A bill setting the minimum age for marriage in Louisiana at 16-years-old advances out of the Senate. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The bill to bring legalized sports betting to Louisiana casinos and racetracks clears another legislative hurdle. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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Governor John Bel Edwards is seeking federal assistance to help pay for the nearly six-million dollars in preliminary uninsured damages to Ruston from an EF-3 tornado. Edwards says unfortunately because of bureaucratic rules, it might be awhile before the federal dollars arrive
La Tech has an estimated five million dollars in uninsured damages and the total amount of damages is about 20-million dollars. The school’s baseball, softball and soccer stadiums have to be rebuilt and there’s also damage to the university’s housing units. Edwards says the rebuild will take awhile
Edwards says once the rebuild is over, Louisiana Tech and the city of Ruston will be stronger…
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The Senate has advanced a bill to set a minimum age on marriage to 16, so long as there is not an age gap of four years or greater between the two parties when one is under 18. Bill author Baton Rouge Sen. Yvonne Colomb, says minimum ages are set in other aspects in life in an effort to protect young people.
Cut 6 (09) “…could live with.”
Winnfield Senator Gerald Long spoke in opposition of the bill, saying that less than 1% marry before the age of 18, adding the arbitrary number could result in unintended consequences.
New Orleans Senator JP Morrell spoke in favor of the regulation, saying it combats human trafficking in the state.
The bill advances to the House following a 22-15 vote.
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A 30-year license extension for the Harrah’s land-based casino in New Orleans heads to the Senate floor for final passage after clearing a Senate committee. The deal features tens of millions of dollars in payments to the state, and calls for 325 million in upgrades to the facility, including a new hotel. Caesars’ VP of Governmental relations David Satz says it’s a fair deal.
Reoccurring revenue from the deal will be sent to education specific funds.
Last year the renewal push fell apart amidst cries that Louisiana was getting ripped off relative to similar deals in other states, so this year’s deal will pay the state 130 million dollars more over the length of the deal. Satz says this agreement is incline with the national market.
Caesar’s Regional President of the South Dan Real says this deal gives them the confidence to invest in hundreds of millions into the property, which will generate more revenue for the state.
Once the deal is finalized, the state will receive an immediate payment of 17.5 million dollars, and the City of New Orleans will receive 7.5 million.
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The House Criminal Justice Committee votes 11-to-6 to allow sports betting at the state’s riverboats casinos, racetracks and the land-based casino in New Orleans. Opponents say it’s an expansion of gambling, but Gretna Representative Joseph Marino says sports betting is already taking place illegally, so why not regulate it
Albany Representative Sherman Mack expressed that college athletes, who need money, may get involved in throwing games in order to win money. Metairie Senator Danny Martiny says they can already do that…
Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges voted against the bill because she says sports betting can destroy families. But Martiny says that can happen now and the state gets no benefit from it, because it’s not regulated
The sports betting bill has already been approved by the Senate and it may end up before House Appropriations to examine the fiscal impact to the state.