The House Ways and Means Committee begins two days of discussion on the Commercial Activity Tax proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. The CAT is a sales tax businesses pay on their transactions. So far there’s little support for the proposal. Franklin Representative Sam Jones hopes legislators will change their mind after learning more about it.
Cut 7 (10) “might be”

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson believes House members are moving closer to agreeing on a bill to overhaul healthcare. Johnson says there was frustration the previous legislation was pulled at the last minute, but he’s hopeful new amendments will secure passage through the House and Senate.
Cut 13 (09) “of weeks”

The first of four controversial Confederate monuments in New Orleans was removed over night. It took about four hours for crews to dismantle the Battle of Liberty Place and then place the pieces on a flat bed truck to be hauled away. There was heavy police presence as workers took down the statue. Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the Liberty Place statue will eventually be relocated into a museum or other facility.

Also, taking place today in New Orleans, major roadwork begins on one of the world’s most famous streets. Construction equipment will begin removing the old pavement on Bourbon Street and replacing aging sewer, water and drainage pipes. Director of New Orleans Public Works Colonel Mark Jernigan says pedestrians will have access to Bourbon Street…
cut 11 (11) “…reconstruction projects”
Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

Governor Edwards’ proposed Commercial Activity Tax will be discussed today in the House Ways and Means Committee. It faces heavy opposition from the business community, who says it’s a burdensome tax at a time when the state’s economy is struggling. But the bill’s author, Franklin Representative Sam Jones, says something must be done to address a looming budget shortfall and provide a predictable revenue stream…
cut 9 (09) “…fund government”

The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee hears a proposed constitutional amendment that would exempt diapers and tampons from the state sales tax. The measure is by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell who says he’ll reject attempts to add other items, like beer…
cut 6 (08) “…in diapers”
This bill will need to pass the legislature with a two-thirds vote and then voter approval.

U.S. Representative Mike Johnson remains confident Congress can pass legislation that will overhaul the nation’s health care system. Johnson says they are discussing a plan that gives states more flexibility to pull out of Affordable Care Act provisions…
cut 15 (06) “…on everyone”

The first 8 blocks of Bourbon Street is undergoing reconstruction that begins today. Halen Doughty has more…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

During the middle of the night, the Battle of Liberty Place monument was removed. The first of four New Orleans confederate statues to be taken down.

The centerpiece of Governor John Bel Edwards tax overhaul plan receives a hearing today in the House Ways and Means committee. The Commercial Activity Tax imposes a tax on businesses for any transactions they make. The bill’s author, Franklin Representative Sam Jones, says so far this is the only plan that’s been presented to deal with the one-point-three billion dollar fiscal cliff in 2018…
cut 8 (10) “…to fund TOPS”
So far, there’s very little support for this proposal.

A major construction project begins today on the first 8 blocks of Bourbon Street. Director of New Orleans Public Works Col. Mark Jernigan says they’ll remove and replace the existing pavement, along with all of the infrastructure underneath.
Cut 10 (09) “90 years”
Construction is expected to wrap up by the end of the year.

Today the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee takes up a proposal by New Orleans Senator JP Morrell that would exempt diapers and tampons from the state sales tax. Emelie Gunn has more…
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

This week US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy met with White House officials seeking an additional $2 billion for flood recovery. Kennedy says he’s thankful for the financial assistance Congress has provided to flood victims, but it is not enough to help the middle class and small businesses fully recover.
Cut 5 (07) “hand out”
Congress has already appropriated $1.6 billion in flood recovery.

Lawmakers will begin pouring over Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed Commercial Activity Tax on Monday. The corporate tax would replace tax revenue scheduled to fall off the books next year when a one-cent sales tax expires. Edwards says the CAT will make sure businesses pay their fair share.
Cut 13 (10) “work for”
A television ad supporting the governor’s tax plan is scheduled to run next week.

The Louisiana National Guard says the burn chamber at Camp Minden will be leaving soon. The burn chamber has completed burning thousands of tons explosive material that was left abandon by Explo Systems. There was talk of keeping the chamber operational at Camp Minden to burn more hazardous materials. But area residents opposed such an idea. The Guard says the burn chamber will not be used again at Camp Minden.

LSU’s spring game is tonight inside Tiger Stadium tonight. There will be several inexperienced wide receivers on the field. Senior DJ Chark is the only one with a lot of experience catching passes on Saturdays in the fall. Quarterback Danny Etling says the young wide outs have made progress during the spring…
Cut 19 (17) “go a long”

A convicted killer and rapist will not be released on parole on Sunday as originally scheduled. Samuel Galbraith was sentenced in 2000 to 71 years in prison for the brutal murder of 21-year-old Karen Hill, a conveience store clerk in Vernon Parish. The state parole board granted Galbraith’s parole, but it was learned the victim’s mother never received a parole notification letter. It was sent to a different address to a different state. Another hearing will be scheduled in the future.

Iberia Parish Sheriff deputies are trying to determine who fatally shot an 80-year-old woman. Officers were called to the scene just before one AM this morning after gunshots were heard in the area. Investigators say they found several bullet holes in the front door of a home and after forcing the door open, the elderly victim was found dead, apparently struck by multiple gunshots.

State Police say 28-year-old Dwight Johnson of Covington was killed when his motorcyle crashed into the rear axle of a trailer in Abita Springs yesterday.

An-anti tax group called Truth in Politics says a poll they commissioned finds the public doesn’t want to see their taxes increased. Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says 75 percent of respondents oppose a recommended 23 cent hike on the state’s gasoline tax.
Cut 11 (11) “repair infrastructure”
The survey also finds 80 percent of respondents say government spends too much, taxes too much, or both.

There is a threat for severe weather today as a result of a cold front that will provide the state with cool temperatures tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says eastern portions of Louisiana are under a slight risk of severe weather..
cut 15 (07) “…eye out”
Keim says high temperatures may stay in the 60s for some parts of the state tomorrow.

Governor John Bel Edwards admits there’s not a lot of legislative support for his controversial Commercial Activity Tax, which would raise hundreds of millions dollars to help stave off a looming budget crisis. But Edwards says he’s disappointed an alternative plan hasn’t been proposed by House Republican leaders…
Cut 12 (09) “not agreement”
Business groups like Truth in Politics strongly oppose the CAT tax. Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says over half of the respondents to their recent survey said they do not support the tax. She says 60 percent also say they expect business conditions to stay the same or get worse in the next 6 months.
Cut 10 (11) “the trend before”

The state Parole Board has rescinded the parole for convicted killer and rapist Samuel Galbraith. The former Ft. Polk soldier was set to be released Sunday, after he was granted parole in November. But it has been learned the state failed to properly notify the victim’s mother. A notification letter was sent to an address in Albany, New York, instead of her home in Albany, Illinois.

In 2000, Galbraith pleaded guilty to manslaughter and aggravated rape in the brutal murder of 21-year-old Karen Hill. Galbraith kidnapped the convenience store clerk in Vernon Parish and took her to the Kisatchie National Forest, tied her to a tree and shot her in the eye.

There is a slight chance for a severe thunderstorm today as a frontal system moves through. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s cool air behind this front. He says it will drop high temperatures for Sunday and Monday by 10-degrees…
cut 16 (12) “….nice weather”

A poll commissioned by a group that opposes Governor Edwards tax plan finds most Louisiana residents are concerned about jobs and the economy…
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Governor Edwards says his tax plan addresses the revenue that will be lost when one-point-three billion dollars in temporary taxes expire next year. He says another special session could be needed if an adequate funding plan is not approved…
cut 14 (06) “…or another”

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump official about getting another two billion in federal flood recovery dollars. The state has already recieved one-point-six billion dollars, but the governor and Congressman Garret Graves have argued about getting the money into the hands of the public. Kennedy says this dispute could hurt the state’s effort in getting the additional two-billion dollars…
cut 4 (09) “…he can”

Police officers will be out in full force over the next week as the Buckle Up in your Truck campaign is underway to make sure pickup truck drivers wear their seatbelts. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer…
Cut 6 (09) “at all times”
Sandifer says for some reason they see less seatbelt compliance in pickup trucks than other vehicles.

Lawmakers will begin poring over Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed Commercial Activity Tax on Monday. The corporate tax would replace tax revenue scheduled to fall of the books next year when a one-cent sales tax expires. Edwards says the CAT will make sure businesses pay their fair share.

Cut 13 (10) “work for”

A group opposing Governor Edwards tax plan commissioned a poll that shows a majority of Louisiana residents oppose higher taxes on businesses. Truth in Politics Executive Director Kelli Bottgher says respondents listed jobs and the economy as their top concerns.

Cut 9 (09) “find a job”

This week US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy met with White House officials seeking an additional $2 billion for flood recovery. Kennedy says he’s thankful for the financial assistance Congress has provided to flood victims, but it is not enough to help the middle class and the small businesses fully recover.

Cut 5 (07) “hand out”

Congress has already appropriated $1.6 billion in flood recovery.

There is a slight chance for a severe thunderstorm on Saturday as a result of a frontal system that will move through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s cool air behind this front that will drop high temperatures for Sunday and Monday by 10-degrees.

Cut 16 (12) nice weather”

U.S. Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy met with a Trump administration official this week to seek an additional two billion dollars in federal flood aid. Don Molino has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

Police are searching for three armed men who robbed three other men when their vehicle was broken down on Interstate 10 on the Bonne Carre Spillway. Police say them robbers pulled over and offered help to the victims, before pulling a gun and stealing a wallet, cash, and a cellphone.

There is a threat for severe weather on Saturday as a result of a cold front that will provide the state with cool temperatures on Sunday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says eastern portions of Louisiana are under a slight risk of severe weather.

Cut 15 (07) “eye out”

Keim says there’s cool air behind this front.

This weekend law enforcement will be on high alert for people not wearing seatbelts in pickup trucks, as the Buckle Up In Your Truck campaign begins today. State Police Sgt. Jared Sandifer says it’s not only the driver who has to buckle up.

Cut 8 (08) “that seatbelt”

The campaign lasts until next Thursday.

LSU’s weekend in Lexington is off to a tough start as the Tigers dropped the opening game of a doubleheader to the Wildcats. Tigers starting pitcher Jared Poche gave up five runs in three innings. Todd Peterson allowed another two runs in 2.1 innings. Alex Lange starts in game two today and then no game on Saturday, because of rain. The series will conclude Sunday afternoon at noon.

The Ragin Cajuns go after their sixth consecutive win tonight when they visit Little Rock. UL Lafayette has outscored opponents 32-6 during this win streak.

23rd ranked McNeese State looks to start another winning streak tonight in Natchitoches as they visit Northwestern State. The Cowboys had their-seven game winning streak snapped on Tuesday in a loss to Louisiana Tech.

Louisiana Tech hosts UAB for three games starting tonight. The Diamond Dogs have won six of their last eight. They are 6-9 in Conference USA, but they’ve played some of the tougher teams in the league.

LSU’s new look offense will be on display Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers annual spring game will get underway at seven o clock. Quarterback Danny Etling says it’s still a work in progress but one thing is for certain offensive coordinator Matt Canada likes to spread the football around to their different playmakers…
Cut 18 (11) “the season”
Meanwhile, Head Coach Ed Orgeron still won’t name Etling as his starting quarterback for the 2017 season. Orgeron says the battle won’t be decided until fall camp, but he says Etling is the clear favorite. But Coach O is ready to say that Monroe native and sophomore Rashard Lawrence will be a starter on the defensive line.

The Saints first game of the 2017 seaosn will be a Monday night affair against the Minnesota Vikings. New Orleans home opener is the next week, September 17th against the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots.