The Senate approves legislation to allow children to wear bulletproof backpacks at public schools…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Senate also approves a bill that makes it clear bestiality is illegal in Louisiana. A law on the books prohibits crimes against nature, but it also outlaws sodomy and it was ruled unconstitutional in 2003. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says its important the state has a way to arrest someone for bestiality
Cut 13 (05) “to children”
A 24-7 Wall Street report shows Louisiana taxpayers are tied for fifth in the least amount of taxes paid to local and state governments. LSU economist Doctor Jim Richardson says this state has been a low tax state for years….
Cut 10 (11) “at all”
The report shows Louisiana residents pay just 8-percent of their income to state and local governments.

Coming up for discussion in a Senate committee this morning is a bill that would increase the penalties for teachers who engage in sexual acts with students. Louisiana has seen its share of teachers arrested for having sex with students. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says his proposal calls for a prison sentence between 5 to 40 years if convicted…
cut 16 (08) “…a felony”

A survey by 24-7 Wall Street shows Louisiana residents pay just 8-percent of their income to state and local governments. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 2 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Louisiana Sheriff Association Executive Director Michael Ranatza told the House Appropriations committee that there are 13-hundred people in local jails that have been waiting to go on trial for at least four years. Ranataza says sheriff departments are spending a lot of money to house those who are accused.

The full Senate approves legislation that allows students to wear bulletproof backpacks in a school. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says he filed the legislation in response to the tragic school shooting in Florida in which 17 people were killed…
cut 9 (10) “…guarantee”
The measure heads to the House for more discussion.

And in the House Transportation Committee today, a bill will be heard that makes it illegal to handle your phone while driving. Texting and driving is currently illegal in Louisiana, but advocate Suzanne Salter says very few ticekts are written…
cut 6 (11) “…than five”
Salter’s daughter was killed in 2014 wreck caused by a texting driver.

Louisiana students performed poorly on the National Assessment of Education Progress exams. The state’s fourth-graders had the worst math scores in the nation and finished 49th in reading. Eighth graders didn’t perform much better, 50th in math and 48th in reading. Last year was the first time, fourth graders took the math portion of the exam on a computer.

Emotional testimony is expected this morning in the House Transportation committee where they’ll vote on a “hands free” bill while driving. Suzanne Salter says the measure by Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval doesn’t say you can’t talk on a cell phone while driving, it just can’t be in your hand…
cut 5 (10) “….steering wheel”
Salter’s daughter was killed in a car wreck caused by a texting driver.

A 24-7 Wall Street report says Louisiana is ranked fifth in the nation in the least amount of taxes paid to local and state governments. LSU Economist Doctor Jim Richardson….
cut 11 (08) “…property taxes”
The report shows Louisiana residents pay just eight percent of their income to state and local governments.

The Senate has approved legislation that makes it clear Louisiana prohibits the sexual abuse of animals. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the bill also makes it illegal to traffick animals for sex acts, which he says happens in Louisiana…..
cut 14 (04) “….explaining it”
But despite its passage, 10 senators voted against the bill. Morrell said during floor discussion some lawmakers believed the legislation was too ambiguous. The measure still needs House approval before heading to the governor’s desk.

The Senate also approved a bill that allows students to wear bulletproof backpacks in school.

Do you think your taxes are too high? A new report has Louisiana tied for fifth for least amount of taxes paid as a 24-7 Wall Street report says on a per capita basis, just eight-percent of our income goes to state and local governments. LSU Economist Doctor Jim Richardson says this report will not change the mind of many…
cut 12 (08) “….taxed enough”
The report shows that state income tax collections per capita is 13th lowest, and property tax collections is 8th lowest.

Lawmakers approve legislation to allow students to have a bulletproof backpack at school. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says parents are looking at ways to make sure their children can protect themselves, if a shooter enters the school. He says this is one option
Cut 7 (12) “200 dollars”
The measure heads to the House.

Emotional testimony is expected in the House Transportation committee today as a bill will be heard, requiring drivers to use only hands free communication devices. Suzanne Salter will testify in favor. Salter says her daughter was killed in 2014 by a teenage driver who was texting at the time of the fatal crash..
Cut 4 (09) “her phone”
State law says you can’t text while you drive. But Salter says by making it illegal to have your hands on your cellphone while behind the wheel, enforcement will be easier.

Legislation that increases penalties for teachers who engage in sexual acts with students is set for a hearing in a Senate committee today. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti’s bill makes such an offense a felony and also expands the law to include team doctors. He says the measure was inspired by the sexual abuse charges against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar
Cut 15 (11) “take it seriously”

A 24-7 Wall Street report shows Louisiana taxpayers are tied for fifth in the least amount of taxes paid to local and state governments. LSU economist Doctor Jim Richardson says this state has been a low tax state for years….
Cut 10 (11) “at all”
The report shows Louisiana residents pay just 8-percent of their income to state and local governments.

The state Senate approves legislation that would allow students to have bulletproof backpacks in public schools. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell was one of two senators who voted agains tthe bill, because even police officers who wear bulletproof vests suffer serious injuries after getting shot….
cut 8 (12) “…enter a school”
The measure moves to the House for more discussion.

Legislation that makes it illegal to have your hands on your phone while driving is set to be heard by the House Transportation committee today…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

The Senate approves a bill that makes it clear bestiality is illegal in Louisiana. A law on the books prohibits crimes against nature, but it also outlaws sodomy and it was ruled unconstitutional in 2003. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says its important the state has a way to arrest someone for bestiality
Cut 13 (05) “to children”
The bill heads to the House.

Governor John Bel Edwards is continuing his pledge to end the regular legislative session early, so a special session can begin to take up revenue raising measures that he says are needed to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. Testifying in the Senate Finance Committee, Edwards again urged early dismissal.
Cut 3 (:12) “that’s responsible”
But chairman of the House Republican Legislative delegation, Lance Harris, says we’ll have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets Thursday…
cut 6 (09) “…..from there”
Harris says the House Appropriations Committee plans on approving a spending plan for next fiscal year next week.

The full Senate approves a bill to allow children to wear bulletproof backpacks at school. It’s currently illegal to wear body armor on school property. The author of the bill is West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth who says he filed the bill after a shooting at a Florida school shooting killed 17 people….
cut 9 (10) “…can’t guarantee”
The measure moves to the House for more discussion.

Emotional testimony is expected Tuesday morning in the House Transportation committee where they’ll vote on a “hands free” bill while driving. Suzanne Salter says the measure by Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval doesn’t say you can’t talk on a cell phone while driving, it just can’t be in your hand…
cut 5 (10) “….steering wheel”
Salter’s daughter was killed in a car wreck caused by texting a driver.

Governor Edwards says despite expiring temporary sales taxes on June 30th, the state cannot approve a budget in the regular session that adequately funds TOPS, higher education and health care. He says a special session is needed so revenues can be raised and put the state in a good fiscal posture…

Cut 4 (13) “job done.”

House Republican legislative leader Lance Harris says they are determining if they can pass a budget by making cuts and using savings to fill the deficit.

Cut 5 (09) “we’re in”

Harris says they will have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets on Thursday

A lethal shooting early Sunday morning in Baton Rouge has authorities thinking the victim, 18 year old Brice Lewis, might have been attempting to break into vehicles by an apartment complex. According to the apartment manager who said she saw surveillance video, claims the person who shot Lewis drove away. Corporal Don Coppola says they would like to talk with that person…

Cut 9 (08) “they may have”

Coppola says they are still seeking the person who shot Lewis.

Gas prices have held steady for the week and Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the jump in gas prices we see every spring appears to be over. Redman says despite a strong demand, the statewide average for regular gasoline has been holding at $2.44

Cut 13 (06) “prices”

Redman expects fuel prices to rise slightly when the summer driving season arrives.

Gas prices usually rise in the spring time as refineries shut down operations to switch from a winter grade gasoline to a summer grade. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the price at the pump has increased 11-cents over the last month, but much of that increase occurred in the weeks leading up to Easter weekend….

Cut 14 (10) “very shortly.”

Redman says there could be a slight increase in the price when the summer driving season arrives.

A case of measles is confirmed today by Louisiana state health officials. A traveler from the United Kingdom was hospitalized over the weekend in New Orleans. Test results for measles came back positive. The virus is known to be highly contagious with symptoms that can include high fever, runny nose, followed by red spots on their skin. The Louisiana Department of Health says the best protection against measles infection is vaccination.

A bill that requires instruction and display of the national motto, “In God We Trust’ in public schools passed out of the Senate Finance committee today. Don Molino has the story…
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

Baton Rouge Police detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in which the person who died is suspected of breaking into vehicles at the time. Corporal Don Coppola says 18-year-old Brice Lewis died at the scene early Sunday morning
Cut 7 (07) “struck him”
Coppola says the Baton Rouge Police are still looking for the person who shot Lewis.

Governor John Bel Edwards is continuing his pledge to end the regular legislative session early, so a special session can begin to take up revenue raising measures that he says are needed to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. Testifying in the Senate Finance Committee, Edwards again urged early dismissal.
Cut 3 (:12) “that’s responsible”
But chairman of the House Republican Legislative delegation, Lance Harris, says we’ll have a better idea on how much money the state has available to spend when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets Thursday…
cut 6 (09) “…..from there”
Harris says the House Appropriations Committee plans on approving a spending plan for next fiscal year next week.

Triple-A says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is holding steady at $2.44. Fuel analyst Don Redman anticipates gas prices will only increase slightly once the summer driving season begins….
cut 15 (09) “…the summer”
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg says the cheapest gas in the nation can be found in Baton Rouge.

Authorities in the capital city are seeking a man who fatally shot an 18-year-old, who was allegedly breaking into vehicles at an apartment complex Sunday morning. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant Don Coppola says there is surveillance video of the shooting…
cut 8 (07) “…from it”
Brice Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.

And the search continues today for a missing four-year-old boy in Claiborne Parish. Authorities say Junior Phillips wandered away from home last Thursday while outside with the mother’s boyfriend.

Governor John Bel Edwards continues to push legislators to end the regular session early, so a special session can be called in May to address a looming one-billion dollar revenue shortfall. Edwards says without new revenues to replace expiring sales taxes, a budget can’t be passed in the regular session that adequately funds TOPS, public colleges and health care…
cut 4 (13) “…job done”

Gasoline prices held steady for the week and Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says the jump in prices we typically see every spring appears to be over. Redman says despite a strong demand, the statewide average for regular gasoline has been holding at $2.44
Cut 13 (06) “prices”
Redman anticipates a slight increase once the summer driving season begins.

A bill that requires instruction and display of the national motto, “In God We Trust’ in public schools passed out of the Senate Finance committee today. Don Molino has the story…
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Don Molino”

Baton Rouge Police investigators are looking for a person who shot an 18-year-old man who was allegedly breaking into cars at an apartment complex. According to the property manager, who said she saw the video, the person who shot Brice Lewis drove away. Sergeant Don Coppola says they would like to talk with the shooter…
cut 9 (09) “…they may have”