An effort to abolish the death penalty suffered a major defeat today as the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against legislation that would prohibit lethal injections in Louisiana. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry marched a dozen religious groups to testify in favor of his bill.
Cut 14 (08) “tough decisions”
But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews didn’t agree with Landry’s bill, because he believes severe punishment should be on the books, if a person commits a first-degree murder or rape…
Cut 15 (11) “that are taken”
A similar bill is still alive in the senate, but if approved by the upper chamber, it would go before the same committee in the House.

Legislation to legalize fantasy sports betting in Louisiana is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state Senate unanimously approved legislation requiring public schools to display “In God We Trust” in their buildings. The proposal also calls for educators to teach students about the motto. Schools would be required to have the motto displayed by the 2019-2020 school year. The measure heads to the House next.

The announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Congressman Steve Scalise has as good a chance as anyone and that Louisiana would greatly benefit if he is House Speaker…

Cut 5  (10) “house speaker”

Scalise told the Associated Press that now is not the time for people to talk about what titles they want.

Senator John Kennedy wants to hold Facebook and it’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg accountable for any breach in privacy. He is testifying before House Energy and Commerce Committee about a data breach by a data firm with ties to President Trump’s campaign.   Kennedy says any trust that those 87-million users placed in Facebook is gone…

Cut 6 (12)  “western hemisphere.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says there needs to be severe consequences for first-degree murder and raping children under the age of 13….

Cut 13 (10) “be expected”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation on a 10 to 4 vote that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect winnings if they win contests hosted by third party groups like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. If the bill is approved, Louisiana could tax businesses that organize fantasy sports contests. And the bill’s author, Kirk Talbot gave fellow Representative Barbara Norton advice, if she decides to draft a fantasy sports team….

Cut 10 (12) “you get”

In Washington House Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election has sparked debate who will be the next House leader. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The Advocate newspaper reports the state Ethics Board has cleared four State Police troopers who were disciplined for taking a side trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon when they drove to a conference in San Diego. The ethics board says it was former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson who told them to make the over night stops.

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect money if they win contests hosted by groups like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says each parish will have a chance to decide if they want to authorize fantasy sports wagering
Cut 9 (11) “its allowed”
Louisiana Baptist office spokesperson Doctor Will Hall says legalizing fantasy sports betting is an expansion of gambling and it will create more problem gamblers….
Cut 12 (12) “problem gambling”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

Not heading to the House floor is a bill that would abolish the death penalty, it was killed in the House Criminal Justice committee.

An effort to abolish the death penalty suffered a major defeat today as the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against legislation that would prohibit lethal injections in Louisiana. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry marched a dozen religious groups to testify in favor of his bill.
Cut 14 (08) “tough decisions”
But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews didn’t agree with Landry’s bill, because he believes severe punishment should be on the books, if a person commits a first-degree murder or rape…
Cut 15 (11) “that are taken”
A similar bill is still alive in the senate, but if approved by the upper chamber, it would go before the same committee in the House.

Legislation to legalize fantasy sports betting in Louisiana is heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy has made national headlines for his harsh criticism of Facebook’s user agreement. Kennedy says the company needs to make it clear what information they collect and share…
cut 8 (11) “….Facebook punchbowl”

The House Criminal Justice Committee voted down a bill seeking to end the death penalty in Louisiana. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says there needs to be severe consequences for first-degree murder and raping children under the age of 13….
cut 13 (10) “…to be expected”
The vote failed on a 10-8 vote, but a similiar bill is still alive in the Senate.

On a 10-to-4 vote, the House Criminal Justice Commitee approved a bill that would give each parish the opportunity to decide if they want to legalize fantasy sports betting. It has Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle’s support…
cut 11 (09) “…from them”
If approved, Louisiana would have the opportunity to tax the businesses that run fantasy sports contests like Fan Duel and Draft Kings.
A bill by New Orleans Democratic Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was overwhelmingly defeated on the Senate floor. Carter believes his legislation is necessary as a result of the recent mass shootings. But Central Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys, who want to cause a lot of harm….
Cut 15 (12) “are insane”
The vote was 26 to 9 against.
Louisiana U-S Senator John Kennedy says he does not want to regulate Facebook, but he’ll vote to do so, if the social media site doesn’t do more to make sure users personal data is protected. Kennedy also says it’s fine if Facebook is as a place to gain information, but it shouldn’t have political bias….
cut 7 (12) “…completely neutral”

Senator John Kennedy wants to hold Facebook and it’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg accountable for any breach in privacy. He is testifying before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about a data breach affecting as many as 87-million Facebook users. Kennedy says any trust that users placed in Facebook is no more…

Cut 6 (12)  “western hemisphere.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approves legislation that would allow fantasy sports players in Louisiana to collect winnings if they win contests hosted by third party groups The bill’s author, Kirk Talbot gave fellow Representative Barbara Norton advice, if she decides to draft a fantasy sports team….

Cut 10 (12) “you get”

In Washington House Speaker Paul Ryan’s announcement that he will not seek re-election has sparked debate over who will run. Jim Shannon has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all-time high.    Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

In Washington the announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s, R-Wisconsin, decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. New Orleans area representative Steve Scalise’s name has popped up for consideration. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says if it were up to President Trump, Salise would have the job.

Cut 4 (10) “will decide.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

Governor Edwards says many who have recently diagnosed with cancer, are able to receive medical care with expansion…

Cut 9 (10)  “too late.”

A bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was killed on the Senate floor. The 9 to 26 vote ends that anti-gun legislation for the rest of the session. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys.

Cut 16 (:08) the theatre.”

In Washington the announcement of House Speaker Paul Ryan’s decision not to seek re-election has sparked debate over who might be the next Speaker. New Orleans area representative Steve Scalise’s name has popped up for consideration. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says Scalise has as good a chance as anyone.

Cut 3 (:17) “Paul Ryan”

The Louisiana House voted 88-to-3 to lower the threshold for voters to recall elected officials. A recall petition now needs a third of registered voters to sign the petition within six months to hold an election. But Representative Paul Hollis’ bill would lower those requirements. The bill now heads to the senate.

A bill to allow licensed riverboat casinos to expand their operations to land hasn’t moved in two weeks. Black senators are also not happy that earlier in the session the upper chamber voted against a proposal to raise the minimum wage. Senator Troy Carter says instead of providing a living wage, many low income workers are forced to rely on these casinos to provide for their families.

Cut 6 (09) “the jackpot..”

More than 19,200 senior high school students qualified for at least one TOPS scholarship, up from 18,373 in 2016. Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities Ken Bradford says many graduating seniors are ready to attend a college or university. But the hope is that they can afford it…

Cut 13 (09)  “workstudy grants.”

A bill to allow the state’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos to expand their gaming operations on to land and change the rules regarding gaming space has been sitting on the Senate floor for over two weeks, but a vote in the upper chamber could happen today.

Black legislators have also raised concerns that casinos fail to contract with enough minority-owned firms and they also believe there’s a lack of minorities in management at the gambling halls. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says he’s had good dialogue with concerned legislators

Cut 7 (09)  “passing this.”

The number of eligible graduates in Louisiana achieving TOPS reaches an all time high. More than 19,200 senior high school students qualified for at least one scholarship, up from 18,373 in 2016. Superintendent for the Office of Student Opportunities Ken Bradford says if TOPS funding is cut due to a  one-billion-dollar budget shortfall, a lot of high school students hoping for a scholarship may be disappointed…

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A bill by New Orleans Senator Troy Carter to ban the sale of assault rifles to people under 21 was killed on the Senate floor. The 9 to 26 vote ends that anti-gun legislation for the rest of the session. Baton Rouge area Senator Bodie White says the bill is not strong enough to stop the bad guys.White compared the domestic killers to terrorists.

Cut 15 (12) “are insane”

Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

Cut 8 (08)  “the state.”

18 year olds will still be able to purchase assault rifles in Louisiana.  Michael Farrar has more.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Michael Farrar.”

A bill to allow the state’s 15 licensed riverboats casinos to expand their gaming operations on to land and change the rules regarding gaming space has been sitting on the Senate floor for over two weeks, but a vote in the upper chamber could happen today.

But the author of the bill, Lake Charles Senator, Ronnie Johns says requiring riverboats to only conduct gambling on water prohibits these facilities from making a substantial investment in their properties….

Cut 5  (07)  “over water.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards and state Health Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee unveiled a report on the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. Edwards says according to the LSU report, Louisiana is saving 317-million dollars in state money and providing medical care to those who can’t afford it…

The report says Medicaid expansion through the infusion of one-point-eight billion dollars in federal dollars has created over 19-thousand jobs in the health care sector, resulting in  nearly three-point-six-billion-dollars in economic activity. Dr. Gee says healthy people are important to the state’s economy. She says if you’re sick, you’re not a productive person…

Cut 10 (07) “can work.”

The senate judiciary A committee voted 4-2 to delay the raise the age act, which was scheduled to go into effect july first. Under the act the state would stop treating 17 year olds as adults and take care of their offenses through the juvenile justice system. The bill now moves to the full senate.