81-year-old Delhi Representative Francis Thompson who has represented northeast Louisiana in the state legislature for almost 50 years has switched parties. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________________________
There is a new man leading the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. Jeff Palermo talked with Jim Patterson about L-A-B-I’s priorities in the upcoming legislative session
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”
_______________________________________________
Entergy files for state regulatory permission to vastly expand its solar energy capabilities. Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
_____________________________________________
The newest member of the state Republican Party is the longest-serving member of the Louisiana legislature. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a lifelong Democrat and by joining the GOP both chambers are a Republican super majority. The 81-year-old says he’d been contemplating switching parties for years.
The redistricting session last year played a role in the decision because District 19 is majority red. Thompson voted then with Republicans to overturn Governor Edwards’ veto of a congressional map. He says his values are more aligned with the GOP nationally and on the state level and the switch comes after almost 50 years in the legislature.
Cut 5 (09) “…Republican party.”
When the regular session begins next month Thompson says how he votes will not change but for the first time, Thompson will have an “R” beside his name instead of a “D” on the October ballot.
Thompson was the lone Democrat to join Republicans to vote for the state’s first veto override session to reverse Edwards’s veto of legislation to ban transgender girls from female sports and to remove restrictions on conceal carry.
_____________________________________________
Federal regulators have approved Canadian Pacific’s acquisition of Kansas City Southern, a huge step towards reestablishing passenger rail service linking Baton Rouge to New Orleans. A passenger train has not run between both major cities since 1969. Baton Rouge Area Foundation Vice President John Spain says the deal specifically says the deal would allow Amtrak to add passenger service on the K-C-S owned line…
Another obstacle is getting the funding to establish the service. The largest price tag is nearly $108 million to replace the bridge across the Bonne Carre Spillway and the Louisiana Department of Transportation has applied for federal grants to help cover 80% of the cost. Spain says the pieces are starting to fall into place.
The passenger line would include stops in Baton Rouge, Gonzales, LaPlace, Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport, and Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans. Spain says this is a great solution for transportation infrastructure issues.
A decision on the grant awards could happen by the end of the year.
_______________________________________________
Longtime L-A-B-I official Jim Patterson is the interim president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, taking over for now gubernatorial candidate Stephen Waguespack. With the legislative session coming up, Patterson says L-A-B-I will be involved in the property insurance crisis and they would like to see the legislature address the high taxes on insurance premiums…
Cut 10 (10) “…fiscal session.”
Patterson says they will also be involved in discussions about eliminating the state’s income tax and phasing out the state’s inventory tax, but that maybe difficult to do in an election year.
Patterson says they will oppose any bills that seek to prevent carbon capturing. Some lawmakers do not like the idea of capturing emissions and burying them underneath the ground or a waterway. But Patterson says
Cut 11 (11) “… prevent a risk”
And Patterson says the business lobbying group will oppose efforts to raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour. He says it will drive up inflation even more….
Cut 12 (12) “…goods and services.”
______________________________________________
Entergy is seeking regulatory blessing to make a huge increase in its amount of renewable energy. Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May says they have filed a request with the Public Service Commission to add another 3 gigawatts of solar power to its generation portfolio. May says there are billions in potential investments in Louisiana, but many firms want to see a commitment to renewable energy sources…:
Cut 13 (10) “…important for them.”
The proposed additional solar power facilities would – if approved – be built in Iberville and Ouachita parishes, and would bring hundreds of jobs during construction. May says increasing Entergy’s green energy portfolio will likely bring billion into the state…:
Cut 14 (11) “…made in Louisiana.”
May says the 3-gigawatt proposal will benefit local economies by way of tax revenues and wages. He says there are numerous advantages in expanding Entergy’s renewables energies, such as…:
Cut 15 (11) “…renewable portfolio.”
Collectively, there are now 3,225 megawatts (3.23 gigawatts) of solar power in the approval queue for Entergy.
__________________________________________________
The LSU Lady Tigers are headed to the Sweet 16 as they defeated Michigan 66-42 in front of a loud crowd inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Angel Reese was outstanding for LSU as she had 25 points, 24 rebounds, and six blocked shots. Reese says she was hungry for a win…
LSU heads to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2014 and they’ll play Utah. Coach Kim Mulkey says the program has reached another milestone…
LSU held Michigan to a season-low 42 points and outrebounded the Wolverines 46-26. LSU led by 15 at halftime, but Michigan quickly scored the first points of the second half. So Mulkey called a time-out and reminded the team of blowing a 17-point lead against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament…
__________________________________________________
New Saints running back Jamaal Williams comes to New Orleans after leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 17. Williams rushed for 1,066 yards and averaged 4.1 yards a carry. But Williams says he also has the capability to break off long runs…
New Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders had a career-high 3.5 sacks last season and also a career-high 48 tackles with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Saunders says it was a read-and-react defense in Kansas City and likes that the Saints play a more attacking style of “D”…