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”

The state Senate approves a 30-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year. New Orleans Senator and chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, Karen Carter Peterson, proposed to increase state dollars for prenatal care for woman and sex education, because getting an abortion will be more difficult in Louisiana, but those amendments were defeated by both Republicans and Democrats. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur says the legislature is close to passing a budget the can be proud of…
Cut 5 (11) “…to go.”
The House and Senate still have to settle their differences with the spending plan.
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 said the measure aims to ensure proper nutrition and safety for consumers.

Cut 6 (11) “…we have standards.”

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. But opponents 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””

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.The policy change gives the 14 schools in the SEC the ability to draw up their own alochol sale policy. Some schools may decide not to sell alcohol in the general seating areas, but Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says LSU believes beer and wine sales can help keep Tiger Stadium full in the second half of games

Cut 14 (06) “…elsewhere” 

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”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to sign a bill that received final legislative passage today requiring restaurants to disclose on their menu the origin of their shrimp or crawfish if the product is imported. Larose Representative Truck Gisclair authored the bill, saying the issue is a health concern as too little testing is done on product entering the US from countries like China and Vietnam.

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, not only are the current marketing materials clear they offer plant-based meat products, but the consumer demand is there for the products.

Cut 9 (10) “…St. Louis area restaurants.”

The bill moved forward without any objecting votes.

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.”

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.”

Governor Edwards signed the bill yesterday.

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.”

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.”

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 alcohol sale policy