Governor John Bel Edwards has called for a special session to begin on May 22nd. The current regular session is set to end on Friday and then legislators will return to Baton Rouge a few days later for a special session to address the fiscal cliff.

Because of expiring sales taxes, legislators are unable to fund health care, public colleges and TOPS to a level that satisfies anyone involved in state government…
cut 11 (09) “…fiscal year”
Edwards is hoping the legislature adopts his revenue plan that would keep a portion of a expiring penny sales tax, while eliminating sales tax exemptions for certain industries.
Cut 12 (08) “million dollars”
The special session must conclude June 4th.
A bill that would renew the state’s contract with Harrah’s New Orleans Casino passed a Senate Committee on a 4-3 vote. The legislation, which was heavily amended, is a 20 year contract with a ten year renewal option. Caesar’s Entertainment, who owns Harrah’s, sent their regional president Dan Real to argue for the contract renewal.
Cut 6 (12) “bad buisiness”
Harrah’s has six years remaining on their current contract, a point that has many opponents arguing that the renegotiation should be postponed.

The House has approved a constitutional amendment that would require a unanimous jury verdict in most felony cases. Albany Representative Sherwin Mack authored the legislation on the House floor and had this simple appeal to his colleagues…
cut 15 (05) “…right thing”
The amendment would need a majority vote of the people to be enacted into law.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Bruce Riley is the Deputy Director of “Voice of the Experienced,” a pro voting rights organization.

Cut 9 (12) “of imprisonment”

Governor John Bel Edwards has put out the call for a special session that would begin May 22^nd, and end June 4^th. During the special session, revenue could be raised that would potentially plug the 648 million dollar state budget shortfall resulting from expiring sales taxes. Edwards is hoping the legislature adopts his revenue plan that would keep a portion of a expiring penny sales tax, while eliminating sales tax exemptions for certain industries.

Cut 24 (08) “million dollars”

A Senate committee approves legislation that extends the state contract’s with Harrah’s New Orleans Casino for at least another 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 23 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

And a constitutional amendment requiring a unanimous jury conviction for all criminal trials passed the House to applause on an 82-15 vote. The amendment would bring the state in line with 48 other state’s conviction requirements. The item heads to the ballot, and will need 50 percent plus one vote of the popular vote to go into effect.

Governor Edwards has called for a special session to begin a week from Tuesday and it would end June 4th. During this time, legislators will be asked to replace expiring sales taxes and fill a 648-million dollar budget deficit. The governor is optimstic lawmakers will come up with a solution to the fiscal cliff.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights for those on parole once it’s been five years after their release from prison. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting rights should be used as a deterrent to crime….
Cut 11 (11) “criteria”
Despite Fannin’s opposition, the measure heads to the Senate floor for final approval.

Today’s US Supreme court ruling means sports gambling won’t just be restricted to Nevada. Jim Shannon on what it means for Louisiana.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The American Civil Liberties Union says students in the Webster Parish School system are no longer subject to school-sponsored Christian prayer. ACLU staff attorney Bruce Hamilton…
cut 15 (12) “…covercive”

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Mississippi approved legislation that would allow sports betting, but Louisiana’s legislature rejected legislation that would have brought the issue to voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that’s great news…. for Beau Rivage.
Cut 6 (08) “Orleans market”
Martiny says Louisiana could generate more revenue for the state with sports betting and hopes it gets approved in the future.

Authorities say a Sorrento man was killed when his Dad wrecked a boat they were in Saturday night on the Amite River. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 53-year-old Patrick White was operating a 20-foot aluminum vessel when it slammed into a river wall.
Cut 3 (08) “head on”
The impact killed 27-year-old Caleb White. Patrick White has is facing numerous charges, including vehicular homicide.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate Governmental Affairs committee today. Current law says felons must complete probation and parole, before they are able to vote. Checko Yancy is the executive director of “Organize to Educate” who still cannot vote.
Cut 10 (09) “voting polls”
The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. The measure heads to full Senate for final approval.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the Webster Parish School District will no longer subject students to school-sponsored Christian prayer as the result of a consent decree approved by a federal judge.
cut 14 (09) “….school events”
That’s Louisiana A-C-L-U staff attorney Bruce Hamilton, who says this is a victory for all students in the Webster Parish School District. A student at Lakeside claimed the district promoted religion by broadcasting prayers over the P-A system.

Today’s US Supreme court ruling means sports gambling won’t just be restricted to Nevada. Jim Shannon on what it means for Louisiana.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a press conference this afternoon where it’s expected he’ll release the call for a special session that would begin next week. Edwards has said a special session is needed, because the state needs to replace expiring sales taxes to fill a 648-million budget deficit.

A bill that would allow convicted felons who have been out of prison for five years to vote, even if they are on probation or parole is heading to the full senate for final passage. The measure passed the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, despite opposition from Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin, who says five years too soon….
cut 12 (09) “…object”
If passed, the measure would take effect on March 1st, 2019.

A Sorrento man has been charged with vehicular homicide in the boating death of his son. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 53-year-old Patrick White was operating a a 20-foot aluminum vessel when he slammed into a river wall. Einck says White flunked a field sobriety test when an L-D-W-F agent arrived…
cut 5 (08) “…as well”
Caleb White was 27-years-old.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Bill Riley is the executive of “voice of the experience” a pro voting rights organization.

Cut 9 (12) “of imprisonment”

The Webster Parish School District has settled a lawsuit with the ACLU that alleged that they created a coercive environment that subjected students to school sponsored Christian religious activities. ACLU Staff Attorney Bruce Hamilton says they received complaints from a Webster Parish student’s family that the activities had been ongoing for some time.

Cut 13 (09) “do so”

The school has argued that the religious ceremonies were student initiated and led.

A boating wreck on the Amite River Saturday night leaves one dead, while the victim’s father faces charges. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) I’m Jim Shannon”

A gas leak in St. Mary Parish sent residents and officials scrambling this morning. The leak forced the closures of two schools, amidst a frantic effort by firefighters, police and ambulance personnel to evacuate everyone from the area. Initial investigations indicate the incident occurred at 7:15 this morning in the Baldwin area after a tractor hit an Enterprise Products natural gas valve. Officials have now given the all clear to return.

Authorities say A Sorrento man was killed when his dad wrecked a boat they were in Saturday night on the Amite River. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the impact killed 27-year-old Caleb White…

Cut 4 (06)      the boat”

Caleb White was 27.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says ultimately the decision to keep sports gaming out of Louisiana will exacerbate the state’s already problematic budget issues.

cut 8 (10) “rely on”

Its estimated that the new, unrestricted, sports gaming industry will be worth 7.1 billion dollars a year.

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Current law says felons must complete probation and parole, before they are able to vote. Checko Yancy is the executive director of “Organize to Educate” who still cannot vote.

Cut 10 (09) “voting polls”

Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent, and that five years is too soon to get your voting privileges back.

The measure now goes to the full Senate for final passage.

And now here’s commodity’s

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says it’s not just New Orleans that’s going to suffer as a result.

Cut 7 (06)  “those markets”

A House bill that allows some convicted felons while serving probation and parole to get their voting privileges back cleared the Senate and Governmental Affairs committee today. The bill restores voting rights five years after he or she is released from prison. Jonesboro Senator Jim Fannin was in staunch opposition to the bill. Saying losing your voting privilege when you are convicted of a crime is a deterrent.

Cut 11 (11) “criteria”

A Sorrento man died Saturday night on the Amite river after the boat he was riding in slammed into a river wall. The boat was driven by Patrick White 53 of Sorrento his son Caleb slammed into the bulkhead during the wreck. Louisiana Wildlife and fisheries agents were close by and assisted. Adam Einck is a spokesperson with wildlife and fisheries.

Cut 3 (08) “head on”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says  criminal justice reformers are pushing this legislation, because the non-unanimous jury requirement leads to more defendants pleading guilty to crimes they may have not committed

Cut 14 (10) “much higher”

The US Supreme Court has ruled that states outside of Nevada are now allowed to permit sports gambling. Neighboring states such as Arkansas and Mississippi approved legislation that would allow the gaming to take place, but Louisiana denied legislation that would have put the issue up for voters this fall. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says that’s great news…. for Beau Rivage.

Cut 6 (08)  “Orleans market”

The Metairie Republican says the Shreveport will also suffer.

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s outlier verdict system influences DAs to charge suspects with crimes that have longer sentences, just to have a better chance at conviction.

Cut 13 (10)  “the sentence” 

A new website is offering a years’ worth of college courses for free, that transfer to major universities. Becca Dill has more.

Cut 2 (29) I’m Becca Dill”

The Tangipahoa parish Sherriff’s office has requested a Louisiana State Police investigation of an officer involved shooting incident on Taylor Creek Road rd. The initial investigation reported that officer’s response to a domestic disturbance at 10:03PM last night involving a suspect who was allegedly threatening family members with a weapon. Officers made contact, and shots were fired, leading to the suspect’s death. The investigation is ongoing.

There are indications from both the Governor and legislative leaders that this will be the final week of the regular session. The chambers have 120 hours to come to a resolution on gaming issues, unanimous juries, a 15 week abortion ban, and possibly a budget. LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the budget battles will escalate after Senate Finance passed a spending plan quite different from the House.

But it’s not just budget issues and fiscal cliffs. Alford says one of the most controversial issues, riverboat gaming on land, will come to a head later this week.

Cut 6 (08) “the session”

The Governor is calling for the special session, which could get the revenue needed to fund the budget, to begin Friday after the regular session ends.

Modern States Education Alliance is offering a “Freshman Year For Free” at their website which allows students to take CLEP eligible courses by nationally renowned professors, without paying thousands of dollars. Founder Steve Klinsky says the classes give credits that can be transferred to major colleges like LSU.

Cut 9 (10)  “of courses”

The project was founded, and funded by Klinsky, the Chair of Harvard’s Public education Policy Group. OR GO TO Modernstates.org

A Senate Committee will review a controversial bill today that would renew the state’s contract with New Orleans Harrah’s Casino for another 30 years. The bill has received opposition from statewide leaders like U.S. Senator John Kennedy, who say Louisiana should hold out for a better deal, and legislators are concerned about a provision that calls for less legislative scrutiny over future contract renewals. Political Analyst Clancy DuBos says he doesn’t see the bill passing in its current form, unless Harrah’s puts up more on its end.

Cut 12 (12) “proposed”

A constitutional amendment requiring unanimous jury verdicts in all felony trials is scheduled for a vote in the House today. Louisiana is one of two states that does not require unanimous jury decisions. Legal analyst Tim Meche

Cut 14 (10) “much higher”