LRN PM Newscall March 31

Governor Jeff Landry blames far left liberals for the defeat of Constitutional Amendment two. Sean Richardson reports voters overwhelming rejected it and Republicans were a large percentage of the no votes…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The shocking outcome of Saturday’s constitutional amendment election continues to reverberate around the state. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Louisiana voters overwhelmingly rejected four constitutional amendments, a political setback for Governor Jeff Landry and the Republican-led Legislature. Landry promoted Amendment 2, a tax reform measure, as part of his broader economic strategy, but 65-percent of voters voted against it. Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan Moeller says it was a decisive and appropriate verdict by the voters.

Cut 3 (09) “…bad policy outcomes.” 

Landry blamed liberal billionaire George Soros for the defeat, accusing Soros and far left liberals for pouring million dollars into the state with propaganda and lies about Amendment 2 , though he provided no evidence. Moeller says Republicans also voted against Amendment Two….

Cut 4 (14) “…in the first place.” 

Moeller says the rejection reflects voter frustration and skepticism toward sweeping constitutional changes…

Cut 5 (10) “…State Constitution.”

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The failure of the four constitutional amendments over the weekend continues to send shockwaves across the entire state. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, says Constitutional Amendment 2, which was the one that got by far the most attention, likely failed because it was way too much to unpack in a single election.

Cut 6 (09) “…people to digest.”

While it didn’t get quite the attention of Amendment 2, Procopio says Amendment 3 which would have allowed lawmakers to more easily expand the list of crimes juveniles can be charged as adults

Cut 7 (13) “…lot of people.”

Procopio says those organizing opposition to Amendment 3 also motivated voters to vote no on all other amendments on the ballot, leading to each one failing by a two to one split.

Cut 8 (08) “…way or another.”

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Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it was just not Democrats who voted down Constitutional Amendment Two. Pinsonat says conservatives were concerned that the passage of Amendment Two would make changes to property tax exemptions for churches…

Cut 9 (09)  “…to kill it.”

Landry told voters that the passage of Amendment Two could result in the state eliminating state income taxes one day. But Pinsonat says that didn’t motivate potential supporters of the amendment to vote

Cut 10 (10) “…just stayed home.”

A two-month long fiscal session begins in two weeks and Pinsonat says more tax reform items will likely be introduced. But he says the voters are more concerned about high insurance rates…

Cut 11 (09) “…public is.”

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The LSU women’s basketball team’s season ended Sunday with a loss to UCLA in the Elite Eight and now All-American guard Flau’jae Johnson has a decision to make. She’s eligible for next month’s WNBA draft and could forgo her senior season and turn pro. Johnson won a national championship at LSU her freshman season and averaged 18 points this season, her junior campaign. Coach Kim Mulkey would be sad to see Johnson go…

Cut 12 (13) “…our program.”

Johnson said she plans to talk over her decision with her family and Mulkey, before making an announcement on her future plans. Mulkey was Johnson’s first big recruit out of high school after she was hired at LSU…

Cut 13 (10)  “…Johnson.”

All-American forward Aneesah Morrow is not coming back next season as she’s used up her college eligibility. Morrow after transferred to LSU after two seasons at DePaul. She leaves LSU as one of the greatest rebounders in women’s college basketball history and gives a lot of credit to Mulkey…

Cut 14 (13) “…for that” .”

Mulkey finished with 1,714 rebounds, the third most in NCAA DI history.