On the final day of the legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to approve a 50 cent per pack tax increase on cigarettes. That tax is expected to raise 108 million dollars for the state. The legislature also approved the SAVE fund which is critical for a revenue-neutral budget.

Colorado Congressman Jared Polis went on a crazy rant about “crayfish” directed at Minden Congressman John Fleming on the US House floor…
CUT 2 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”
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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has damage assessment teams in northwest Louisiana to gather information on the amount of damage as a result of the Red River flooding…
CUT 7 (11) “disaster declaration”
That’s GOHSEP deputy director Mark Riley.

The State House rejected a resolution today that asked Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to drop his appeal of a federal judge’s order to release the last of the Angola three. Albert Woodfox has been in solitary for over 40 years for killing a prison guard, but his last two convictions were overturned. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says it’s time to drop this:
cut 10 (09) “lose again”