Governor Bobby Jindal vetoes legislation that would have put control costs on the TOPS Scholarship program. Under the proposed law, TOPS recipients next year would have 100-percent of tuition costs paid for, but the amount of the award would not automatically go up, when tuition rises. Supporters say the bill is needed, so the state can afford TOPS in future years, but Jindal says the legislation violates a promise that TOPS will cover a student’s tuition.

But the governor has signed the 24.5 billion dollar budget and a package of tax bills, including a 50-cent increase on a pack of cigarettes.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Communications Director are leaving his administration. It is fully expected that Kyle Plotkin and Shannon Dirmann will join with one Jindal’s most trusted political advisors, Timmy Teepell, on his presidential campaign team…
CUT 13 (10) Q: “this campaign”
That’s Jeremy Alford with LA-politics-dot-com.

Louisiana has received a one million dollar job training grant from the federal government that will be used to help unemployed workers and veterans join the workforce in North Louisiana. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Aaron Caffarel says the commission is excited to get this money that will expand employment opportunities…
cut 9 (08) “apprenticeship programs”

LSU Quarterback Anthony Jennings and two other players have been suspended from the team after being charged with unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling as a result of an incident that occurred at an on-campus apartment. Legal analyst Chick Foret says it is possible the charges could eventually be dropped…
cut 5 (09) “change of heart”
Foret says there is still a long way to go before these players’ football future is decided.