It appears the death penalty will remain in Louisiana after the House Criminal Justice Committee voted against a bill that sought to end the use of lethal injection. Supporters argued it’s costly to prosecute such cases and the state has only executed one person since 2002. But supporters of the death penalty say it’s a fitting punishment for cold-blooded killers.

The Senate Labor committee approves legislation that extends workplace discrimination laws to cover LGBT individuals. Political activist Dylan Waguespack spoke in support. He says something has to be done to protect transgender individuals like himself in the workplace….
cut 5 (12) “…and disgust”
The measure heads to the Senate floor. The upper chamber rejected the proposal last year.

A bill that makes changes to the state’s film tax credit program passes out of the senate on a 33-3 vote. Some lawmakers do not support tax breaks for the film industry, but the bill’s author New Orleans Senator J-P Morrell says his legislation calls for the program to go away after eight years, if legislators do not renew it….
cut 15 (08) “….no longer exist”
Morrell’s measure has the support of the film industry.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy spoke on the Senate floor about his Medicaid reform bill. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (28) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the possibility of another special session is increasing, because legislators have failed to advance proposals to address a billion dollar shortfall next year…
Cut 10 (10) “just gone”
There’s three weeks left in the session and the majority-Republican House has approved just one tax bill that would address that looming deficit.

The senate passed a bill that revamps the state’s film tax credit program. It has the support of the movie industry. The legislation calls for a 180-million dollar cap over the next three years and then down to 150-million dollars. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel doesn’t like the proposal.
cut 14 (07) “….that dollar”
The measure will be discussed more in House Ways and Means.

A measure that prohibits workplace disrcimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals heads to the Senate floor after passing Senate Labor on a three to one vote. Doctor Will Hall, editor of the Louisiana Baptist Message, testifed against the measure, because he says this bill would go against a U.S. Supreme Court ruling…
cut 6 (12) “….as immutable”
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry did not take a stand after helping to kill the bill on the Senate floor last year.

A proposal to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour by 2019 wins approval in the Senate Labor Committee. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says his bill would ensure workers earn a decent wage, which will boost morale and lower turnover rates for employers.

Cut 4 (10) “better employees”

But Jim Patterson with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says this will drive up costs for businesses. He says once low wage employees start making more, other workers will want a raise too.

Cut 5 (10) “what have you”

The measure now heads to the Upper Chamber and possibly the Senate Finance Committee, where it was killed last year.

A proposal to end the death penalty in Louisiana was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Bishop of the Diocese of Houma Shelton Fabre testified in support of the bill saying every human life is sacred, and an execution will bring back a loved one or heal wounds.

Cut 13 (11) “ever done”

The proposal failed on an eight to nine vote.

The second confederate monument to come down in New Orleans was hauled away last night. It took crews 7 hours to get the statue of PGT Beauregard off its base. Supporters celebrated just feet away from opponents. One spectator explains why the monuments have to go.

Cut 8 (08) “that nature”

The next monument to come down will be Robert E. Lee.

A proposed increase to the state’s minimum wage has won the approval of the Senate Labor Committee. Michelle Southern has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The House has passed a bill that would deny state funding to cities that are considered to be more lenient on illegal immigrants. The so-called Sanctuary Cities bill failed to pass the lower chamber last week, but it was rewritten so it no longer needed a two-thirds vote to pass. It now heads to the Senate.

A proposal to eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana failed to muster enough votes to get out of the House Criminal Justice committee. It had the support of Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor, who made the argument death penalty cases are costly and it doesn’t reduce the murder rate….
cut 14 (10) “….we do”
But the proposal failed on an eight to nine vote.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the possibility of another special session is increasing, becauses legislators have failed to advance proposals to address a billion dollar shortfall next year…
Cut 10 (10) “just gone”
About three weeks left in the session and the majority-Republican House has approved just one tax bill that would address that looming deficit.

A bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 over the next two years has received backing from the Senate Labor Committee. The sponsor of the proposed legislation, New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says higher wages will improve work environments and help the community….
cut 6 (10) “….about that”
Business groups oppose the measure, because they say the free market should drive what an employer pays a worker.

An effort to eliminate the death penalty in Louisiana failed to get the approval of the House Criminal Justice Committee. Hugo Holland, with the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, defended the need for the death penalty…
cut 15 (07) “….death penalty”
There’s a similar bill in the Senate, but it’s not expected to be debated on the Senate floor.

Louisiana residents will not receive a sales tax break on the purchase of diapers, tampons and other feminie hygiene products that are considered necessary. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell was seeking to provide families with a little financial relief, but it would cost the state 13-million dollars revenues, which was factor in why it was defeated in Senate Finance.

The statue of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard came down in New Orleans last night. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The Senate Labor Committee approves a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 over the next two years. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says giving workers a decent wage would boost morale and lower turnover rates…:
Cut 4 (10) “better employees”
But opponents say this would hurt businesses and cause the cost of everything to go up.

Crews removed the statue of Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard during the overnight hours in New Orleans City Park. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the city will not allow the Confederachy to be put on a pedestal in the heart of New Orleans. A monument supporter who was present during the take down, spoke on why it’s important to keep them up…
cut 9 (10) “…terrible”
The next monument set to be removed is of Robert E. Lee.

A proposal to end the death penalty died in a House committee today. It has the support of the Bishop of the Diocese of Houma, Shelton Fabre, who says every human life is sacred. He says an execution cannot bring back a loved one or heal terrible wounds…
cut 13 (11) “…ever done”
But the bill was killed on an eight to nine vote.

A bill that is moving closer to final legislative passage is a bill that would limit first time opioid prescritpions for acute conditions to a seven-day supply. The goal is to prevent addiction by first time users. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor says the legislation makes sure patients who need them would have acces to painkillers…
cut 12 (11) “…that balance”

An effort to eliminate the death penalty took a major hit at the State Capitol today as such a proposal was rejected by the House Criminal Justice Committee. Baton Rouge Senator Dan Claitor has a similar bill in the Senate, and made the argument the death penalty is costly and doesn’t reduce the state’s murder rate….
cut 14 (10) “…we do”
But New Iberia Representative Terry Landry’s bill to eliminate the death penalty died on an eight to nine vote. The mother of slain St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Deputy, Jeremy Triche, Edie Triche, says the death penalty isn’t about revenge, but justice
cut 16 (09) “…his state”
Claitor says after today’s vote, he will not bring his anti-death penalty bill to the Senate floor.

On four to two vote, the Senate Labor Committee approves a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 over the next two years. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and this measure would raise the minimum wage to $8.50 by 2019. In opposition, State Director of the National Federation for Independent Business, Dawn Starns says a rise in the minimum wage will create uncertainty for small businesses..:
Cut 3 (10) “in their budgeting”
Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying he was pleased the bill advanced, and it’s time to start valuing hard-working families.

A House approved measure that limits first time opioid prescriptions for acute conditions to a seven-day supply received approval from a Senate committee. East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner, Doctor Beau Clark, testified in support….
cut 11 (07) “….our epidemic”
The measure now moves to the Senate floor.

Opponents and supporters of the removal of the statue of Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard watched as crews took it down in New Orleans:
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A proposal that aims to resolve Louisiana’s opioid epidemic is heading to the Senate floor. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno’s bill would limit first time opioid prescriptions for acute conditions to a 7 day supply…:
Cut 10 (09) “our state”
She says 4 out of 5 heroin users say they started with painkillers.

The Senate Labor Committee approves a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 over the next two years. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says giving workers a decent wage would boost morale and lower turnover rates…:
Cut 4 (10) “better employees”
But opponents say this would hurt businesses and cause the cost of everything to go up.

A 17-year-old from North Louisiana is facing a serious charge after police say he set a dog on fire. Claiborne Parish Sheriff Ken Bailey says Carzavian Willis of Homer doused a Yorkie in gasoline, causing severe burns on 80 percent of her body..:
Cut 14 (11) “put down”
Willis is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a felony that carries a sentence up to 10 years.

The Senate Labor Committee approves a proposal to increase the minimum wage to $8.50 over the next two years. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, and this measure would create a state minimum wage at $8.00 by 2018 and increase to $8.50 by 2019. State Director of the National Federation for Independent Business, Dawn Starns opposes the measure because she says it will create uncertainty for small businesses..:
Cut 3 (10) “in their budgeting”
But Carter says the world doesn’t come to an end when you treat people fairly. He says not only will better wages make for better work environments, it will also help the community…:
Cut 6 (10) “about that”
Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying he was pleased the bill advanced, and it’s time to start valuing hard-working families.

The Governor’s monthly call in radio show takes place this afternoon at 2pm on affiliates of the Louisiana Radio Network.

The statue of P.G.T. Beauregard was hauled away in New Orleans by a masked crew last night. Workers took down the monument of the Confederate General as opponents of the removal watched while waving Confederate battle flags and singing the National Anthem…:
Cut 7 (09) “yet wave”
Supporters of the removal threw a party just feet away from the opponents.

A bill by Representative Terry Landry that would eliminate the death penalty for crimes committed on or after August 1st of this year is being heard in the House Criminal Justice committee at this hour. Senator Dan Claitor has the same bill in the Upper chamber that already cleared committee.

A proposal to raise the minimum wage in Louisiana to $8.50 over the next two years was approved by the Senate Labor committee, despite opposition from business groups, who say it will create higher costs for them. Jim Patterson, with the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says other workers will want better compensation too.
Cut 5 (10) “what have you”
The bill heads to the Senate floor.

A 17-year-old Homer teen has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals for allegedly setting a Yorkie on fire. Claiborne Sheriff Ken Baily says they are confident about Carzavian Willis’ role, but more individuals could be arrested…
cut 15 (10) “…taken down”
Willis faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

During the overnight in New Orleans, it took crews seven hours to remove the equestrian statue of Confederate General P.G.T Beauregard. Supporters of the removal threw a party just feet away from the opponents. One onlooker explained why this statue and all Confederate Monuments need to be taken down.
Cut 8 (08) “that nature”
The next monument to go will be of Robert E. Lee.

A compromise has been reached on the criminal justice reform package approved by the Senate. New Orleans Representative Walt Leger will seek to get the lower chamber to agree with the bills that will give Louisiana major sentencing reform for individuals convicted of drug and property crimes…:
Cut 13 (12) “primary accomplishments”
These reforms will save the state $260 million over the next decade.