A third special session is likely after lawmakers failed to address the fiscal cliff as the second special session of the year ended last night at midnight. 648-million dollars in temporary taxes are set to expire on July 1st and many House Republicans are not willing to pass a sales tax bill to replace much of the lost revenue. Americans for Prosperity State Director John Kay says it’s time to reduce state spending…
Cut 11 (06) “the budget”
The budget approved by legislators would reduce higher education funding by 96-million dollars and TOPS would be funded at 70-percent. UL System President Doctor Jim Henderson says he holds out hope that revenue will be found in the expected third special session to cover up the shortfall…
cut 4 (11) “…work on”

A report is recommending a reduction in the use of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (28) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

A budget approved by lawmakers in the final hour of the second special session would reduce higher education funding by 96-million dollars and TOPS would be funded at 70-percent.  President of the University of Louisiana System Dr. Jim Henderson says the idea of cuts to higher ed and TOPS is disappointing.

Cut 3 (08)   “…of those people.” 
Dr. Henderson says going back on the promise of a fully funded TOPS scholarship is a message that the state should not want to convey to the students.

As another special session failed this year, the governor has a few options to move forward. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says the governor may have to accept the House plan, which would set the sales tax rate at 4.3 percent after July 1^st.  Fletcher says everyone has to compromise.

Cut 7 (11)  “the governor”

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Governor Edwards has signed legislation that expands the number of diseases that can receive prescriptions for medical marijuana once it becomes available later this summer. But will we see an attempt to legalize the receational use of pot. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James anticipates a bill next year to green light recreational use…
cut 9 (11) “…pay down our debt”
Governor Edwards has previously said he opposes legalizing recreational marijuana use.

Now, your commodity price report

The state legislature approved a budget as the special session ended last night, but a sales tax proposal did not make it through, which means TOPS and public colleges are underfunded for next fiscal year. A bill to replace an expiring one-cent sales tax with a half-cent tax failed by six votes in the House. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s embarassed by the lack of cooperation in the legislature…
cut 15 (12) “….underfunded”
Edwards says another special session will be held. Political consultant Roy Fletcher says the governor may have to accept the House plan, which would set the sales tax rate at 4-point-3-percent after July 1st…
cut 6 (11) “…out of here”

More illnesses will be eligible to be treated with medical marijuana under a bill signed by the governor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I”m Kevin Barnhart“

A strong line of thunderstorms is moving through central Louisiana at this hour. The National Weather says half inch hail and winds in excess of 40 miles per hour are possible with these storms and Alexandria, Bunkie, Moreauville, Leesville and DeRidder are some of the communities that could be impacted.

The second special session of the year crashed and burned at midnight last night, when lawmakers failed to pass a sales tax bill and that could result in a 30-percent cut to TOPS and a 20-percent reduction in higher education funding next fiscal year. The key moment was the House rejecting a Senate backed sales tax plan to replace 648-million dollars in expiring revenue. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson laid the blame for the session’s failure at a large group of House Republicans….
Cut 13 (12) “human beings”
The Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana released a statement commending lawmakers who voted against the sales tax bill. State Director John Kay says state government should live within its means and if another special session is called, it would be a waste of taxpayer money.

Under legislation signed by the governor, glaucoma, PTSD, Parkinson’s and other conditions have been added to the list of illnesses that will be eligible to receive a prescription for medical marijuana once it becomes available at selected pharmacies later this year. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says his bill will also result in a cost savings for the state….
cut 8 (09) “….fiscal savings”

The Secretary of State’s office has been warning the public that Louisiana has aging voting machines and now we have a price tag for replacing them, 60 million dollars. The feds have offered to chip in with nearly 6 million to get the process started. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it will not happen overnight.
Cut 4 (10) “five parishes”

A second special session ended last night without an agreement on how to replace an expring one-cent sales tax, leaving the state short when it comes to fully funding TOPS and higher ed. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
Governor Edwards is expected to call another special session.

Scattered thunderstorms are possible today across Louisiana and we are already seeing heavy rainfall from a cluster of storms moving through northwest Louisiana.

More Louisiana residents will have the ability to treat ailments with medical marijuana once it becomes available later this year. The bill had bipartisan support in what was an otherwise contentious regular session. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the bill which was authored by Baton Rouge Representative Ted James.
Cut 7 (:12) “…make life more enjoyable”
PTSD and Parkinsons are among the conditions now eligible for medical pot under this legislation.

A new study finds that chemotherapy may no longer be needed for those diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. LSU Health New Orleans Director of Precision Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele (Mee-Lah) says the results are expected to spare up to 70-thousand patients a year in the U-S the ordeal and expense of chemotherapy…
cut 12 (08) “…there was no guidance”

The state legislature approved a budget as the special session ended last night, but a sales tax proposal did not make it through the process, which means TOPS and public colleges are underfunded for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. State agencies are also looking at a cut. A bill to replace an expiring one-cent sales tax with a half-cent tax failed by six votes in the House. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s embarassed by the lack of cooperation in the legislature…
cut 15 (12) “….underfunded”
Governor Edwards says the body’s failure means another special session will be called, costing taxpayers 50-thousand dollars a day.

Americans for Propserity-Louisiana is applauding House members for what they say taking a principled stand against tax increases. The group says state government needs to live within its means.

The Secretary of State’s office is accepting proposals to replace the state’s 10-thousand Election Day and Early Voting Machines. Meanwhile, interim Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the department is moving on after the resignation of Tom Schedler, who is named in a sexual harassment lawsuit. Ardoin says steps have been taken to correct alleged mistakes in the past…
cut 6 (10) “….behavior”

Good news for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, a new study finds chemotherapy may no longer be needed. Doctor Lucio Miele (MEE-LAH) says researchers have found that chemotheraphy treatment in up to 70-percent of the cases could cause problems if the cancer returns…
cut 11 (07) “….hormone therapy and chemotherapy”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.

For the second time this year, a special session has ended without the passage of a tax bill to avoid deep cuts across state government when the new fiscal year starts July 1st. The House and Senate could not agree on a sales tax proposal. House GOP leaders did not like the Senate’s proposal which would have generated 500 million dollars. Governor John Bel Edwards calls it a sad day for the state and a minority in the House let politics take priority over people…
cut 16 (09) “…do better”
Lawmakers were able to approve a budget for next fiscal year, but without additional revenues it will result in a 30-percent cut to TOPS, colleges would see a 96-million dollar reduction, public safety programs and the department of children and family services would also see cuts . It’s similar to a budget approved in the regular session, which the governor vetoed.

Governor Edwards has signed legislation that expands the number of diseases that can receive prescriptions for medical marijuana once it becomes available later this summer. But will we see an attempt to legalize the receational use of pot. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James anticipates a bill next year to green light recreational use…
cut 9 (11) “…pay down our debt”
Governor Edwards has previously said he opposes legalizing recreational marijuana use.

A report is recommending a reduction in the use of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (28) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Lawmakers failed to pass a sales tax bill last night to fund a budget that now calls for cuts to TOPS and higher ed. Matt Doyle has more….
Voicer 3 (32) “Im Matt Doyle”

In the session’s final hour, New Orleans Representative Walt Leger brought a sales tax bill up for a vote that would raise about 500-million dollars, but Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras had concerns about the legislation…
cut 14 (06) “…objects”

About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and now, a new study has found that many breast cancer patients can skip chemo. Dr. Lucio Miele (MEE-LAH) of LSU Health New Orleans chimes in…
Cut 10 (09) “… the answer is yes.”
The report, which is being considered a landmark study, is the largest ever done of breast cancer treatment, and comes as the focus turns to cases where chemo’s value increasingly is in doubt.

There is a marginal risk for severe weather across much of the state today. The main threats are strong winds and locally heavy rainfall. We are already seeing scattered thunderstorms this morning along the I-20 corridor.

More illnesses will be eligible to be treated with medical marijuana under a bill signed by the governor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I”m Matt Doyle“

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A report is recommending a reduction in the use of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 2 (26) ”  I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The last ditch special session compromise tax bill failed, leading to the passage of a budget that slashes TOPS and higher ed. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “Im Matt Doyle”

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The Secretary of State’s office has been warning the public that Louisiana has aging voting machines that could fall apart, and now we have a price tag for replacing them, 60 million dollars. The feds have offered to chip in with nearly 6 million to get the process started. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it’s not going to happen overnight.

Cut 4  (10) “five parishes” 

Ardoin says that means thousands of machines will have to be repaired or replaced, overhauling the

Cut 5  (08)  “this year”\

The office is still reeling from sexual harassment allegations that led to the resignation of former Secretary of State Tom Schedler. Ardoin worked closely with Schedler as First Assistant, and says a new culture of “if you see something, say something” needs to be enforced.

Cut 6 (10) “behavior”

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More Louisiana residents will have the ability to treat ailments with medical marijuana. Despite some early objections, the bill gathered surprsing bipartisan support in what was an otherwise contentious regular session. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the bill which was authored by Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Ted James.

Cut 7 (:12)  “…make life more enjoyable”

It adds glaucoma, PTSD, Parkinson’s and other ailments to list of illnesses eligible for medical marijuana.  In addition to the medical benefits, James says the state is expecting to see monetary benefits as well.

Cut 8 (:11)  “…this has been a fiscal savings.”

With the expansion of medical marijuana, The Baton Rouge Democrat anticipates a bill in  2019 to potentially green light recreational use. He says he’s already heard from some of his colleagues across the isle that the legislation would get serious consideration from some Republican lawmakers who are interested in the fiscal benefits.

Cut 9 (:12)  “…pay down our debt.”

Medical marijuana is expected to be available later in the summer.

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About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime and now, a new study has found that many breast cancer patients can skip chemo.  Dr. Lucio Miele (MEE-LAH) of LSU  Health New Orleans chimes in…

Cut 10 (09)   “… the answer is yes.”

The report, which is being considered a landmark study, is the largest ever done of breast cancer treatment, and comes as the focus turns to cases where chemo’s value increasingly is in doubt. Miele says chemo’s prevalence came from a risk mitigation mentally in the medical field.

Cut 11 (12) “…hormone therapy and chemotherapy.”

There are some that are hesitant to put their full faith into the studies results after years of campaigns advocating for chemotherapy.  Dr. Miele says it is time to trust the research.

Cut 12 (12) “…there really was no guidance.”

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.

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A special session compromise tax bill crashed and burned last night as lawmakers failed to pass a tax bill, leading to a last second budget that cuts TOPS by 30 percent, and higher ed by 20 percent.  The key moment of the night was the House’s 64-40 rejection of a Senate backed tax plan. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson laid the blame for the session’s failure at the 40 House member’s feet.

Cut 13 (12)  “human beings” 

That Senate backed plan would have raised 507 million dollars by renewing half of the expiring penny sales tax, and fully funding TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare. The bill received opposition from key Republican leaders House GOP Chairman Lance Harris, and Speaker Taylor Barras who questioned some of the tax’s legitimacy.

Its deadline day at the capitol, and lawmakers only have until the clock strikes midnight to reach an agreement on a budget and a sales tax bill to fund it, before the special session ends. The Senate sent an updated budget and tax bill to the House last night. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says he expects a deal to be cut before the end of the night.

Cut 3 (10)   “do things” 

The Senate’s budget and tax plan would raise a half penny sales tax to fully fund TOPS, higher ed, and healthcare, while the House would prefer a third penny sales tax and additional budget cuts. Erwin says the final compromise bill may not fully fund all programs, but it should come close.

Cut 4 (11) “fully funded”

Earlier today the House rejected senate budget amendments that would have fully funded TOPS higher ed and healthcare.

More Louisiana residents will have the ability to treat ailments with medical marijuana. Despite some early objections, the bill gathered surprsing bipartisan support in what was an otherwise contentious regular session. Gov. John Bel Edwards signed the bill which was authored by Baton Rouge Democrat Rep. Ted James.

Cut 7 (:12)  “…make life more enjoyable”

It adds glaucoma, PTSD, Parkinson’s and other ailments to list of illnesses eligible for medical marijuana.

With the expansion of medical marijuana, The Baton Rouge Democrat anticipates a bill in  2019 to potentially green light recreational use. He says he’s already heard from some of his colleagues across the isle that the legislation would get serious consideration from some Republican lawmakers who are interested in the fiscal benefits.

Cut 9 (:12)  “…pay down our debt.”