A Senate-approved bill targeting labeling restrictions for plant-based meats, non-animal-based milks, and cauliflower rice clears another legislative hurdle. 

cut 2 (33) I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Port Allen based Holy Family Catholic School Principle Michael Comeau was arrested in Washington D.C. Friday morning while in the Capital for a school field trip for allegedly getting highly intoxicated at a strip club, refusing to pay his bill, and then standing drunkenly in the roadway and refusing to move when police arrived on the scene. Comeau is an award winning educator who’s previously received the prestigious Milken award.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a budget, but before the vote, New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson pushed for more state dollars for foster care, because getting an abortion will become more difficult if a fetal heartbeat abortion bill goes into effect….
cut 4 (06) “…uterus”
The amendment was defeated, but many Democrats like Peterson are upset Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards signed the bill.

Houma Representative Beryl Amadee withdraws her bill that would extend Stand Your Ground legal protections to houses of worship amid concerns it creates loopholes that incentivize violence. The Terrebone Parish Republican says she’ll look at addressing those concerns in the future, because a limited survey of shootings shows the “good guy with a gun” can save lives in the event of a mass shooting.

Cut 11 (11) “…rate.”

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.  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.

Beer and wine could be available for purchase in the general seating areas in Tiger Stadium this year as the SEC has lifted its stadium wide ban on alcohol sales with the policy change giving the 14 schools in the conference the ability to draw up their own alcohol sale policy. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says beer and wine sales at football, basketball and baseball games could be big revenue generator for LSU…

Cut 15 (08) “…at LSU”