The US Supreme Court ruled today that states like Louisiana can collect online sales taxes on purchases made from companies that do not have a physical presence in the state where the purchase is made from. Jason DeCuir is a partner in a Global Tax Consulting Firm called Ryan and he says this will result in additional tax revenue for Louisiana, but there’s no firm timeline on when that will happen.
cut 12 (13) “…sales tax”
The potential of Louisiana receiving more tax revenue in the future from online sales has worked its way into the debate at the state capitol as lawmakers discuss sales tax bills that would be used to close a budget deficit that hits on July 1st. Votes were expected on those proposals today, but it has yet to happen.

Louisiana no longer leads the nation for its incarceration rate. Governor John Bel Edwards says that unwanted distinction goes to Oklahoma….
cut 9 (11) “…incarceration rate”
According to the latest data made public by the Advocate Newspaper. Oklahoma incarcerates 719 people per 100-thousand residents, while Louisiana is at 712 inmates per 100-thousand citizens.

The caretakers for LSU’s live mascot, Mike the Tiger, are asking visitors to his home on campus, not to turn their back to him. It could result in Mike rushing the fence or glass that surrounds his habitat. LSU School of Veterinary Medicine spokesperson Ginger Guttner says even though Mike is still a playful juvenile, he is also a predatory animal….
cut 5 (06) “…for him”
Guttner says they are concerned Mike could break his teeth if he hits the glass too hard, if he tries to rush a person who has his back turned to him.

A U-S Supreme Court ruling issued today gives states the authority to collect sales taxes on online purchases. Previously, Louisiana and other states couldn’t collect taxes on items bought from a warehouse or store that didn’t have a physical presence in their state. Global Tax Consultant Jason DeCuir says today’s ruling changes those rules…
cut 11 (11) “….taxes”
DeCuir says Louisiana will collect more tax revenue, but there’s not a firm timeline on when that will happen.

Meanwhile, at the state capitol there’s been very little movement towards passing a sales tax bill in the House to address the fiscal cliff that arrives July 1st. The Supreme Court ruling on internet sales tax collections has some lawmakers wondering if the state will soon collect more revenue.

LSU’s Vet school is asking visitors to Mike’s Habitat on campus not to turn their back too long on Mike the Tiger. Recent viral video showed Mike slowly approaching a person with his back turned to the Habitat and then the Bengal Tiger jumped onto the glass. LSU’s Ginger Guttner says Mike is a predatory animal, so what he did is not a surprise, but they want to make sure he’s not rushing at the glass….
cut 4 (13) “…elements”
Also no pets or stuffed animals near Mike’s Habitat.

Thanks to a generous donation from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’ Neal, student-athletes at Lafayette High School are working out in a weight room. Football Coach Rob Pool can’t thank Shaq enough…
cut 8 (08) “….look first class”
Shaq’s donation was part of South Louisiana Giving Day.

Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…

Cut 2 (31) ”  I’m Connor Ferrill” 

According to the latest data made public by the Advocate Newspaper,  Oklahoma incarcerates 719 people per 100-thousand residents, while Louisiana is at 712 inmates per 100-thousand citizens. When running for office, Edwards promised to reduce the state’s prison population and last year the legislature approved 10 criminal justice reform bills to jump-start the process.

Cut 10 (03) “…better direction.”

LSU’s Mike the Tiger has gone viral after a video was posted of him slowly stalking several guests visiting his habitat. The guests turned their backs to Mike which prompted him to approach the glass enclosure before pouncing against it. The spokesperson for the LSU School of Veterinarian Medicine, Ginger Guttner, asks Mike’s visitors to not turn their backs to him.

Cut 3 (08) “…looks like prey.”

The Mighty Lions of Lafayette High School are working out in their new weight room today, thanks to a generous donation by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal to help fund the project that cost a little more than $40,000. Football coach Rob Pool says he feels Shaq’s donation sparked other contributions to get the weight room put together.  Without it, it would have been another two years before they could have raised the necessary money.

Cut 7 (10)  “…helped as well.”

It’s an important day at the State Capitol as the House is expected to vote on three different sales tax bills that could generate millions of dollars of revenue that can be used to close a budget deficit just over 500-million dollars. The proposals will take 70 votes to pass and it’s unclear if the votes are there.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved utility provider SWEPCO’s plan to purchase part of the Wind Catcher project. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

Louisiana no longer leads the nation for its incarceration rate. Governor John Bel Edwards says that unwanted distinction goes to Oklahoma….
cut 9 (11) “…incarceration rate”
According to the latest data made public by the Advocate Newspaper. Oklahoma incarcerates 719 people per 100-thousand residents, while Louisiana is at 712 inmates per 100-thousand citizens.

The Mighty Lions of Lafayette High School are working out in their new weight room today, thanks to a generous donation by former NBA superstar Shaquille O’ Neal to help fund the project that cost a little more than $40,000. Football coach Rob Pool says he was stunned when Shaq stepped in to fill the budget gap.
Cut 6 (11) “…more grateful.”
Shaq’s donation was part of South Louisiana Giving Day, which was organized by the Community Foundation of Acadiana.

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax.  The fiscal cliff arrives on July 1st and this third special session must conclude Wednesday. Governor John Bel Edwards says its anxious times….

Cut 12 (07) “…the cliff”

Over a hundred students from around the state congregated at the state capital in an effort to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.  Among them, Kayla English of Delgado Community College, says she has optimism for funding and hopes others will make their voices heard.

Cut 13 (09)  “…students like me.” 

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves SWEPCO’s plan to use energy from a wind farm that’s under construction in Oklahoma. P-S-C member Foster Campbell says the Wind Catcher Energy Connection is clean energy that will produce long-term savings for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The lone no vote on the commission came from Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says SWEPCO is not short on power and the company can’t guarantee fuel savings.

U-S Representative Ralph Abraham is one of several co-sponsors on a bill that seeks to extend I-14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham says there is money for the project, but it will also take state dollars to get it done…
cut 5 (11) “….finish line”
The I-14 extension bill is waiting for a hearing in a House committee.

Over a hundred college students congregated in front of the Capitol to let their voices be heard on the topic of funding for higher ed and TOPS.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The full House convenes at 10:30 this morning and a vote is expected on three different sales tax bills that would generate revenue to soften cuts to college campuses, TOPS, public safety programs, state parks and district attorneys’ offices. There’s a 506-million dollar deficit for next fiscal year and none of the bills approved by the committee fully fund the budet.

US Representative Ralph Abraham is co-sponsoring legislation that seeks to extend Interstate 14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham believes he can get congressional approval, because of the expansion would provide Fort Polk and Beauregard military bases with quicker and easier access to the deployment port in Beaumont, Texas…
Cut 6 (10) “…ideal solution”
The legislation is awaiting a hearing in a House committee.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves a plan for utility provider SWEPCO to use wind energy from a 4-point-five billion dollar Oklahoma wind energy project that’s currently under construction. PSC Member Foster Campbell says it’s important for Louisiana customers to have more alternate energy options…
cut 8 (09) “….we have to diversify”
The Wind Catcher is expected to come on line in 2020.

College students held a rally at the State Capitol last night demanding that the legislature fully fund higher education and the TOPS scholarship program. Jeremy Gray is the Student Government President for Central Louisiana Technical Community College…
cut 15 (09) “…are taxpayers”

We’ll find out today if House members heard the message from college students as the lower chamber is expected to have the opportunity to vote on three different sales tax bills that would raise revenue to reduce the cuts to college campuses and TOPS. Governor John Bel Edwards is cautiously optimistic….
cut 11 (10) “…conclusion too”
It will take 70 yes votes for the sales tax proposals to advance to the Senate.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission approves SWEPCO’s plan to use energy from a wind farm that’s under construction in Oklahoma. P-S-C member Foster Campbell says the Wind Catcher Energy Connection is clean energy that will produce long-term savings for SWEPCO’s Louisiana customers…
cut 9 (08) “…in Louisiana”
The lone no vote on the commission came from Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says SWEPCO is not short on power and the company can’t guarantee fuel savings.

U-S Representative Ralph Abraham is one of several co-sponsors on a bill that seeks to extend I-14 from Texas into central Louisiana and Mississippi. Abraham says there is money for the project, but it will also take state dollars to get it done…
cut 5 (11) “….finish line”
The I-14 extension bill is waiting for a hearing in a House committee.

Will the House agree to a sales tax rate above four-percent in an effort to avoid significant cuts to state services. Connor Ferrill says we’ll find out today…
Cut 2 (31) ” I’m Connor Ferrill”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s optimistic the legislature is ont he right track to a successful conclusion of the special session. But members of the Legislative Black Caucus says they will vote against any sales tax proposal that doesn’t fill the entire deficit. None of the measures approved in committee yesterday do so.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved the Wind Catcher plan from SWEPCO to purchase the nation’s largest wind-power project that is currently under construction in the Oklahoma panhandle. North Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell led the argument in favor of proposed project.
Cut 7 (05) “…wind is free.”
The lone no vote came from PSC member Craig Greene of Baton Rouge, who says he could not vote to have SWEPCO customers finance an unneeded generation project that will only save them money if the price fo natural gas increases singificantly.

US Representative Ralph Abraham of Richland Parish has cosponsored legislation to expand I-14 into Central Louisiana and Mississippi. I-14 currently ends a few miles west of Temple, Texas. Abraham says the legislation is waiting for a hearing in a House committee and it has the support of congressmen from Texas and Mississippi…
Cut 4 (08) “….into the economy”
Abraham says there is federal money for the project, but the state will have to pay a portion of the costs.

A vote on the House floor is expected today on three different sales tax bills that raise different amounts of money and they renew up to a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic one of those bills will reach his desk, if not, significant cuts will occur…
Cut 10 (11) “…cut”
And that cut to higher education was one reason why college students rallied outside of the state capitol late yesterday afternoon. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says the lack of funding may have students finiding they can’t complete what they started with their education endeavors…
cut 14 (09) “….not being fully funded”
The full House is set to convene at 10:30 this morning. It will take 70 yes votes for the tax proposals.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved utility provider SWEPCO’s plan to purchase part of the Wind Catcher project. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) I’m Kevin Barnhart“

A new state-of-the-art weight room opens today at Lafayette High School thanks to a significant donation from NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’ Neal.