Governor John Bel Edwards and Century Link CEO Jeff Storey announced today that the global technology company will retain its corporate headquarters in Monroe through 2025. The governor’s office says Centurylink accepted the state’s incentive package that includes an annual performance-based grant. The agreement also funds two-million dollars in education grants to Louisiana Tech.

New legislation calls for the creation High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on highly congested roads in Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A state lawmaker wants to make changes to how ITEP property tax breaks are approved for large manufacturers. Governor Edwards made changes to ITEP when he took office and it resulted in the East Baton Rouge school board denying Exxon a tax break. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds wants to streamline the approval process, that will appease both local stakeholders and business investors…
cut 8 (11) “….approval of”
The Republican lawmaker wants the parish president, sheriff and school board presidents to sign off on ITEP requests.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop has pre-filed a bill to rename Interstate 10 to “Who Dat Nation Highway” from the Mississippi State line to the Texas State line. Bishop says he wants to bring statewide recognition to the world’s greatest fans…
cut 15 (05) “…New Orleans Saints”
If approved, the state transportation department would erect signage at each parish line designating the new name, provided local or private funds are available.

The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is pushing lawmakers to increase funding that would help parents pay for early childhood education…
cut 6 (10) “…ten years”
That’s executive director Melanie Bronfin who says single parents pay 38-percent of their income to send their infant to a child care center. Bronfin says other states use tobacco taxes and lottery funds to help provide early childhood subsidies for needy families.

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would give the state transportation department the ability to set up high occupancy vehicle lanes on congested roadways. That means vehicles with more than one passenger can use them as a way to encourage car pooling. Erdey says cameras can detect if a solo passenger uses an H-O-V lane…
cut 12 (04) “….the passenger seat”
Erdey says many of roadways are wide enough already for an HOV.

A bill has been filed to change the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which is a tax break for large manufacturers. When Governor John Bel Edwards took office he made a change to ITEP that now calls for local governments to approve the tax break. But Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says that has created problems…
cut 9 (09) “…in Texas”
Governor Edwards says the change to ITEP was a good one and it’s still a very generous tax break. Edmonds bill would call for the parish president, the sheriff and school board president to approve ITEP requests, instead of the entire school board, city council or parish council.

New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop has filed a bill that would rename I-10 as Who Dat Nation Highway….
cut 13 (10) “…in the world”
Senate Bill 134 directs the state department of transportation to erect signage at each parish line designating the new name, provided local or private funds are available.

Additional funding for early childhood education could be a hot topic in the fiscal session that begins next week. A state-commissioned panel recently concluded that 86-million dollars is needed for early child care programs to match public need and quality standards. There’s been talk that taxes from sports betting could go to early childhood education, but Louisiana Policy Institute for Children executive director Melanie Bronfin says that will generate only a small amount of money…
cut 5 (07) “…piece of the puzzle”

A Baton Rouge Representative is proposing a change to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which gives large manufacturers a significant property tax break. The Republican lawmaker wants the Parish President, Sheriff, and School Board President to review ITEP tax breaks requests. Rick Edmonds says at the moment, requesting an ITEP means working with a number of local boards.
Cut 7 (07) “…a different parish.”
Edmonds legislation is in response to the East Baton Rouge school board rejecting an ITEP request from Exxon.

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey wants to give the state department of transportation the authority to create a high occupancy vehicle lane on congested highways. Erdey says the extra lane is already there in many cases, and it wouldn’t take much funding to get it done…
cut 10 (07) “…accomplish this”
Erdey says cameras can be used to ticket solo drivers who use the H-O-V lane.

New legislation could see I-10 renamed in honor of the Black and Gold. Brooke Thorington has more from New Orleans Senator Wesley Bishop…
voicer 3 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Livingston Senator Dale Erdey has filed legislation that would create High Occupancy Vehicle lanes also known as HOV lanes in highly congested areas of the state. Erdey says drivers riding solo would not be allowed to drive in the lane, but they would still see benefits…
Cut 11 (08) “…lanes of highway.”

A Louisiana Policy Institute for Children report shows the cost of childcare in the state is rapidly rising, up 35 percent from 2010 to 2016. Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state should pump more money into early childhood subsidies like California does with its dedicated tobacco tax….
Cut 4 (10) “…states.”
Sports betting could be legalized this session, and some early childhood proponents have suggested putting that tax money towards the program.

Another change to the Industrial Tax Exemption Program, which is a large property tax break for manufacturers could be possible if one Baton Rouge lawmaker gets his way in the upcoming legislative session. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m matt doyle.”

This is not an April Fools report but yes it’s true the Rolling Stones have cancelled their Jazz Fest appearance for May and now we know why. According to reports, Mick Jagger will have heart valve replacement surgery in New York. His doctor said no more performances for now. Jagger apologized to fans on Twitter Saturday for the postponed of their US and Canadian tour. Thousands waited in line to get tickets for their appearance at Jazz Fest and paid extra to see the legendary band. As for Jazz Fest the decision on refunds and a replacement for the Stones are still being discussed among organizers.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has a bill that would eventually pump billions of dollars into the state’s crumbling infrastructure by raising the gas tax by 18 cents a gallon over the next 12 years. Carter says his bill would make sure that every cent raised would go towards fixing bridges, building roads, and other vital needs.

Cut 6 (12) “…this state”

The current gas tax is 20 cents a gallon, and if passed the legislation would raise that by six cents in the first year.

The personal finance website WalletHub finds Louisiana is the most stressed out state in the nation WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says Financially, the state ranks second for the median credit score and third for percent of the population living below the poverty line.  Gonzales says these factors can have a snowball effect.

Cut 4 (11) “…cyclical aspects here.”

Terrebone Parish Sherriff Jerry Larpenter has announced he won’t seek his ninth election at the end of his term next June. The career lawman said in a letter he’s wants to spend more time with his family. Larpenter began his career as a patrolman and worked his way up the ranks.  Larpenter was sheriff for 21 years before deciding to not run again in 2007 and he was elected again after the gap in 2011 and 2015. Three people have announced their intent to succeed Larpenter. The primary is October 12^th.

A Baton Rouge Representative wants to raise the gas tax by 18 cents over the next 12 years to pay for billions in Louisiana infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

Terrebone Parish Sherriff Jerry Larpenter has announced he won’t seek his ninth election at the end of his term next June. The career lawman said in a letter he’s wants to spend more time with his family. Larpenter began his career as a patrolman and worked his way up the ranks.  Larpenter was sheriff for 21 years before deciding to not run again in 2007 and he was elected again after the gap in 2011 and 2015. Three people have announced their intent to succeed Larpenter. The primary is October 12^th.

The personal finance website WalletHub finds Louisiana is the most stressed out state in the nation.  Bordering states Mississippi took second place and Arkansas placed third.  WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says 40 different metrics were used to calculate the rankings.

Cut 3 (11) “…those different things.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services releases a report that finds the number of reported juvenile trafficking victims rose by 20-percent in 2018. Child welfare manager Christy Tate says Overall in 2018, there were 744 confirmed victims of trafficking, 58-percent were juveniles and as young as five months old. She says the oldest victim of human trafficking was 65-years-old…

Cut 13 (10) “…their 60s.”

The personal finance website WalletHub finds Louisiana is the most stressed out state in the nation.  Louisiana ranks fifth for percent of adults with fair or poor health and sixth for getting adequate sleep. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says the lack of money can lead to stress and Louisiana ranks high in some catagories.

Cut 5 (11) “…of stress levels.”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is looking to increase the state gas tax by 18 cents a gallon to help ease traffic and repair state bridges. A past effort by Carter to pass a similar tax failed to even make it to the floor, but the Capital City Republican says he’s heard from lawmakers since then who have changed their mind.

Cut 8 (09) “…gasoline tax”.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry is promoting legislation in the upcoming session that would guarantee healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions and other patient projections, if the Affordable Care Act is ruled unconstitutional. Governor Edwards says its ironic Landry is taking credit for fixing a problem he helped create by supporting litigation that endangers health care coverage for almost 850-thousand Louisiana residents. But Landry says the lawsuit gives Louisiana an opportunity to create a better health care system…

Cut 11 (09)   “fellow citizens.”

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services releases a report that finds the number of reported juvenile trafficking victims rose by 20-percent in 2018. Child welfare manager Christy Tate says the report found that Orleans, Caddo and East Baton Rouge were the parishes most frequently identified as the trafficking locations for both adult and juvenile victims. She says that’s not a big surprise…

Cut 14 (07) “…traveled areas”

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter is proposing legislation that would increase the gasoline tax 18-cents a gallon over the next 12 years. Carter says last week’s traffic nightmare in the Capital City because of a damaged bridge is another reason why the state needs better bridges…

Cut 7 (11) “…somewhere”

Carter’s bill would increase state transportation dollars by 430-million dollars per year.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services releases a report that finds the number of reported juvenile trafficking victims rose by 20-percent in 2018. Child welfare manager Christy Tate says they don’t think the crime of human trafficking is getting worse, but there’s greater awareness

Cut 12 (08) “…being trained.”

Overall in 2018, there were 744 confirmed victims of trafficking, 58-percent were juveniles and as young as five months old.

Louisiana has the highest level of stress in the nation according to research from the personal finance website WalletHub…

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is backing legislation in the upcoming session that would guarantee healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions and other patient projections, if Obamacare is ruled unconstitutional. The A-G has been an outspoken critic of the A-C-A, and says this bill is part of the solution…

Cut 10 (07)“…coming out”

The Edwards administration also has a bill addressing the possibility of people losing insurance if the A-C-A is ruled unconstitutional.

Baton Rouge Representative Steve Carter has a bill that would eventually pump billions of dollars into the state’s crumbling infrastructure by raising the gas tax by 18 cents a gallon over the next 12 years. Carter says his bill would make sure that every cent raised would go towards fixing vital needs.

Cut 6 (12) “…this state”

The current gas tax is 20 cents a gallon, and if passed the legislation would raise that by six cents in the first year.

The personal finance website WalletHub has released a report that indicates Louisiana is the most stressed-out state in the nation.   Louisiana ranks fifth for percent of adults with fair or poor health.  Financially, the state ranks third for percent of the population living below the poverty line.  Gonzales says these factors can have a snowball effect.

Cut 4 (11) “…cyclical aspects here.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry is touting legislation that would guarantee healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions and other patient projections if the courts rule the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Landry says the bill is called “Health Care Coverage for Louisiana Families Protection Act…

Cut 9 (12) “…pre-existing conditions”

Landry’s office supports a lawsuit that seeks to declare Obamacare as unconstitutional. Back in December, a federal judge ruled in favor of that lawsuit and the ruling is currently under appeal.

What happens now with the LSU basketball program now that the season is over? Head Coach Will Wade could be dismissed in the wake of the FBI wiretap scandal that caught Wade in an alleged pay to play scheme. Tiger Rag Associate Editor Tyler Nunez says Athletic Director Joe Alleva likely has his eyes on a new head coach…

Cut 10 (12) “…will wade.”

The personal finance website WalletHub has released a report that indicates Louisiana is the most stressed-out state in the nation.  Bordering states Mississippi took second place and Arkansas placed third.  WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says forty key metrics were used to calculate the rankings.

Cut 3 (11) “…those different things.”

Louisiana ranks fifth for percent of adults with fair or poor health and sixth for getting adequate sleep.

Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval has introduced legislation for the upcoming session that would see handheld cell phone use prohibited while driving.  Current law only sees that restriction in place while in a school zone.  Huval says the proposed law would carry a few exceptions for hand-held phone use, including first responders.

Cut 6 (13) “…an exception also.”

The 2019 session kicks off seven days from now and legislators will tackle revenue questions, but as of now, they will be doing it without a budget. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”