The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee made major changes to a sales tax renewal bill by removing more exemptions, which means businesses will be forced to pay more in sales taxes. The proposal would raise 642-million dollars, which nearly adresses the entire projected revenue shortfall and Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says the legislation would prevent deep cuts. Luneau also criticized Republicans for proposing to reduce government spending, but not identifying what shouldn’t be funded…
cut 14 (08) “…from us”
The House approved a sales tax bill that would generate 365-million dollars that can be used to fill a 648-million dollar revenue shortfall. A House Republican leader predicts the Senate’s version is unlikely to pass in the lower chamber.

Starting with the 2019-20 school year, public schools will be required to display the motto “In God We Trust” and the schools will have also have to teach students about the motto. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says she doesn’t see the new law infringing upon someone’s religious opinion and it is a motto in which this country was founded on…
cut 11 (07) “…prayer”
The legislation is not expected to cost schools that much money, because they could display the motto on paper.

On paper LSU and Northwestern State face a difficult Regional in Corvallis, Oregon. You can bet there will be LSU fans arriving today and tomorrow in the Pacific Northwest and Sean Fredenburg with the LSU Alumni Association Portland Chapter says Louisiana fans will find lovely weather…
cut 9 (08) “…it’s beautiful”
Meanwhile, the Bayou State is expecting triple digit heat this weekend.

A Senate committee has made major changes to GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ sales tax bill and now the legislation will raise enough revenue to fill a projected budget shortfall for next fiscal year. The panel removed more sales tax exemptions than what the House called for and Harris doesn’t see the Senate version passing the lower chamber…
Cut 13 (09) “the bill”
The revised sales tax bill eliminates sales tax exemptions for manufacturing machinery, farm equipment and business utilities, which would produce an extra 300-million dollars.

A bill requiring public schools to display, and instruct students on the motto “In God We Trust” was signed by the governor after facing little opposition in the legislature. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow on why she filed the bill….
Cut 10 (07) “school system”

Even though Republicans in Washington D-C failed in their effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act Louisiana GOP Senator Bill Cassidy says discussions continue on how to make health care affordable care. Cassidy has released a White paper report and one thing he’s really looking at is the wide variety of costs for prescription drugs…
cut 5 (10) “…hundred dollars”
Cassidy says the U-S Senate remains split on health care, so it’s unclear when another attempt will be made to reform health care.

ator Bill Cassidy has a new proposal that he says will drive down healthcare prices. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I”m Matt Doyle“

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Even though Corvallis is 24-hundred miles away from Baton Rouge, expect to see LSU fans at this weekend’s regional. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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It was a heated night in Senate Revenue as the committee made huge changes to GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill. Matt Doyle has the story.

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US Senator Bill Cassidy says just because last year’s Obamacare repeal failed, doesn’t mean he’s going to stop chasing healthcare reform. The Senator has released a plan he says will help expand access and drive down prices. Cassidy says the first step is enforcing price transparency for medical care providers.

Cut 4  (11) “place else” 

Cassidy says he was recently inspired by a Consumer Reports investigation that had secret shoppers call around for prescription prices, where they found a huge variation in cost.

Cut 5  (10)  “hundred dollars”

Cassidy is optimistic that they can make progress on healthcare reform, in light of the cooperation coming from a bipartisan healthcare panel that’s shown some progress. He says his proposal should have legs.

Cut 6 (09) “voting for”

The proposal also includes plans to allow insurers to tie prescription costs to international prices, seeks a reduction of hospital monopolies, and calls for an increase to subsidies to young people’s health insurance, as well as allowing employers to not provide health insurance to employees.

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Corvallis, Oregon, is nearly 2500 miles away from Baton Rouge, but you can still expect a good contingent of LSU Fans in attendance for this weekend’s NCAA Regional at Oregon State. Sean Fredenburg with the LSU Alumni Association Portland Chapter says the Fighting Tigers do not play often in the Pacific Northwest but when they do there’s a lot of Purple and Gold…

Cut 7 (8)  “out here”

Fredenburg says he hasn’t heard of any tailgate parties before the games but if there is a good number of Tiger fans in Corvallis they can make their presence known.

Cut 8 (13)  “pretty amazing”  

Fredenburg says that the area provides good food and environment for any fans planning to make the trip, with perfect weather for baseball season

Cut 9 (8)  “it’s beautiful”

LSU will face San Diego State to begin the tournament on Friday at 3 P.M.

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A bill requiring public schools to display, and instruct students on the motto “In God We Trust” was signed by the governor after facing little opposition in the legislature. Baton Rouge Representative Regina Barrow says the country is facing a moral crisis related to taking god out of public schools.

Cut 10 (07)   “school system”

Barrow says she was inspired by the Governor’s prayer breakfast, and that the practice of praying starts off every meeting at the capital.

Cut 11 (07) “prayer”

The Democrat says religious education and the acknowledgement of god needs to be taking place in public schools, because many parents are choosing not to spread those teachings to their children when they get out of class.

Cut 12 (09) “at home”

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GOP House Chairman Lance Harris’ tax bill underwent huge changes in a Senate committee. The legislation would now renew one third of the expiring penny sales, but eliminate hundreds of millions in tax deductions that plug the full 648 million dollar budget gap. Harris says his original version that included 283 million in budget cuts was take it or leave it, and the committee decided to leave it.

Cut 13 (09)  “the bill” 

The Governor signed a series of bills that passed through the legislature and ended up on his desk, that cover a wide range from abortion, to fantasy sports. One of the issues the governor signed off on was Senator Neil Riser’s legislation that removes a training mandate that was passed in 2010, requiring anyone who brings a weapon into a church, mosque, synagogues or other religious building to take an additional eight hours of weapons training before entering the premises.

The governor also signed a 15 week abortion ban that closely mirrors an effort in Mississippi that is under a federal court challenge. The legislation flew through the legislature, and marks a notable separation between Edwards and the national Democratic Party. The legislation would only go into effect if Mississippi’s ban survive a court challenge.

And an expansion of the State’s earned income tax credit passed the senate and is on its way to the House. Bill Sponsor Senator JP Morell.

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Online fantasy sports gaming will be on the ballot for parish approval in November after grabbing the governor’s signature. The legislation by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot breezed through the legislature this year after past attempts stalled out. Talbot says it just took some time to educate lawmakers about why fantasy sports is not the same as sports betting.

Cut 6 (07)  “consist of”

He says its closer to a game than gaming.

Cut 7 (06)  “of skill”

Talbot fully expects many parishes will approve the measure in fall. Once that happens, the state will go about putting together a framework to generate some revenue off of the games.

cut 8 (10) “the spring”

A 29-year-old man and his four-year-old daughter were killed in LaPlace last night. Jeff Palermo reports the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s office believes it was a single gunman…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

St. Tammany President Pat Brister sent a letter to the governor asking the state to expedite road expansion on I-12 in her parish after a crash led to four dead on Saturday. But State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they just don’t have the money right now.

Cut 10 (08) “things back”

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s office has charged two teens from the Opelousas area with aggravated kidnapping of a child and negligent homicide for their roles in the death of an 11-year-old girl in a car crash.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 19-year-old Kelvin Monte and 17-year-old Jon’Torras Bryant picked up Bryla Bell from her home in Lawtell and were eventually stopped by Opelousas Police

Cut 12 (12)   “she crashed”

Online fantasy sports gaming will be on the ballot for parish approval in November after grabbing the governor’s signature. The legislation by River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot breezed through the legislature this year after past attempts stalled out. Talbot says it just took some time to educate lawmakers about why fantasy sports is not the same as sports betting.

Cut 6 (07)  “consist of”

Talbot fully expects many parishes will approve the measure in fall.

According to the Associated Press, Governor John Bel Edwards has signed into law a bill that prohibits an abortion after the 15-week mark of a pregnancy. It will only take effect if the federal courts uphold a similiar law in Mississippi.

The governor has also put his signature on a bill that would require public schools to display the motto “In God We Trust” in their buildings and the legislation requires the teaching of that motto to the students.

And the governor has also signed a bill that would ask Louisiana residents if they want to legalize fantasy sports betting in their parish. The bill’s author, River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says it requires knowledge and strategy when a player competes on Fan Duel or Draft Kings…
cut 7 (06) “…of skill”
The issue will appear on the November ballot. Talbot will bring legislation next year that would put in place the regulations and how the state plans to tax it.

Authorities are seeking tips in the fatal double shooting of a 29-year-old man and her four-year daughter in LaPlace. St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says Cameron and Cali Mack were gunned down last night by an unknown shooter….
cut 4 (11) “…more shots”
The victims were heading up the stairs to their home when they were shot.

Two teenagers from the Opelousas area have been charged with aggravated kidnapping and negligent homicide for their roles in the death of 11-year-old Bryla Bell, who died when the car she was driving crashed into a tree. St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says 19-year-old Kelvin Monte and 17-year-old Jon’ Torras Bryant arranged to pick up Bryla outside of her Lawtell home…
cut 13 (07) “….aggravated”
Guidroz says the suspects did not realize Bryla was just 11-years-old.

A four-year-old girl and her father were fatally shot last night in LaPlace. St. John the Baptist Sheriff Mike Tregre says they were walking up the stairs to their home, when a gunman came out of the darkness and started firing…
cut 3 (08) “…crime stoppers”
Tregre says no suspects or motive at this time.

Online fantasy sports is heading to the November ballot after being signed by the Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle “

St. Tammany President Pat Brister sent a letter to the governor asking the state to expedite road expansion on I-12 in her parish after a fiery crash led to four dead on Saturday. Brister wants the planned expansion moved up from its currently scheduled 2023, but State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says they just don’t have the cash to do.
Cut 9 (08) “wait”

19-year-old Kelvin Monte and 17-year-old Jon’Torras Bryant have been charged with aggravated kidnapping of a child and negligent homicide for their roles in the death of an 11-year-old Bryla Bell who crashed after a pursuit by law enforcement. St. Landry Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Bell’s mother knew her daughter snuck out of the home to be with the young men…
cut 14 (10) “…a pursuit”
The suspects jumped out of the vehicle in Opelousas and Bryla took the wheel and eventually crashed and died

Authorities are seeking tips in the fatal double shooting of a 29-year-old man and her four-year daughter in LaPlace. St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says Cameron and Cali Mack were gunned down last night by an unknown shooter….
cut 4 (11) “…more shots”
The victims were heading up the stairs to their home when they were shot.

In November, Louisiana voters will be asked whether they want to legalize fantasy sports betting in their parish with websites like Fan Duel and Draft Kings. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says if approved, the legislature will come back next year to see how they can generate revenue by taxing it…
cut 8 (10) “…in the spring”

St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister is urging the Edwards administration to expand Interstate 12 in the Covington area after a fiery 18-wheeler crash claimed the lives of four people on Saturday. Brister says the number of motorists on this stretch of highway has increased substantially over the last few years…
cut 15 (09) “…not that”
State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s the legislature that decides what projects get prioritized…
cut 11 (11) “….plans were”
Wilson says funding is also a question mark as the state legislature missed out on a chance to pay for major highway projects when it didn’t pass an increase to the state’s gasoline tax.

A 29-year-old man and his four-year-old daughter were killed in LaPlace last night. Jeff Palermo reports the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s office believes it was a single gunman…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Online fantasy sports gaming will be on the ballot for parish approval in November after grabbing the governor’s signature. River Ridge Representative Kirk Talbot says after a few failed attempts, it just took some time to educate lawmakers about why fantasy sports is not the same as sports betting.

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Two protesters were issued summons for disturbing the peace after interrupting a budget meeting at the State Capitol yesterday. The individuals are from the group called the Poor People’s Campaign and they are calling the proposed budget immoral, because it doesn’t reflect the needs of the people. Abita Springs Republican Scott Simon tried to defend the legislature’s actions….

cut 12 (09) “…so big”

That’s when several protesters started chanting “we want a moral budget’….

cut 13 (07) “…reflect it”

here’s commodities

The House Appropriations Committee has sent several budget bills to the House floor for consideration. House Bill 1 would fund TOPS at 80 percent, and cut higher education by 26 million dollars. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says funding TOPS at such a high level while slashing higher ed doesn’t make sense.
Cut 10 (10) “you want”
Legislators are trying to pass a budget before the special session ends June 4th.

The search is on for a gunman who fatally a shot a four-year-old girl and her father in LaPlace. St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says deputies are canvassing the neighborhood as they search for more leads…
Cut 5 (10) “some justice”
The victims were walking up the stairs to their home, when Tregre says a gunman came out of the darkness and started firing his weapon.

New Orleans is hosting over 7,000 teachers this week for a yearly development conference. Becca Dill has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I”m Becca Dill“

And St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister has written a letter urging Governor John Bel Edwards to move up the time line for a proposed I-12 expansion in the Covington area. The letter comes days after a fiery 18-wheeler crash that killed four people. Brister says that stretch of interstate has become dangerous…
cut 14 (06) “…panicky almost”