At the start of the legislative session, Governor John Bel Edwards called for a bipartisan effort to repair the state’s annual problem of budget cuts, especially during the middle of a fiscal year. Ruston Representative Rob Shadoin hopes lawmakers can come together across party lines to do what’s best for the people…:
Cut 13 (07) “make progress”
But most Republicans don’t support many of the governor’s proposals to raise revenue but instead suggest reductions in state spending.

LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says, for the third time, one of the studies he’s conduced finds Louisiana is losing money from the film tax credit program. He admits that filming does create jobs…:
CUT 8 (08) “of jobs”
But he says the return of investment of film tax credits was just 22-percent in 2016.

A Chinese chemical company announces plans for a 1.1 billion dollar chemical plant to be constructed in Louisiana. Don Molino has more…:
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Don Molino”

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened the line of credit for Louisiana to receive the $1.6 billion Congress appropriated for flood recovery. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says now is the time for flood victims to fill out the survey at restore.la.gov to see if they are eligible for homeowner assistance. She say the state should have a program manager in place in the next couple of weeks.

Today the House Ways and Means Committee begins delving into the Governor’s proposed tax plan. Halen Doughty has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a 17 month old was killed after being run over by a truck on a roadway in Slidell. The toddler is identified Koreyanna Kirsh. Detectives say the driver of the vehicle is 21-year-old Shae Fitzgerald. Authorities indicate no charges have been filed but the case is under investigation.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development officially released the $1.6 billion in flood recovery funds appropriated by Congress. Governor’s Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says they are still working to get more money for victims…:
Cut 16 (11) “year’s flood”
The state is asking each homeowner who received flood damage to fill out a survey at restore.la.gov to determine their eligibility for federal assistance.

Great economic news for Louisiana as China’s Wanhua (Wan-hwah) Chemical plans to build a $1.1 billion plant here. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says a project like this creates a multiplier effect in the number of jobs it produces…:
Cut 5 (12) “the community”
The exact location has yet to be determined.

HUD has finally released 1.6 billion dollars in flood recovery money. Jeff Palermo has more..:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A Chinese chemical company chooses Louisiana over Texas to build a 1.1 billion dollar manufacturing complex. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the project by Wanhua (Wan-hwah) Chemical Group will bring 170 new direct jobs to the state…:
Cut 4 (09) “a year”
The specific location of the site will be decided later in the year.

At the opening of the legislative session Monday, Governor John Bel Edwards urged lawmakers to compromise at the Capitol over the next two months. He wants to see the state’s tax structure changed to protect vital services and make sure TOPS is fully funded. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says the legislature has to do something to raise more revenue…:
Cut 12 (08) “can’t do it”
But Republicans are expected to push back hard against additional revenues saying instead the state needs to be more responsible with spending.

The film tax credit program will be under a microscope this session, and LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott has conduced another study indicating the return on investment isn’t there for the state’s budget when it comes to movie incentives. He says Louisiana is subsidizing about 30 to 35-percent of the cost of making a film…:
Cut 9 (05) “your favor”
The film tax credit program is currently capped at 180 million dollars.

Today the House Ways and Means committee begins pouring over some of the proposals included in the governor’s tax plan. The ideas would increase taxes on many businesses, but lead to lower income taxes for 90% of consumers. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James believes there will be support for the changes when people hear exactly what this means…:
Cut 10 (11) “very top”
On the other side of the issue, West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says lawmakers need to be cautious about the measures…:
Cut 11 (10) “to business”
They have until June 8th to work it out.

The state wants the public to know that there is NO charge to fill out the flood victims’ survey online at restore.la.gov. The governor’s office says since the questionnaire went live Monday, reports have been coming in that some people are fraudulently charging homeowners to help fill it out.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted Louisiana access to start dispensing 1.6 billion dollars to flooded residents. Deputy Chief of Staff for the Governor, Julie Baxter Payer..::
Cut 14 (11) “appropriated”
Payer expects to have a contractor in place within the next week who will manage the Homeowner Assistance Program.

Another study by LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott finds the benefit to Louisiana’s budget isn’t there when it comes to state’s film tax credit program. He says the return on investment from movie incentives was just 22% in 2016…:
Cut 7 (07) “million bucks”
Lawmakers are slated to discuss film tax credits in the current session.

The legislative session is in full swing, and Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers now is the time to implement comprehensive tax reform, so Louisiana can end the cycle of midyear budget cuts. The governor’s proposals would increase taxes on many businesses, but lower rates for individuals.

Cut 13 (12) “days ahead”

The legislative session will last for two months.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened the line of credit for Louisiana to receive the $1.6 billion Congress appropriated for flood recovery. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says now is the time for flood victims to fill out the survey at restore.la.gov to see if they are eligible for homeowner assistance. She say the state should have a program manager in place in the next couple of weeks.

A Chinese chemical company chooses Louisiana over Texas to build a 1.1 billion dollar manufacturing complex. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this will help Louisiana grow as a global leader in chemical manufacturing and he says the project by Wanhua (Wan-hwah) Chemical Group will bring 170 new direct jobs to the state.

Cut 4 (09) “a year”

LED estimates the project will also result in 945 indirect jobs.

Another study by LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott finds the return isn’t there when it comes to state’s film tax credits program as the report shows it causes a significant hit to Louisiana’s budget. Scott says the return of investment was 22-percent in 2016.

Cut 7 (07) “million bucks”

Governor John Bel Edwards asks lawmakers to leave partisan politics at the door as they begin the 2017 legislative session. Michelle Southern has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The governor also wants to pour more money into Louisiana’s roads. In so many words, he announced his support for an increase to the gasoline tax…
cut 14 (07) “….traffic congestion”
There’s been talk of raising the gas tax anywhere between seven and 17-cents.

The House Ways and Means committee will begin tomorrow pouring over some of the proposals included in the governor’s tax plan. John Bel Edwards ambitious proposal will increase taxes on many businesses, but he says it will lead to lower income taxes for 90-percent of the taxpayers. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is confident once more details of the plan come out, there will be ample support.
Cut 10 (11) “very top”
But West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth says Louisiana has one of the lowest income tax rates in the nation. He’s concerned about putting too much of the tax burden on businesses and losing jobs. He says lawmakers need to be cautious about lowering taxes for individuals and getting businesses to foot the bill..
Cut 11 (10) “to business”

Governor John Bel Edwards called today for a bipartisan effort to pass tax laws that will alleviate the state’s fiscal challenges it faces every year. Edwards is also urging lawmakers to raise the minimum wage and pass equal pay legislation so women receive the same wages as men for equal work…
cut 15 (08) “….applause”
The legislative session began today and it will last two months.

Gas prices are on the rise as the summer driving season approaches. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the statewide average of $2.19 is about 7 cents higher than the prior week which is typical for this time of year.
Cut 12 (11) “in June”
Gas prices are at their highest level since January.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he will resign if the federal government is the reason flood victims have not yet received any federal assistance. Graves made the comments on the Jim Engster Show, also issuing a call for Governor John Bel Edwards to do the same…
Cut 6 (09) “…with the governor”
The governor’s communciations director, Richard Carbo, denies the state is holding up the process and instead blames red tape with the federal government. Carbo says Graves comments are not helping homeowners…
cut 9 (08) “…not accurate”

Starting today, Louisiana homeowners who flooded in 2016 are asked to fill out a survey at restore-dot-la-dot-gov. The survey will give the state a better idea on where flood victims are in the recovery process and more importantly help determine if they are eligible federal homeowner assistance.

The 2017 legislative session started today with a 38-minute speech from Governor John Bel Edwards in the House chambers. The governor is pushing an ambitious tax plan that will mean higher taxes for businesses, but possibly lower taxes for many Louisiana residents. Edwards also says he wants to put money towards better roads, even if that means increasing the state’s gasoline tax…
cut 14 (07) “…traffic congestion”
The legislative session will conclude on June 8th.

As is typical when the weather warms up, the price at the pump also starts going up. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says refineries are switching from a winter grade of gasoline to a summer…:
CUT 11 (10) “a gallon”
The current statewide average is $2.19.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he will resign if the federal government is holding up flood recovery financial assistance…
Voicer 1 (29) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Christopher Few was arrested over the weekend in Avoyelles Parish on a domestic abuse charge. Few is the father of Jeremy Mardis, the six-year-old autistic boy killed during a police chase. Chief Deputy Steven Martel says Few is in their parish jail and he also has outstanding warrants for theft in St. Landry…
cut 15 (05) “….on him”

The 2017 session is underway and Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers now is the time to pass long-term tax reform that provides budget stability, so Louisiana can better fund its priorities. Edwards is pushing a plan that would increase taxes on many businesses, but promises to lower taxes on most Louisiana residents…:
Cut 13 (12) “days ahead”
Edwards said he can’t respect legislators who vote no on every proposal, without offering their own ideas. The session must end June 8th.

Gas prices are on the rise. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the cost of regular gasoline rose 7 cents a gallon over the last week to $2.19….:
Cut 10 (11) “their equipment”

The feud between Governor John Bel Edwards and Congressman Garret Graves over the pace in which flood victims are getting federal aid heats up. Graves said he’s so confident that the state is at fault, he’d resign if it was actually the federal government slowing things down…:
Cut 8 (08) “or not”
But the Governor’s spokesman, Richard Carbo, says these kinds of comments aren’t doing anything to help homeowners…:
Cut 9 (08) “not accurate”
Carbo says he has a letter from HUD saying the state has not received the funds yet.

Meanwhile today was the first day flood victims could fill out a survey that would help state leaders determine how to distribute the money. The mandatory questionnaire is online at restore.la.gov, or you can call 1-866-735-2001.

The 2017 Legislative session is officially underway in Baton Rouge. Governor John Bel Edwards spoke to lawmakers in a joint session and outlined what he hopes to see accomplished over the next two months. He said among his proposals, he wants to model Louisiana’s sales tax structure utilizing best practices from other states. He urged lawmakers to take a serious look at what we can do to better invest in our state’s roads — Increase minimum wage and support equal pay. And work to reduce the state’s highest-in-the-world incarceration rate. He says the most important thing they all must do, is work together…:
CUT 25 (10) “people of Louisiana”
He said he hopes politics and partisanship don’t blur the path to the goal. The session must end by noon on June 8th.

Gas prices are on the rise as the summer driving season approaches. AAA Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the statewide average of $2.19 is about 7 cents higher than the prior week which is typical for this time of year.
Cut 12 (11) “in June”
Gas prices are at their highest level since January.

The father of the 6-year-old autistic boy killed by a Marksville deputy marshal has been arrested for allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend. Chief Deputy Steven Martel with the Avoyelles Sheriff’s Office says they received a call Saturday about a domestic dispute between 26-year-old Christopher Few and his girlfriend.
Cut 3 (09) “strangle her”
Few is charged with domestic abuse battery.