With the Louisiana Radio Network Legislative Report, I’m Matt Doyle.
Lawmakers are in the early days of the session, nailing down an early working budget, and for the first time it looks like there won’t be a massive budget deficit for leaders to tackle. Governor John Bel Edwards celebrated the change of pace.
Cut 12 (10) “…chopping block”
Now that budget woes have faded into the background, the Governor is pivoting to an old campaign promise, raising the minimum wage. He got some good news on that front today, as The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of respondents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, and 59% back a raise to 15 an hour, from the current rate of $7.25. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson.
Cut 6 (08) “…that minimum wage.”
Edwards is backing a constitutional amendment to raise the minimum to 9 dollars an hour.
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Another major legislative priority for seemingly all lawmakers this year is finding the cash to get teachers a 1,000 dollar pay raise, and Kevin Barnhart has new numbers from the Louisiana Survey that show it’s not just legislators who are hoping to see educators get that increase….
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
The Department of Children and Family Services says they need a 13 million dollar funding increase over last year to meet their budget needs, or the food stamps program could be shut down. The House budget being worked on currently does not include any funding increase for DCFS.

It’s the first full day of the 2019 legislative session and for the first time since Governor John Bel Edwards took office, state lawmakers are not dealing with a significant budget deficit. Edwards says a two-billion dollar budget deficit has turned into a surplus

Cut 12 (10) “…chopping block”

But the state’s Republican party says Governor Edwards eliminated the budget deficit by signing the largest tax increase in the state history.

The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour.  Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says support for a hike dropped to 59% when proposing a $15 an hour minimum wage.

Cut 8 (10) “…opinion on that.” 

Governor Edwards is pushing a constitutional amendment to increase the minimum wage to nine-dollars an hour in 2020.

Gas prices continue their usual climb during the spring months. Jeff Palermo has an update on where we stand…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A young child has been found dead in a drainage ditch in Morehouse Parish. According to authorities, the child is an eleven-year-old, who was last seen by family members on Saturday. A witness says the child’s body was found near the Baron Ballpark in Bastrop. Police believe the child was a victim of the flash flooding that occurred in the area over the weekend. The investigation is ongoing.

The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of respondents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, and 59 percent support raising it to 15 an hour, from the current rate of $7.25. It’s a broadly popular policy that has been shot down repeatedly by lawmakers, and Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says this year looks set for more of the same…
Cut 7 (09) “…down in committee.”
Governor Edwards is pushing a constitutional amendment to increase the minimum wage to nine-dollars an hour in 2020, and while he might not be able to complete his minimum wage campaign promise this year, it appears that he won’t be facing another defecet debacle like in years past. The Governor championed another Louisiana Survey finding showing more people say the state is heading in the right direction compared to last year.
Cut 14 (08) “…more opportunity.”
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The statewide average price for gasoline is up 26-cents from a month ago. According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com the statewide average stands at $2.48 per gallon, which is six cents more than a year. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says the price at the pump is rising, because production is down.
Cut 3 (10) “…summer driving season.”
Governor Edwards campaign reports it raised 2.5 million dollars in the 1st quarter of 2019, giving the reelection effort a total of 10.2 million dollars cash on hand, and today one of his rivals, Republican businessman Eddie Rispone, reported he’s now got 10.4 million on hand, but it’s not clear how much of that was fundraising, and how much was another injection of personal funds into the campaign coffers. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says it’s still early to be concerned about the GOP’s early fundraising issues.
Cut 11 (10) “.anyway”

The statewide average price for gasoline is up 26-cents from a month ago. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says if you want to save a few pennies on gasoline, try filling up on Tuesday. He says they’ve found that’s the best day to buy gas
Cut 5 (12) “…more volatile.”
According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com the statewide average stands at $2.48 per gallon, which is six cents more than a year ago.
The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of respondents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, from the current rate of $7.25. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says the numbers indicate there is broad support for the increase.
Cut 6 (08) “…that minimum wage.”
Support for a 15 dollar minimum wage was still a clear majority, but dropped to 59 percent.
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Governor Edwards campaign reports it raised 2.5 million dollars in the 1st quarter of 2019, giving the reelection effort a total of 10.2 million dollars cash on hand, but, Edwards fundraising is about to screech to a halt over the next three months as Louisiana law prohibits election fundraising during legislative sessions. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says this gives the GOP a chance to dramatically close the gap.
Cut 10 (09) “…candidacies”
Edwards is being challenged by businessman Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham.
It’s the first full day of the 2019 legislative session and for the first time since Governor John Bel Edwards took office, state lawmakers are not dealing with a significant budget deficit. Edwards celebrated data that showed personal income is up in Louisiana.
Cut 13 (10) “…for business.”

It’s the first full day of the 2019 legislative session and for the first time since Governor John Bel Edwards took office, state lawmakers are not dealing with a significant budget deficit. Edwards says a two-billion dollar budget deficit has turned into a surplus

Cut 12 (10) “…chopping block”

But the state’s Republican party says Governor Edwards eliminated the budget deficit by signing the largest tax increase in the state history.

The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour.  Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says support for a hike dropped to 59% when proposing a $15 an hour minimum wage.

Cut 8 (10) “…opinion on that.” 

Governor Edwards is pushing a constitutional amendment to increase the minimum wage to nine-dollars an hour in 2020.

Gas prices continue their usual climb during the spring months. Jeff Palermo has an update on where we stand…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A prank call to 911 results in a juvenile being charged with terrorism. Multiple agencies responded to Buckeye Junior High in Rapides Parish in reference to a possible gunshot victim at the school. Within minutes, authorities arrived to the campus and following a search of the area, found no one injured. Through an investigation, sufficient evidence was found to establish a suspect.

The statewide average price for gasoline is up 26-cents from a month ago. According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com the statewide average stands at $2.48 per gallon, which is six cents more than a year ago. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says oil prices are also rising, up 21-dollars a barrel from Christmas. He says expect gas prices to keep rising for another six weeks…
Cut 4 (12) “…wraps up”

The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour.  While support for the pay hike for minimum wage workers is there from the public, the state has yet to see that same support from lawmakers. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says he would not bet on an increase passing this year.

Cut 7 (09) “…down in committee.”
Governor Edwards has been pushing for an increase in the minimum wage.

Governor Edwards raised 2.55 million dollars in the last quarter, bringing his cash on hand to 10.2 million dollars for his reelection effort. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The statewide average price for gasoline is up 26-cents from a month ago. According to Gas-Buddy-dot-com the statewide average stands at $2.48 per gallon, which is six cents more than a year. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says the price at the pump is rising, because production is down
Cut 3 (10) “…summer driving season.”
DeHaan says oil prices are also rising, up 21-dollars a barrel from Christmas.
The latest release from the 2019 Louisiana Survey shows 81% of Louisiana residents support raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour, from the current rate of $7.25.  Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Center Dr. Mike Henderson says the numbers indicates that not only is that a lot of support, but broad support for the increase.

Cut 6 (08) “…that minimum wage.”

The $8.25 an hour proposal saw support among Democrats at 94%, Independents at 78%, and Republicans at 72%.

Governor Edwards campaign is reporting they raised 2.55 million dollars in the 1st quarter of 2019, giving the reelection effort a total of 10.2 million dollars cash on hand. His two Republican challengers have yet to release their numbers, but political analyst Clancy DuBos says Edwards fundraising sends a strong message to the GOP.

Cut 9 (10) “…good”

The fundraising quarter ended on April 5th.

Two pieces of legislation have been filed aimed at reducing the number of billboards in the state.  The sentiment of reducing billboards is backed by Louisiana’s trucking industry, because truckers feel demonized by the content of accident lawyers’ roadside ads.  Jonesboro Rep. Jack McFarland says the goal of his House resolution isn’t aimed at any particular industry that uses the advertisements.

Cut 13 (10) “…of the billboards.”

Dozens of lawmakers will be purged after this session as their 12 year term limits take effect. Matt Doyle spoke to some of them about whether or not the law has been effective…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Democrat Charlie Greer from Natchitoches Parish has announced he’s challenging incumbent Ag commissioner Mike Strain in next fall’s election, making his second attempt at the office. He has taken on medical marijuana as his top campaign issue, saying Strain is dragging his feet on cannabis that patients in Louisiana are legally entitled to.  In 2015, Greer finished with 30% of the vote, second to Mike Strain with 58%.

There are bills in the House and Senate that seek to cap the number of billboards in Louisiana at around their current number, which is seven-thousand. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel says his bill is not a violation of the First Amendment…
cut 15 (11) “….can cause accidents”
But outdoor advertising giant, Lamar calls the legislation an assault on their company.

A report from the ACLU of Louisiana lays out a blueprint for cutting the state’s prison population by 50 percent.  African Americans make up 33 percent of the state’s population, but are 66 percent of the inmates. President Alanah Hebert says among the recommendations, eliminating racial disparities in sentencing, and reducing or eliminating cash bond and other monetary penalties that hit the poor hardest.

Cut 12 (09) “…as well″

The ACLU is backing LaPlace Representative Randal Gaines’ bill that would reform the multiple offenders statute.

An effort being supported by the Louisiana trucking industry due to truckers being upset over trial attorneys demonizing the industry could cap number of billboards in the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The latest installment of the Louisiana survey finds that 81-percent of Louisiana residents support an increase in the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour. Governor Edwards is pushing a constitutional amendment that would increase the minimum wage to 9 bucks an hour in 2020.

The Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana has broken ground on a new biomedical research complex in Shreveport that will add 25 new jobs to the area. Officials say the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy will use new technology to help develop diagnosis and therapy for chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson….
cut 6 (10) “…we’ve established’

31 of the 105-members of the state house of representatives are term-limited and can not run for their seat again this October. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton is one of several House members looking to serve in the upper chamber…
cut 9 (09) “…another story”
Norton has already announced that she will seek to become the next senator that represents District 39, which is currently occupied by Senator Greg Tarver, who has yet to announce if he’ll seek re-election.

Legislation set to be debated during this legislative session would cap the number of billboards in the state. Currently, there are seven-thousand billboards and Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland says the billboards are a distraction for drivers and makes highways less scenic…
cut 14 (08) “….and federal highways
But a spokesperson for Lamar Advertising calls the legislation anti-business.

The Louisiana ACLU is asking the state legislature to change state law to end mandatory life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole. Executive Director Alanah Odoms Hebert says this doesn’t mean those serving life sentence for second-degree murder should be released…
cut 11 (11) “…considered”
Louisiana is one of six states where adults serving life sentences are never eligible for parole.

Construction has started on the Center for Molecular Imaging and Therapy on a $14- million dollar expansion in Shreveport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company works in the next generation of radiopharmaceutical treatment for diseases like cancer. The expansion will result in two dozen new jobs…
Cut 4 (08) “…these research scientists.”
The center will be operated by the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana and Governor Edwards says they are a leader in the field of molecular imaging and research.

There are 16 senators and 31 House members serving their last year of their 12-year term in the state legislature as term limits will create a huge turnover. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the Senate will lose some influential members…
cut 8 (12) “….to fill”
Voters approved term limits for lawmakers in 1995.