Governor John Bel Edwards began the sixth special session of his term from Acadiana, where he spoke on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. Instead of a traditional speech inside the House chambers, Edwards made his case on a college campus for lawmakers to approve tax bills in this special session that would generate 648-million dollars in revenue to stave off cuts across state government. Edwards says he would like to see legislators remove certain sales tax exemptions…
cut 14 (07) “…for businesses”
UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross expects any tax plan that comes out of the special session to only be a temporary solution…
cut 11 (11) “…2020”

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather has a medium chance of development once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

For the second time this year, the Monroe Police Department lost an officer while on duty. Twenty-six-year-old Ayrian Williams died last night in a car crash while responding to a call. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo…
cut 8 (08) “…Monroe police department”
In January, Officer Chris Beaudoin was pronounced dead at the scene of a crash.

The sixth special session since Governor John Bel Edwards took office is underway. Edwards opened the session on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus. Public colleges are at risk of significant budget cuts, unless legislators approve 648 million dollars in taxes. Edwards hopes the legislature can come together on a plan…
cut 12 (12) “….deserve”
The special session must end June 4th, as of now the budget cuts are set to go into effect July 1st.

Forecasters are monitoring an area of low pressure in the northwest Caribbean Sea that’s expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days. Danielle Manning with the National Weather Service in Slidell says there’s a medium chance the system will develop into a tropical depression….
cut 4 (10) “…five days”
If you are heading to the beach this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday, it could be a wet one.

A school safety bill by St. Landry Parish Congressman Clay Higgins has cleared the House and heads to the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”

A Monroe police officer was killed last night in a single vehice wreck. Authorities say 26-year-old Ayrian Williams was heading to another call when her vehicle hit a tree in a resident’s front lawn. Wiliams joined the force last year and she’s the second Monroe police officer this year who died in the line of duty.

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer died in a traffic accident yesterday. Ayrian Williams was an LSU grad and New Orleans native who worked at the Southern Campus Police Department before taking a job with Monroe in November of 2017. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says the officer had a great reputation in the department after just half a year on the force, and had the talent to work anywhere, but chose to make Monroe her home.

Cut 7 (09)  “police department”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers released a survey of its members that shows 61-percent of them support a statewide walkout or strike, because of low teacher pay. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says average teacher salaries in Louisiana have been below the Southern average since the 2012-13 school year…

cut 18 (06) “….low pay”

Governor Edwards speaks today at UL Lafayette breaking special session tradition of opening the proceedings by talking in the House chamber. The Governor is calling on the legislature to replace expiring sales taxes to avoid 638 million dollars in budget cuts. University of Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards is hoping to draw attention to the importance to higher ed.

Cut 9 (09) “chopping block.”

This will be the 9^th special session since governor Edwards took office in 2016, when temporary sales taxes that are set to expire in July were raised to address the last fiscal cliff. Cross says the Governor will most likely have to settle for a compromise built around renewing half of the one penny sales tax that is set to expire.

And a low pressure system that could ruin Memorial Day beach vacations across the gulf coast is starting to get the attention of the National Hurricane Center. The system has been named Invest 90L. Current forecasts show it staying east of Louisiana.

A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers indicates that 61 percent of union members support a statewide walkout or strike to accomplish their goals of better school funding and pay raises. The survey was inspired by a series of successful teacher’s strikes in other states. LFT president Larry Carter says they’re ready to send a message to the legislature.

Cut 16 (09) “organized resistance”

53 percent of teachers surveyed say teacher pay is the most important issue facing schools, and 3,800 teachers responded to the voluntary survey.

A 26-year-old Monroe Police Officer died in a traffic accident yesterday. Ayrian Williams was an LSU grad and New Orleans native who joined the force in November of 2017. Police Chief Eugene Ellis says Williams was on the clock when the accident occurred.

Cut 6 (09)  “large tree”

A low pressure system has been tagged by the National Hurricane Center for additional research, under the name Invest 90L. The system is currently in the Caribbean Sea, and is on track to hit somewhere along the Gulf Coast during memorial weekend. National Weather Service Slidell Meteorologist Danielle Manning says as of now, it appears Louisiana should dodge the worst of it.

Cut 3 (07) “of Louisiana”

But Manning warns the system has the potential of developing into at least a tropical depression

US Representative Clay Higgins’ bill that would require the US to collect information on how many school resource officers are in place in schools passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. The North Louisianan Congressman says before a comprehensive plan can be created to address school safety, more information is needed.

Cut 11 (08) “across the country”

A survey from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers indicates that 61 percent of union members support a statewide walkout or strike to accomplish their goals of better school funding and pay raises. The survey was inspired by a series of successful teacher’s strikes in other states. LFT president Larry Carter says teacher pay has stagnated since 2012, and is now clearly below the regional average.

Cut 17 (12)  “same period”

3,800 teachers responded to the survey

And a low pressure system in the gulf heading for the coast this Memorial Day weekend is picking up steam, and is now tagged for investigation by the National Hurricane Center. That means additional computer models will be simulated to provide a clearer picture on just how strong, and where the system may hit. Current, incomplete models indicate that it could land anywhere from New Orleans to Miami.

The special session kicks off today, giving legislators two weeks to come to an agreement on how to handle a 648 million dollar budget shortfall that threatens to potentially devastate healthcare and higher education. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he’s open to compromise plans, but will not support any budget that resembles those passed by the Louisiana House and Senate that either slashed healthcare or gutted higher ed and TOPS.

Cut 9 (10)  “do that”

US Representative Clay Higgins’ bill that would require the US to collect information on how many school resource officers are in place in schools passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. The North Louisianan Congressman says after the Parkland school shooting, he realized DC was lacking critical information on school safety.

Cut 10 (12)   “in america”

The bill is one of two pieces of legislation aimed at improving school safety, the other being an attempt to establish national standards and best practices for responding to school shootings

A survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers shows a clear majority would support a statewide strike for better pay. Michael Farrar has more.
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Michael Farrar”

A Monroe police officer was killed last night in a single vehice wreck. The officer was reportedly heading to another call when the vehicle hit a tree in a resident’s front law. The deceased officer has been identified as Ayrian Wiliams and more details will be released at a press conference later today.

State lawmakers begin a special session today to discuss ways revenue can be raised to cover up a 648-million dollar budget deficit that’s leaving higher education, TOPS and state agencies under funded. Governor John Bel Edwards says one possible solution that could soften cuts would be to renew a portion of an expiring one-cent sales tax….
cut 5 (08) “…nothing else”
Edwards also supports the elimination of some sales tax breaks for businesses.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says overnight facilities at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park near St. Martinville reopened this week after they were damaged in the 2016 August flood. Nungesser says Chemin A Haut State Park near Bastrop also had flood damage that year and renovated cabins will open Friday….
cut 15 (08) “….to enjoy”

A Louisiana Federation of Teachers survey indicates that 61 percent of union members support a statewide walkout or strike in order to spark pay raises. LFT president Larry Carter says they’re ready to send a message…
Cut 16 (09) “organized resistance”
59-percent said they would support a mass demonstration at the State Capitol.

The U-S House has approved CongressmanClay Higgins’ School Resource Officer Assessment Act which directs the federal government to compile data on the number of school resource officers assigned to public schools. Higgins is optimistic of Senate approval…
cut 12 (10) “…support”
Higgins says the first step in improving school safety, is to know what assets are on the ground and identify additional resources.

State lawmakers return to the capitol today for their sixth special session in three years. Legislators will be asked to approve tax measures to replace expiring sales taxes that have created a 648-million dollar budget gap. A week ago, the Edwards administration sent a warning letter to Medicaid patients in nursing homes that they could lose their benefits, because of a lack of state funding. House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris….
cut 7 (09) “…cover that”
One possible solution to the fiscal cliff is the renewing of a portion of a temporary one-cent sales tax. The Legislative Black Caucus opposed that idea in the February special session. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James on their current position…
cut 8 (08) “….are funded”

Another special session begins today, giving lawmakers two weeks to solve the 648 million dollar budget shortfall. Don Molino has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Don Molino“

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a 40-percent chance of a tropical depression or storm forming late this week in the central or eastern Gulf of Mexico. If this system approaches Louisiana, it could bring us heavy rains for the weekend, especially along the coast.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers released a survey of its members that shows 61-percent of them support a statewide walkout or strike, because of low teacher pay. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says average teacher salaries in Louisiana have been below the Southern average since the 2012-13 school year….
cut 18 (06) “….low pay”
59-percent of the respondents said they would support a small state income tax increase to fund raises.

With summer getting underway, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is looking at ways to improve our state parks system. Nungesser says he’s seeking private investment to enhance what state parks can offer…
cut 14 (11) “…new attractions”

The special session kicks off today, giving legislators two weeks to come to an agreement on how to handle a 648 million dollar budget shortfall that threatens to potentially devastate healthcare and higher education. A special session in February failed, and a budget with 648 million in cuts was vetoed, but Governor John Bel Edwards says this session will be different.
Cut 4 (12) “do better”
The Democratic governor has said he can support a proposal to keep up to a half penny of an expiring one-cent sales tax. House Republican Caucus Chairman Lance Harris says if Republicans agree to renew any of the expiring sales taxes, it would most likely be that expiring penny…
cut 6 (06) “…are filed”

A school safety bill by St. Landry Parish Congressman Clay Higgins has cleared the House and heads to the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) I’m Matt Doyle”

Authorities say a Monroe police officer was killed last night in a single vehicle crash. When more information comes available we will pass it a long.

The special session begins today, giving lawmakers two weeks to solve the 648 million dollar budget shortfall that’s hamstrung the legislative season. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (31) “Im Don Molino“

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Congressman Clay Higgins’ school safety bill clears the House and heads to the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Matt Doyle”

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A survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers shows a clear majority would support a statewide strike for better pay. Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Michael Farrar”

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The special session kicks off today, giving legislators two weeks to come to an agreement on how to handle a 648 million dollar budget shortfall that threatens to potentially devastate healthcare and higher education. A special session in February failed, and legislative attempts to craft a budget with 648 million in cuts were vetoed, but Governor Edwards says this will be different.

Cut 4  (12) “do better” 

The budget gap, known as the “fiscal cliff” is the result of sales taxes that are set to expire July 1^st.

Democrats and many Republicans agree that at least some of the expiring revenue will need to be replaced, and reports say a consensus may be growing around renewing half of the one penny sales tax that falls off in July. Edwards says it’s a compromise he may have to settle for.

Cut 5  (08)  “nothing else”

And GOP Chairman Lance Harris indicated that if Republicans do agree to renew any of the expiring taxes, it would most likely be some of that expiring penny.

Cut 6 (06) “are filed”

Harris believes Republicans will not push a final budget that resembles a spending plan similar to the one that passed the House that eliminated public-private partnership hospitals and Medicaid programs that pay for nursing homes for the elderly. He says Department of Health funding is not at risk, and chided the governor for sending eviction notice letters to patients whose housing was put at risk.

Cut 7 (09)  “cover that”

Many Democrats, specifically the black caucus, began the legislative season firmly stating that they would not support attempts to keep a portion of the expiring penny sales tax, because it unfairly targets the working class. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James indicated that the caucus may be open keeping some of that penny if it means fully funding healthcare and higher ed.

Cut 8 (08)  “are funded”

James says he’s open to compromise plans, but will not support any budget that resembles those passed by the Louisiana House and Senate that either slashed healthcare or gutted higher ed and TOPS.

Cut 9 (10)  “do that”

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US Representative Clay Higgins’ bill that would require the US to collect information on how many school resource officers are in place in schools passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. The North Louisianan Congressman says after the Parkland school shooting, he realized DC was lacking critical information on school safety.

Cut 10 (12)   “in america”

The bill is one of two pieces of legislation aimed at improving school safety, the other being an attempt to establish national standards and best practices for responding to school shootings. Higgins says before a comprehensive plan can be created to address school safety, more information is needed.

Cut 11 (08) “across the country”

Higgins says he’s optimistic that the bill will make it to the president’s desk.

Cut 12 (10) “support”

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Overnight facilities at two Louisiana State Parks are reopening after they were damaged by the 2016 floods. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announced that portions of the Lake Fausse Pointe State Park near St. Martinville opened Monday and newly renovated cabins at Chemin-A-Haut State Park near Bastrop will open Friday

Cut 13 (12)  “have flooded” 

Along with park restorations, Nungesser says his office is focusing on partnerships to improve the parks and bring back lost revenue from the floods.