A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward, but with significant changes. Kevin Gallagher has more…
Cut 1 (45) “I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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A bill that would raise taxes on vapor products and electronic cigarettes and use the first $22 million raised every year for State Police pay hikes was approved by the House Ways and Means Committee. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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A bill to prohibit the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools passed in the House. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Former State Representative and current First Secretary of State, Nancy Landry, announces her candidacy for Secretary of State. Landry says her legislative experience and legal background make her the best candidate for the position.
Cut 4 (10) “…accurate elections.”
The Heritage Foundation ranks Louisiana ranks 6th in the nation for election integrity, and Landry says she wants to take the state to the top of the list. Current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced last month that he will not seek re-election.
Landry says replacing outdated voting machines is key to improving the state’s ranking and it’s best if new machines have a paper component in addition to electronic.
Cut 5 (09) “…right now.”
The Lafayette native attended LSU and LSU Law School and represented House District 31 from 2008 – 2019. Landry says it’s important with a Presidential election in 2024, that the next Secretary of State has election experience.
Cut 6 (13) “…and the experience.”
Speaker of the House Clay Schexnayder, south Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair, and PSC Commissioner Mike Francis have also announced their intentions to run for Secretary of State.
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A bill that would have barred ANYONE under 21 from entering a bar moves forward but with significant changes. In its current form, bar owners would be accountable for bad acts done to or committed by underage patrons to whom they serve alcohol. Speaking to a senate committee in support of Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell’s bill was Lauren LeBlanc, godmother of 19-year-old Madison Brooks, the LSU student who died after an excessive night of drinking at a Tigerland bar. She asks members to pass the legislation…:
Cut 7 (11) “…consume alcohol.”
Brooks was with four men – three of them underage – at a Tigerland bar, where investigators say she was served at least 20 drinks. Reggie’s Bar has a reputation for serving persons under 21 and recently lost their liquor license permanently over the Brooks case. Ms. LeBlanc says it’s time for lawmakers to crack down on bar owners…:
Cut 8 (09) “…done for profit.”
Mizell’s original bill sought to bar ANYONE under 21 from being served, from entering a bar at all, and from working in bars. She voluntarily amended the bill to make bar owners who serve (or over-serve) minors accountable for deaths, injuries, and damage done by intoxicated underage customers. Mizell says fines for offenses would start at $5000 and go as high as $15-thousand for subsequent offenses. It would also grant survivors the right to civil action…:
Cut 9 (10) “…do it illegally.”
Under Mizell’s amended bill, persons 18 to 20 could still enter bars and even work at a bar. She says, however, bar owners are not required to permit either of those things…:
Cut 10 (09) “…choice they make.”
The bill passes the Senate Judiciary B Committee and moves to the Senate floor.
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The House Ways and Means Committee approves legislation to increase taxes on vapor products and electronic cigarettes and dedicates the first $22 million raised annually for State Police pay raises. Covington Representative Paul Hollis is honored to carry this bill through the legislature.
Cut 11 (12) “…this tax.”
The state imposed an excise tax at a rate of $0.05 per milliliter on consumable vapor products in 2015 but the new bill changes the rate to 15% of the retail selling price of vape products. State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis says is growing problems due to pay disparity.
Cut 12 (10) “…we pay.”
The average salary for a State Trooper after their first year is nearly $51,000. With an increase in mass shootings and crime across the nation, Davis urged lawmakers to consider the sacrifices officers make on a daily basis.
Cut 13 (07) “…them enough.”
The bill heads to the House.
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A bill to prohibit the instruction or discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools passed in the House after an hour-long debate. Critics refer to the legislation as the “Don’t Say, Gay Bill.” Bill author Houghton Representative Dodie Horton…
Cut 14 (12) “…this is.”
A former teacher and New Orleans Representative Candace Newell spoke in opposition to the bill. She says merely prohibiting the discussion tells trans and gay students they don’t matter.
Cut 15 (10) “…against them.”
Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo supported the bill and says teachers should only be teaching the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Cut 16 (12) “…the students.”
The bill passed in the House 67 to 28 and advances to the upper chamber.
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LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon has been busy in the transfer portal as he tries to bring a winning product to Baton Rouge. He’s officially signed four transfers, three of them are Louisiana natives from the Baton Rouge area, Jordan Wright, Jalen Cook and Carlos Stewart. After going 2-and-16 in the SEC last season, McMahon knew he needed some veteran players to jump start the program…
Cut 17 (22) “.this spring”
LSU struggled to score last season. McMahon says the four transfer players he’s brought in are guys who can score…
Cut 18 (24) “..this past season”
LSU is also expected to add six-foot-ten center Hunter Dean from Mandeville. Dean averaged nine points and six rebounds a game for George Washington last season.
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former Ragin Cajuns cornerback and New Iberia native Trey Amos has committed to Alabama. LSU targeted Amos who is considered one of the better players in the transfer portal. Wilson Alexander covers LSU football for the Advocate and he says Amos would have been a nice addition…
Cut 19 (24) “…might have helped.“
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