So what happens now that the legislature wasn’t able to come to any agreement on solving the fiscal cliff? Governor John Bel Edwards doubts legislators can pass a budget for next fiscal year in the regular session, so another special session is likely, But Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is optimistic they can pass a budget in the regular session, because the state can do more to reduce its spending.

Cut 11 (12) “they want.”

Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo is concerned if funding for Higher Education and TOPS is wiped out, it will hurt more than just the students, their families and faculty. It could cripple the state’s economy…

Cut 9 (12) “it deserves.”

Livingston Parish deputies have charged 27-year-old Chad Horsley with a hate crime. The Denham Springs man is accused of targeting a Muslim owned convenience store, while impersonating an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s deputy. He allegedly caused thousands of dollars of damage by attempting to steal the store’s ATM machine. Sheriff Jason Ard says Horsley also accused the owner of engaging in illegal activities.

Cut 13 (10) “search warrant”

Four people are in custody in connection with the murders of Reagan Day and Dustin Hartline. The victims were found in a submerged car near the East Pearl River Boat Launch on Highway 90. Jason Landry, Brittney Savell and Steven Olivieri all of Slidell and Derrion Lemoine of Lacombe are charged with two counts of first degree murder. Sheriff Randy Smith is holding a news conference tomorrow at 10am.

With the special legislative session over, lawmakers are looking ahead to the regular session that starts Monday. The question is how the legislature will react to a highly fractured House after accusations of mistrust among members. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he can’t see any scenario during the upcoming session where legislators pass a budget.
Cut 4 (11) “more difficult.”
Governor John Bel Edwards agrees that it will be difficult to pass a budget for next fiscal year in the regular session, because lawmakers will see the cuts will be too deep, without raising additional revenue. He says that’s why another special session is likely….
cut 10 (11) “…June 4th”

Parents and students alike are worried how they can afford higher education since TOPS funding may be cut back. Jeff Palermo has more…
Voicer 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

A Denham Springs man has been charged with a hate crime after he allegedly told investigators that he caused damage to a convenience store because he thought the owners were Muslim. Sheriff Jason Ard says 27-year-old Chad Horsley even tried to steal the store’s ATM machine…
cut 14 (09) “…doing it”
Horsley is being held on a 56-thousand dollar bond.

TOPS and Higher Education are facing cuts next fiscal year after a special session failed to address the loss of a billion dollars in expiring sales taxes. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says cuts to public colleges will hurt more than just students and faculty, it could cripple the state’s economy…
cut 9 (12) “…it deserves”

A Denham Springs man has been charged with a hate crime after he allegedly tried to steal an ATM from a conveinence store. Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard says the motive 27-year-old Chad Horsley gave is a little strange…
cut 15 (11) “…that nature”
Ard says Horsley also told those in the store he was an East Baton Rouge officer, but that is not true and they are not sure if he ever served in the military.

Governor Edwards is planning for another special session after legislators did not address the loss of a billion dollars in temporary sales taxes. Louisiana will receive an additional 300-million dollars in state tax revenues, because of changes made as a result of the federal tax overhaul. Edwards says even with the extra revenue, deep cuts will be needed and there will be more urgency to raise revenue in a special session that he hopes will begin in May…
cut 12 (11) “….this year”
But Kenner Representative Julie Stokes says the House is so divided that it will be difficult to agree on any significant tax reform policy…..
cut 6 (11) “…this situation”

Lawmakers are barely able to deal with the effects of a special session hangover let alone prep for the regular session. Jim Shannon

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

With a special session failure to address the fiscal cliff, TOPS funding could be cut by 80-percent, and higher ed could see substantial funding reductions. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says legislators will need to consider funding both, because One can’t go without the other…

Cut 8 (10) “faculty members.”

So what happens now that the legislature wasn’t able to come to any agreement on solving the fiscal cliff? Governor John Bel Edwards doubts legislators can pass a budget for next fiscal year in the regular session, so another special session is likely, But Republican House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry is optimistic they can pass a budget in the regular session, because the state can do more to reduce its spending.

Cut 11 (12) “south Louisiana.”

The strange case of an ATM theft in Livingston Parish has resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Chad Horsley on charges of hate crimes, simple criminal damage, criminal mischief, and false impersonation of a peace officer. Horsley is accused of impersonating an East Baton Rouge Parish Officer, and damaging a Muslim owned convenience store’s ATM. Police say Horsley admitted to targeting the store because of its perceived Muslim ownership. He is accused of causing 4,000 dollars in damage to the store, and is being held on a 56,000 dollar bond.

Parents and students alike are worried how they can afford higher education since TOPS funding may be cut back.  Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo”.

With the special legislative session being a memory for some and a nightmare for others, lawmakers are looking ahead to the regular session that starts Monday. The question is how the legislature will react to a highly fractured body after the recent blood-bath. Representative Barry Ivey.

Kenner Representative Julie stokes also is suffering the effects of a brutal special session that she also fears will bleed over to the regular session.

Cut 5  (07 ) “is respect.”

St. Tammany Parish detectives have arrested four people in connection with the murders of Raegan Day and Dustin Hartline. A Sheriff’s office facebook post says all individuals directly involved in the murders are in custody. However, the investigation is ongoing and other arrests are possible.

Yesterday St. Tammany Sheriff’s officials located a 2011 Chevrolet Camero with Day and Hartline inside, two friends reported them missing in the Pearl River area since Feb. 15.

The investigation into their disappearance led detectives to the East Pearl River Boat Launch, where the vehicle was located under water.

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman drivers aren’t concerned as long as gas stays below $2.75 a gallon, which will translate to a lot of traveling this year…

Cut 12 (06) “this summer.”

St. Tammany Parish detectives have arrested four people in connection with the murders of Raegan Day and Dustin Hartline. A Sheriff’s office facebook post says all individuals directly involved in the murders are in custody. However, the investigation is ongoing and other arrests are possible.

Yesterday St. Tammany Sheriff’s officials located a 2011 Chevrolet Camero with Day and Hartline inside, two friends reported them missing in the Pearl River area since Feb. 15.

The investigation into their disappearance led detectives to the East Pearl River Boat Launch, where the vehicle was located under water.

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. Triple A’s Don Redman says statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon…Earlier this year, the projection was for $3.00 a gallon.

Cut 11 (10) “a gallon.”

With the special legislative session over, lawmakers are looking ahead to the regular session that starts Monday. The question is how the legislature will react to a highly fractured body after the recent blood-bath. Representative Barry Ivey says he can’t see any scenario during the upcoming session that passes a budget.

Cut 4  (11) “more difficult.” 

Now that the special session concluded without a solution to fill a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall in July, TOPS funding could be cut by 80-percent. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says many parents can’t afford to send their kids to college without some financial help. Those college prospects are looking elsewhere to get their education…

Cut 7 (11)  “students leaving.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is seeking to introduce a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and set up a way to tax the sale of cannabis. Jordan says this legislation could help with the state’s constant budget deficits…
Cut 7 (09) “right now.”
Washington State is expected to bring in over 700-million-dollars between 2017 and 2019.

The statewide average for unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Louisiana Triple A spokesperson Don Redman says the price at the pump will soon rise to about $2.50 as refinieries shift from a winter grade gasoline to summer. He says drivers typically aren’t concerned as long as gas stays below $2.75 a gallon…
Cut 12 (06) “this summer.”

With the special legislative session being a memory for some and a nightmare for others, lawmakers are looking ahead to the regular session that starts Monday. The question is how the legislature will react to a highly fractured body after the recent blood-bath. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey.
Cut 3 (:11) “that we serve.”

Matt Doyle looks at how much it cost taxpayers for lawmakers to do nothing towards fixing a one billion dollar shortfall…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Leaders from both sides are pointing fingers after the special session crashed and burned after 15 days of failed negotiations, leaving the state with no certain path to solving the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Republicans are blaming Governor Edwards and the Democrats for not being flexible in negotiations’.

But Edwards is placing the blame on House Speaker Taylor Barras.

Edwards says the House and Barras failed to provide a long term solution to Louisiana’s fiscal situation…

Cut 16 (11) “the Senate”

Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators spent a lot of taxpayer money for very little return.

DuBos says the legislative gridlock could hurt some lawmakers chances at re-election….

Cut 6 (10)  “a shot.”

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is seeking to introduce a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and set up a way to tax the sale of cannabis. Baton Rouge and New Orleans recently approved ordinances that decrease the penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. He says making it legal statewide is the next obvious step…

Cut 9 (10)  “it underground.”

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman says don’t get too comfortable with these lower prices as we move into the warmer months…

Cut 10 (10) “grade gasoline.”

Leaders from both sides are pointing fingers after the special session crashed and burned after 15 days of failed negotiations, leaving the state with no certain path to solving the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Republican Representative Cameron Henry says Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards was unable to rally his people.

Henry says the governor failed to communicate exactly what he wanted, or how large of a shortfall that needed to be made up…

Cut 14 (10) “shortfalls.”

But Edwards is placing the blame on House Speaker Taylor Barras.

Cut 15 (10) “of leadership”

The state legislature went home after spending 15 days in a special session and failing to find a solution for the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators spent a lot of taxpayer money for very little return.

The session is expected to cost the state nearly a million dollars, 50-to-60-thousand dollars a day.

Despite early reports of House leadership and the governor having a framework for a deal, negotiations collapsed once the session started. DuBos says the same partisan divides that tanked the February special session still exist going forward.

Cut 5  (11)  “of uncertainty.”

A south Louisiana lawmaker thinks he has a solution for the state’s budget woes. It involves legalizing marijuana. Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman says drivers typically aren’t concerned as long as gas stays below $2.75 a gallon, which will translate to a lot of traveling this year…

Cut 12 (06) “this summer.”

This year’s post special session blame game is revving up after the legislature failed to solve the fiscal cliff. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The state legislature went home after spending 15 days in a special session and failing to find a solution for the one billion dollar fiscal cliff. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says legislators spent a lot of taxpayer money for very little return.

Cut 4  (07) “… nothing.” 

Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan is seeking to introduce a bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and set up a way to tax the sale of cannabis.

Colorado, the first state to legalize marijuana, pulled in nearly 200-million-dollars in taxes, while Washington State is expected to bring in over 700-million-dollars between 2017 and 2019.  California could make upwards of 1.4-billion-dollars by 2021.  Jordan proposes a tax rate similar to cigarettes, which is $1.08 per pack.  Jordan says if Louisiana were to legalize pot, it wouldn’t give citizens the right to smoke it whenever they want to

Cut 8 (10) “manner possible.”

Louisiana drivers are getting a bit of a break with falling gas prices over the last few weeks. The statewide average for regular unleaded gas is $2.33 a gallon, but Triple A’s Don Redman says Earlier this year, the projection was for $3.00 a gallon in Louisiana, but Redman says the increase won’t be as much as first thought…

Cut 11 (10) “a gallon.”