Now that the state has found a solution to the fiscal cliff with the passage of a sales tax bill, the focus in state politics will turn towards next year’s governor’s race. GOP House Chairman Lance Harris says Republicans remain committed towards reducing the size of state government, but that can’t happen with Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in office…
cut 5 (10) “…governor’s office”
But House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says the Democratic coalition’s ability to preserve healthcare, higher ed, and TOPS sends a strong message about the party’s values heading into the governor’s race, as well as their success in solving the budget crisis created by the last administration.
Cut 6 (09) “honest budgeting”
Qualifying for the 2019 governor’s race is just over 13 months away.

Louisiana launches a new website today that will help residents track government spending. It can be found at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says the website will contain employee salaries, contract data and incentive spending on economic development projects. Berry says the website comes with a user friendly interface….
cut 12 (03) “….for the citizens”

That woman who was pulled out of a burning car in Western Canada last week by a group of baseball players, including three from Southeastern Louisiana, continues to recover from her minor injuries. Evan Pace of Zachary was the first to get to 67-year-old Linda Jack, who was stunned her S-U-V ran off the road and started on fire. Pace says once they got her out of the burning vehicle, they took her to the nearest hospital….
cut 15 (11) “…back home”
The S-L-U players are playing summer baseball with a team based out of Washington State.

State leaders have had a week now to stew about the results of the special session that ended with a 4.45 percent sales tax rate that fully funds most state programs. With the fiscal cliff in the rear view mirror, attention now turns to next year’s governor’s race. GOP House Chairman Lance Harris says the results of the session make it clear the state needs a conservative governor.
Cut 4 (12) “the governor”
But Democrats say their members stepped up to make sure health care, higher ed, and TOPS were fully funded.
Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this fall will lack political drama, but get ready for fireworks next year…
cut 9 (07) “…for Louisiana”

With much of the recent attention on funding Louisiana’s budget, the state is making upgrades to the way residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent as they roll out the Louisiana Checkbook today. The website mirrors efforts in other states to improve transparency. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jacques Berry, says he hopes the push for more openness in government spending will catch on.
Cut 10 (09) “…in the nation.”
The website goes online today and it can be found at checkbook-dot-la-dot-gov.

Former LSU standout and Shreveport golfer David Toms won the U-S Senior Open yesterday as he shot three-under part for the tournament in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A week later, state leaders are beginning to get a firm idea of just what the special session will mean for the upcoming governor’s race. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30)  I’m Matt Doye.“

_____________________________________________

Residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent as the state is rolling out a new website known as the Louisiana Checkbook.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) ”  I’m  Kevin Barnhart” 

_____________________________________________

Three SLU baseball players saved a woman from a car fire in Canada. Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 3 (27) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

_____________________________________________________

State leaders have had a week now to stew about the results of the special session that ended with a 4.45 percent compromise sales tax that fully funds most state programs. With the fiscal cliff in the rear view mirror, attentions now turn to the upcoming Governor’s race next year. GOP House Charmain Lance Harris says the results of the session make it clear the state needs a conservative governor.

Cut 4  (12) “the governor”

Harris watched as most of the Republican backed spending cuts and budget reform bills were defeated in the legislature, or vetoed by the governor. He says that won’t stop his caucus from continuing to push for that legislation, but he says those cuts won’t be possible as long as Governor John Bel Edwards sits in the governor’s mansion.

Cut 5  (10)  “governor’s office”

But Democrats are touting the results. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Robert Johnson says the Democratic coalition’s ability to preserve healthcare, higher ed, and TOPS sends a strong message about the party’s values heading into the governor’s race, as well as their success in solving the budget crisis created by the last administration.

Cut 6 (09) “honest budgeting”

Despite initial opposition to renewing any portion of the one cent sales tax, specifically from the Black Caucus who felt that sales taxes hit the working class hardest, Democrats voted nearly unanimously for the partial renewal.

Johnson says with the fiscal cliff in the rear view mirror, and a major election year coming up, he expects Democrats to begin rallying behind one message in particular.

Cut 7 (09)  “focus on”

Johnson says it’s not just teachers who need a raise, but all school support personnel.

Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he expects US Senator, and former State Treasury Secretary, John Kennedy to be Governor John Bel Edwards’ main opponent for the governor’s mansion. He says having Kennedy spearhead a conservative push in Louisiana next year will likely boost the profile of the 22 House Republicans who refused the final tax bill.

Cut 8 (09)  “revenue problem”

Pinsonat says expect the partisan rhetoric to start ramping up the closer we get to 2019, with the sales tax compromise and final budget the mostly avoided any notable cuts being major wedges issue for candidates seeking reelection

Cut 9 (07)  “for Louisiana”

______________________

With much of the recent attention on funding Louisiana’s budget, the state is making upgrades to the way residents can keep a better eye on how tax dollars are spent as they roll out the Louisiana Checkbook. The website mirrors efforts in other state’s like Ohio to improve transparency. Policy Director at the Division of Administration, Jaques Berry, says he hopes the push for more openness in government spending will catch on.

Cut 10 (09)   “…in the nation.”

Berry says the website will showcase expenditures as well as vendor payments for each department, allowing voters to dig deep into the particulars of each agency’s spending decisions.

Cut 11 (04) “…of state government.”

Berry says the website is easy to use, and comes with a user friendly interface that will be familiar to people who use modern cell phone apps.

Cut 12 (03) “…for the citizens.”

Three Southeastern baseball players alongside their coach saved a woman from a burning wreck of a car in the great north of Kelowna, Canada. The team was headed to a summer league game when SLU catcher Evan Pace says they saw smoke coming up out of a ditch alongside the road…

Cut 13 (12)  “…pretty quick” 

Pace says he and his teammates, Trey Morgan of West Feliciana, Kyle Schimpf of Covington, and Coach Darren Westergard weren’t sure what to expect running up to the vehicle…

US Congressman Clay Higgins is introducing legislation that would require imported seafood be held to the same safety standards as American seafood. The Importated Seafood Safety Standards Act would increase inspections to 20 percent of all food imported, up from roughly ten percent now, demand that food meet FDA standards, and require that first set of shipments from any new overseas company have 100 percent of its cargo inspected. The Republican Congressman says the bill faces opposition from major international seafood suppliers.

Cut 11 (09) “American Worker”

Those headed to the beach need to be aware of a menace plaguing Gulf waters. Gulf coast beaches, especially those in Florida are dealing with microscopic baby jellyfish known as sea lice. Audubon Aquarium Curator James Arnold, says those with particularly sensitive skin should be on the lookout for purple flags…

cut 8 (07) “…be aware of”

The NBA free agency period starts this Sunday at 12:01AM, and after one of the best years in franchise history, the Pelicans have a lot of big decisions to make. Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says bringing back the same crew likely will not be enough to push the team past Houston, Golden State, or a potential LeBron led Lakers team. New blood is needed to keep pace in the Western Conference arms race. Madison says the teams options are limited when it comes to bringing in that 3 and D wing they’ve been missing for more than half a decade.

Cut 5  (10) “depth here.”

The heat that has impacted the state this past week is now expected to continue through the weekend.  It’ll be hot but State Climatologist Barry Keim says this may be a great weekend for a gulf coast trip.

Cut 14 (04)  “…the beach, for sure.”

Louisiana US Congressman Clay Higgins is introducing legislation that would require imported seafood be held to the same safety standards as American seafood. Higgins says it’s not just about protecting the state and countries’ economic interest, he says allowing tons of uninspected food from countries with lax regulations to end up on American plates could be a public safety issues.

Cut 10 (12) “are tested.”

The bill would increase inspections to 20 percent of all food imported, up from roughly ten percent now, and require that first set of shipments from any new overseas company have 100 percent of its cargo inspected.

The heat that has impacted the state this past week is now expected to continue through the weekend.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says those temps will be much welcomed after the sweltering week experienced in the state.

Cut 13 (08) “…Saturday and Sunday.” 

Those headed to the beach need to be aware of a menace plaguing Gulf waters. Gulf coast beaches, especially those in Florida are dealing with microscopic baby jellyfish known as sea lice. Audubon Aquarium Curator James Arnold, says those who suffer from the stings aren’t out of luck as there is a tried and true remedy…

Cut 7 (09)  “…vinegar on it”

The NBA free agency period starts this Sunday at 12:01AM, and after one of the best years in franchise history, the Pelicans have a lot of big decisions to make. Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says the team is making a push to bring back Rajon Rondo, whose leadership and ball handling allowed the team to get a career year out of Jrue Holliday. He says if the price is right, he’ll be back in Red, Blue, and Gold

Cut 4  (12) “his career”

Southwest Louisiana US Congressman Clay Higgins is introducing legislation that would require imported seafood be held to the same safety standards as American seafood. The Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act would beef up the amount of inspections conducted on foreign fish. Higgins says US protecting US seafood isn’t just a Bayou issue.

cut 9 (10)  “playing field.”

The bill would increase inspections to 20 percent of all food imported, and require that first set of shipments from any new overseas company have 100 percent of its cargo inspected.

The heat that has impacted the state this past week is now expected to continue through the weekend.  According to state climatologist Barry Keim, a weak trough is expected to form along the northern Gulf Coast and will increase the chance for thunderstorms and bring down temps around the area, but only by a bit.

Cut 12 (07)   “…mid to upper nineties”

Those headed to the beach need to be aware of a menace plaguing Gulf waters. Gulf coast beaches, especially those in Florida are dealing with microscopic baby jellyfish known as sea lice. Audubon Aquarium Curator James Arnold, says beachgoers should watch for a purple flag as the creatures aren’t something that can be seen in the water…

Cut 6 (12)  “…hour or so later.”

The NBA free agency period starts this Sunday at 12:01AM, and after one of the best years in franchise history, the Pelicans have a lot of big decisions to make. Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says it could be a dramatic few days, as New Orleans has crucial call to make about whether to resign All-Star Center Demarcus Cousins, who’s coming off a major injury.

Cut 3 (11) “friendly deal.”

The NBA free agency period starts this Sunday at 12:01AM, and after one of the best years in franchise history, the Pelicans have a lot of big decisions to make. Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says it could be a dramatic few days, as New Orleans has a big decision to make about whether to resign All-Star Center Demarcus Cousins, who’s coming off a major injury. Madison says despite the league’s move away from bigger players, Cousins still has a place in New Orleans.

Cut 29 (11) “friendly deal.”

It’s not just Boogie on the market, point guard Rajon Rondo, who excelled leading the Pels up tempo attack last year after Cousins went down is out of contract. Madison says Rondo’s leadership and ball handling allowed the team to get a career year out of Jrue Holliday, and he expects they’ll fight to bring him back, if the price is right.

Cut 4  (12) “his career”

But bringing back the same crew likely will not be enough to push the team past Houston, Golden State, or a potential LeBron led Lakers team. Madison says the teams options are limited when it comes to upgrading their wing position, something they’ve missed for over a decade.

Cut 5  (10) “depth here.”

While he says the rumor mill is currently not connecting the Pels with any of the big names on the market, like Lebron James or Paul George, Madison says some more unheralded players could be the answer to the teams half decade old wing question.

22

And in LSU news, gymnastics coach DD Breaux has received a 47 percent raise.

Those headed to the beach need to be aware of a menace plaguing Gulf waters. Gulf coast beaches, especially those in Florida are dealing with microscopic baby jellyfish known as sea lice. Audubon Aquarium Curator James Arnold, says beachgoers should watch for a purple flag as the creatures aren’t something that can be seen in the water…

Cut 6 (11)  “…over 350 years.”

The heat that has impacted the state this past week is now expected to continue through the weekend.  According to state climatologist Barry Keim, a weak trough is expected to form along the northern Gulf Coast and will increase the chance for thunderstorms and bring down temps around the area.

Cut 13 (08)   “…Saturday or Sunday”

An invisible menace haunts the beaches of Florida this summer, Connor Ferrill has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Connor Ferrill”

The NBA free agency period starts this Sunday at 12:01AM, and the Pelicans have a lot of big decisions to make. Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says it could be a dramatic few days.  Bringing back the same crew likely will not be enough to push the team past Houston, Golden State, or a potential LeBron led Lakers team. Locked On Pelicans Publisher Jake Madison says the teams options are limited when it comes to bringing in that 3 and D wing they’ve been missing for more than half a decade.

Cut 5  (10) “depth here.”

Southwest Louisiana US Congressman Clay Higgins is introducing legislation that would require imported seafood be held to the same safety standards as American seafood. The Imported Seafood Safety Standards Act would beef up the amount of inspections conducted on foreign fish. Higgins says US protecting US seafood isn’t just a Bayou issue.  Higgins says allowing tons of uninspected food from countries with lax regulations to end up on American plates could be a public safety issues.

Cut 10 (12) “are tested.”

The heat that has impacted the state this past week is now expected to continue through the weekend.  According to state climatologist Barry Keim, a weak trough is expected to form along the northern Gulf Coast and will increase the chance for thunderstorms and bring down temps around the area.

Cut 12 (07)   “…mid to upper nineties”