It’s an important day at the State Capitol as the House is expected to vote on three different sales tax bills that could generate millions of dollars of revenue that can be used to close a budget deficit just over 500-million dollars. The proposals will take 70 votes to pass and it’s unclear if the votes are there.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved utility provider SWEPCO’s plan to purchase part of the Wind Catcher project. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

Louisiana no longer leads the nation for its incarceration rate. Governor John Bel Edwards says that unwanted distinction goes to Oklahoma….
cut 9 (11) “…incarceration rate”
According to the latest data made public by the Advocate Newspaper. Oklahoma incarcerates 719 people per 100-thousand residents, while Louisiana is at 712 inmates per 100-thousand citizens.

The Mighty Lions of Lafayette High School are working out in their new weight room today, thanks to a generous donation by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal to help fund the project that cost a little more than $40,000. Football coach Rob Pool says he was stunned when Shaq stepped in to fill the budget gap.
Cut 6 (11) “…more grateful.”
Shaq’s donation was part of South Louisiana Giving Day, which was organized by the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax.  The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. Governor John Bel Edwards says its anxious times….

Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”

Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.  Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…students like me.” 

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves SWEPCO’s plan to use energy from a wind farm that’s under construction in Oklahoma. P-S-C member Foster Campbell says the Wind Catcher Energy Connection is clean energy that will produce long-term savings for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The lone no vote on the commission came from Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says SWEPCO is not short on power and the company can’t guarantee fuel savings.

U-S Representative Ralph Abraham is one of several co-sponsors on a bill that seeks to extend I-14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham says there is money for the project, but it will also take state dollars to get it done…
cut 5 (11) “….finish line”
The I-14 extension bill is waiting for a hearing in a House committee.

Over a hundred college students congregated in front of the Capitol to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The full House convenes at 10:30 this morning and a vote is expected on three different sales tax bills that would generate revenue to soften cuts to college campuses, TOPS, public safety programs, state parks and district attorneys’ offices. There’s a 506-million dollar deficit for next fiscal year and none of the bills approved by the committee fully fund the budet.

US Representative Ralph Abraham is co-sponsoring legislation that seeks to extend Interstate 14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham believes he can get congressional approval, because of the expansion would provide Fort Polk and Beauregard military bases with quicker and easier access to the deployment port in Beaumont, Texas…
Cut 6 (10) “…ideal solution”
The legislation is awaiting a hearing in a House committee.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves a plan for utility provider SWEPCO to use wind energy from a 4-point-five billion dollar Oklahoma wind energy project that’s currently under construction. PSC Member Foster Campbell says it’s important for Louisiana customers to have more alternate energy options…
cut 8 (09) “….we have to diversify”
The Wind Catcher is expected to come on line in 2020.

College students held a rally at the State Capitol last night demanding that the legislature fully fund higher education and the TOPS scholarship program. Jeremy Gray is the Student Government President for Central Louisiana Technical Community College…
cut 15 (09) “…are taxpayers”

We’ll find out today if House members heard the message from college students as the lower chamber is expected to have the opportunity to vote on three different sales tax bills that would raise revenue to reduce the cuts to college campuses and TOPS. Governor John Bel Edwards is cautiously optimistic….
cut 11 (10) “…conclusion too”
It will take 70 yes votes for the sales tax proposals to advance to the Senate.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves SWEPCO’s plan to use energy from a wind farm that’s under construction in Oklahoma. P-S-C member Foster Campbell says the Wind Catcher Energy Connection is clean energy that will produce long-term savings for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The lone no vote on the commission came from Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says SWEPCO is not short on power and the company can’t guarantee fuel savings.

U-S Representative Ralph Abraham is one of several co-sponsors on a bill that seeks to extend I-14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham says there is money for the project, but it will also take state dollars to get it done…
cut 5 (11) “….finish line”
The I-14 extension bill is waiting for a hearing in a House committee.

Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…
Cut 2 (31) ” I’m Connor Ferrill”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s optimistic the legislature is ont he right track to a successful conclusion of the special session. But members of the Legislative Black Caucus says they will vote against any sales tax proposal that doesn’t fill the entire deficit. None of the measures approved in committee yesterday do so.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle. North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.
Cut 7 (05) “…wind is free.”
The lone no vote came from PSC member Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says he could not vote to have SWEPCO customers finance an unneeded generation project that will only save them money if the price fo natural gas increases singificantly.

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…
Cut 4 (08) “….into the economy”
Abraham says there is federal money for the project, but the state will have to pay a portion of the costs.

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not, significant cuts will occur…
Cut 10 (11) “…cut”
And that cut to higher education was one reason why college students rallied outside of the state capitol late yesterday afternoon. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says the lack of funding may have students finiding they can’t complete what they started with their education endeavors…
cut 14 (09) “….not being fully funded”
The full House is set to convene at 10:30 this morning. It will take 70 yes votes for the tax proposals.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved utility provider SWEPCO’s plan to purchase part of the Wind Catcher project. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

A new state-of-the-art weight room opens today at Lafayette High School thanks to a significant donation from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’ Neal.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO, saving customers billions over the next quarter century.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Kevin Barnhart“

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Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Connor Ferrill” 

____________________________________________________

Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_______________________________________________

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…

Cut 4  (08) “….into the economy”

Abraham says now there is money for the project but it will also take state dollars to get it done…

Cut 5  (11)  “…finish line”

Abraham believes he can get congressional approval for this project because of the expansion would provide bases like Fort Polk and Beauregard with quicker and easier access to the deployment port in Beaumont, Texas…

Cut 6 (10) “…ideal solution”

___________________________________________________

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle.  North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.

Cut 7 (05)  “…wind is free.”

The wind farm being built in Oklahoma requires no fuel to run and is projected to save SWEPCO customers billions of dollars over the life of the 25 year project. Campbell says it’s important for Louisiana residents to have more alternate energy options.

Cut 8 (09)  “…we have to diversify”

Campbell also says that customers are guaranteed cost savings with this clean energy option.

Cut 9 (08)  “…clean in Louisiana.”

______________________________________________

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not significant cuts will occur…

Cut 10 (11)   “…cut”

During his monthly call-in show, Edwards told listeners the discussions he’s having with lawmakers are different during this third special and better than they were before….

Cut 11 (10) “…conclusion too”

The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. It will take 70 votes on the House floor today for these sales tax bills to advance to the Senate. Edwards says its anxious times….

Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”

______________________________________________

Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.  Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…students like me.” 

Another participant, LSU SGA president Stewart Locket says the lack of funding may have students finding they can’t complete what they started with their educational endeavors.

With a week to go in the special session, the House Ways and Means committee approves three different sales tax bills. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Five star cornerback and the nation’s number one recruit according to Rivals-dot-com, Derek Stingley Junior of Baton Rouge, announced today he plans on signing with LSU in in December. Instead of holding a press conference, with hats of different schools in front of him, the Dunham High football star announced his decision with a video message on Twitter.
Governor John Bel Edwards announced today he’s not removing a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team from the Mexico border that assists with border patrol. But Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.
Cut 12 (12) “…they are not criminals.”
President Trump signed an executive order to stop the seperation of immigrant families trying to cross illegally.

59-year-old Gerald Manning is a free man today after spending 41 years in prison for the 1977 murder of Vonda Harris. Manning was just 17 years old at the time of the homicide and his attorney Kristen Wenstrom says recent DNA testing has exonerated him of the murder that even the victim’s family doesn’t think he committed…
cut 8 (13) “….the real perpetrator”
Manning plans to live with his mother in Monroe.

A House committee approved three sales tax bills today that would reduce the state’s budget deficit for next fiscal year. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis’ legislation to renew an expiring one-cent sales tax by four-tenths passed on a 12-5 vote as members of the legislative black caucus didn’t vote for it, because they want a sales tax bill that renews half of the expiring one cent sales tax. Davis is optimistic her legislation can get 70 votes for House approval….
cut 14 (07) “….right bill”
The full House is expected to vote on the revenue raising bills tomorrow.

A State Police trooper has been arrested and placed on administrative leave for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in New Orleans. Thirty-six-year-old Lander Journee faces a charge of third-degree rape. Journee has been with L-S-P since 2007.

Governor John Bel Edwards said today on his montly call-in show that he’s keeping a three-member Louisiana National Guard air team on the Mexico border. Edwards says removing them would risk the lives of law enforcement….
Cut 11 (14) “…as a result of that”
But Edwards criticized the Trump administration for separating families that were caught trying to cross into the United States illegally. President Trump signed an executive order today stopping family separation.

Ardagh Glass has notified the state that it’s planning to lay off just over 200 workers at its glass making facility in Lincoln Parish, because many of the companies they work with are using plastic containers instead. Simsboro Mayor Sybil Foster says the layoffs are an economic blow to her town…
cut 5 (07) “…reduced or what”
An estimated 450 people currently work at the facility.

Three sales tax bills that raise revenue to different amounts are heading to the House floor for debate tomorrow after they received approval by the House Ways and Means. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis received the most support as it renews an expiring one-cent penny by four-tenths of a cent. She calls it a great compromise…

Cut 13 (12) “…this out” 
The other sales tax proposals to pass would renew a third of the expiring one-cent sales tax. Another measure renews half of the tax, but scale it down over time. Chairman Neil Abramson of New Orleans is optimistic the House can behind one of the bills…

Cut 15 (09) “…current situation.”

The separation of families coming into the United States illegally is causing a firestorm of controversy across the nation.  President Trump has signed an executive order to allow children to stay with parents attempting to cross the border unlawfully.  US Representative Ralph Abraham says he co-sponsored the Goodlatte-McCaul Bill.  While he believes it could solve many of the border issues, he feels that there may not be enough support to pass the bill.

Cut 10 (13) “…and for all.”

On his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards says in no way does he support removing families from their children.

Cut 12 (12)   “…they are not criminals.”