A measure that would triple Louisiana lawmaker’s salaries beginning next year will be heard in House Governmental Affairs today. Teiko Foxx has more.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Teiko Foxx.”
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This year’s attempt to ban hand-held cell phone use while driving clears its first hurdle in the Legislature…:
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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Legislation to extend the state’s film tax credit incentive for ten years passes in the lower chamber but without some drama on the House floor. Brooke Thorington has the scene.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The State Health Department releases the grades of more than 900 community water systems in Louisiana. The data is a culmination of 2021 legislation for the accountability and transparency of community water systems. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says residents have a right to clean and safe drinking water.
Cut 4 (11) “…with information.”
New Iberia Senator Fed Mills who authored the Community Drinking Water Accountability Rule, encourages you to look at your local water systems grade, and if it’s failing or close to it, ask your local government how they are addressing it…
Cut 5 (11) “…they’re doing.”
Mills says you should also look at the grades of nearby water systems because depending on their grade, consolidation of water systems might be the best option.
LDH Chief Engineer Amanda Ames led the implementation of the project and they will publish water-grade systems annually on May 1st. She says 65 percent of water systems received an A or B grade and 15 percent.
Cut 6 (09) “…population.”
Grades for 951 community water systems can be found at ldh.la.gov/watergrade.
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Legislation to increase the annual salary of members of the legislature from $16,800 to $60,000 will be heard in House Governmental Affairs today. Lawmakers have not received a raise since 1980. In an interview on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster”, Gretna Representative Joe Marino – the bill’s author – says Governor Edwards is on board, however:…
Cut 7 (08) “…calls for.”
Marino says the governor believes the annual legislative pay should be raised to 50 thousand dollars.
The proposed law would also increase the annual salary for the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives from $32,000 to $114,000. The Independent lawmaker says the biggest hurdle will be faced in the lower chamber…
Cut 8 (06) “…the House.”
The bill would also increase the salary for the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker pro tem of the House of Representatives from $24,500 to $87,400. Marino says the pay is too low for as much time as it takes to do an effective job…
Cut 9 (11) “…in the session.”
If the bill is approved, it will go into effect next year.
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A bill to ban hand-held use of a cell phone while driving passes its first hurdle in the legislature. The House Transportation Committee heard Breaux Bridge Representative Mike Huval’s bill Monday. In support was Jennifer Smith, with safety activist group “StopDistractions.org”, who says passing the bill into law will mean fewer car crashes…:
Cut 10 (10) “…in distracted driving.”
Smith tells committee members 65 percent of all Louisiana drivers are guilty of distracted driving, via using a cell phone behind the wheel…:
Cut 11 (09) “…seat belt and helmet laws.”
Several survivors of crash victims testified how a person distracted by their phone caused the death of a loved one. Speaking against the bill was Alexandria attorney Ed Tarpley, who says state law has already intruded too much into people’s personal lives…:
Cut 12 (13) “…several years ago.”
Also opposed to the bill, John Swisher, a professional tow truck driver, who characterized the measure as an attempted “money grab” that makes it harder for him to do his job…:
Cut 13 (12) “…right then and there.”
After over an hour of discussion, the panel voted 5-4 to move the bill to the House floor.
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A bill to extend the state’s film tax credit passes in the House. The legislation renews the current tax credit for a decade when the current incentive expires in July of 2025. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the incentive has a $6 return on investment for every dollar spent, but Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says the ROI is only 23 cents.
Cut 14 (10) “…Louisiana either.”
New Orleans Representative Mandy Landry says the film industry is not only important to her district but also to those Louisiana residents whose livelihood depends on the entertainment industry.
Cut 15 (12) “…health insurance.”
Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says he doesn’t believe the ROI that Nelson referred to is accurate, he says it’s underestimated especially when you look at the money a production spends locally, for example; hotels, restaurants, catering, dry cleaning, and more.
Cut 16 (11) “…gas revenues.”
The bill to continue the $150 million annual cap on the Film Tax credit passed in the House on a 74-24 vote and heads to a Senate Committee.
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The top-ranked LSU baseball team is in Hammond tonight to face a struggling Southeastern Louisiana team. The Lions are 19-21 overall, and in last place in the Southland with a 4-11 record. Tigers Coach Jay Johnson says S-L-U are speedsters on the base paths…
Cut 17 (12) “…of offense.”
The Lions have only 24 home runs, but they have 89 stolen bases. In 2014, when LSU visited Southeastern, 37 hundred fans were in attendance and Johnson is expecting another big crowd…
Cut 18 (19) “…they’ll beat you.”
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Cut 19 (17) “ play the game“
Cut 20 (13) “… right now”