Public School teachers are hitting the hip when it comes to paying for school supplies for their students. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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Gas prices are going up, in preparation for the summer season, a five cent per gallon rise in the last week. Becca Dill has more.
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The House sends a bill to the governor that would allow riverboat casinos to expand onto land. Matt Doyle has more.
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Public School teachers are hitting the hip when it comes to paying for school supplies for their students. A new survey released says teachers are spending about 250 dollars a year on notebooks, pens, and other supplies without reimbursement. Les Landon is a spokesperson for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
Landon says there is already a growing tide of discontent sweeping across the country. He adds Louisiana has not addressed it’s educational shortfalls for years.
The study also found that teachers in high-poverty schools were more likely to spend personal money on school supplies. Landon says it’s Louisiana’s turn to shake up the status quo.
Teachers who spend their own money for supplies are able to take a $250 federal tax deduction.
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A recent 5-cent rise in gas prices puts the state average at $2.59 a gallon. AAA fuel analyst, Don Redman, says multiple factors are all conspiring against the consumer. Redman says recent withdrawal from the Iran deal has negatively affected the market.
Gas prices during the summer typically fluctuates due to more traveling and reformulated fuel. Redman says in addition to increased sanctions, increased energy demands will affect national and global prices.
Redman has some good news though, he does not project that Louisiana will reach 3-dollars a gallon during the summer.
Redman says the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area averages around $2.54 a gallon.
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The House passed a 15 week abortion ban bill with amendments on a 78-9 vote, clearing one of the last hurdles before it arrives on the Governor’s desk for his likely approval. The Senate has already approved one version of the legislation. Denham Springs Representative Valerie Hodges says the legislation’s enactment is contingent on the results of a legal challenge to a similar bill in Mississippi.
The bill added an amendment that brings the date considered for conception up to the generally accepted medical standard.
Hodges says abortions after 15 weeks are dangerous for mothers.
Hodges says the legislation could prevent hundreds of abortions in Louisiana a year.
The bill heads back to the Senate.
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A bill that would allow riverboat casinos to come up out of the water passed is heading to the governor’s desk. The legislation would “modernize” riverboat casino regulations, allowing them to expand onto land near where they are berthed, and it changes the rules on gambling space. Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton and Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight discussed just how much gaming contributes to the state.
Gaming advocates have brought up the fact that the “riverboats” haven’t taken a ride down waterways in years. Baton Rouge Representative Denis Marcelle brought up the safety concerns that come with forcing facilities to exist over water.
But Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says the probative restrictions placed on the gaming industry are there for a reason, because Louisianans don’t want more gambling in the state, and he says passing this legislation would lead to an increase in the number of casino visitors.
The vote was 54-41.