Tomorrow the House Ways and Means Committee will vote on tax bills that the governor is asking for the legislature to approve so the state is not forced to make cuts to state services. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard is seeking to renew one-half an expiring one-cent sales tax, which would generate 507-million dollars. Havard says if the state going to raise taxes, he’d rather raise enough so no cuts have to be made…
cut 13 (05) “….at us”

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the Bayou State has the largest trade suprlus with China….
cut 6 (10) “….go to China”
Soybeans are among the hundreds of U.S. products China has singled out for tariffs.

Louisiana Tech has been recognized as having the top nursing program in the country as all of their recent graduates passed the licensing exam to be a nurse. Chair of the Division of Nursing at La Tech, Doctor Donna Hood, says it’s worthy recognition and it’s great because there’s a need for nurses…
cut 5 (11) “…that’s what they do”
The curtain call of the 2018 crawfish season is approaching. David Savoy with the Louisiana Crawfish Farmers Association says there is still some harvesting, but most of the crawfish may not find their way into boiling pots this year.
cut 9 (07) “…for next year.”
Savoy says the 2018 season got off to a late start, because of a cold January, but was able to meet demand by the time Easter rolled around.

A House committee heard testimony on tax bills during the first full day of the latest special session, but took no votes. That frustrated at least one lawmaker, Jackson Representative Kenny Havard, who has authored a bill to renew a portion of the one-cent sales tax that expires June 30th
Cut 12 (05) “…thank you.”
Over in the House Appropriations Committee, the state’s Health Secretary Rebekah Gee testified in front of the panel to discuss her agency’s budget. Many Republicans say the governor’s decision to expand the Medicaid program in 2016 is costing the state way too much money. But Gee says Medicaid has led to better health care for the state’s working poor, which is a cost savings
Cut 15 (07) “….too late.”
The state health department is not slated for any cuts next fiscal year.

There are over two thousand nursing programs throughout the United States, but only one can be ranked number one. Kevin Barnhart tells us who.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Southern Poverty Law Center is asking the state’s ethics board to investigate allegations of Louisiana district attorneys padding their budgets by using off-duty police officers to write traffic tickets that can eventually be dismissed for 175-dollar fee. The law center says it’s against the state’s ethics code for D-As to profit off the threat of prosecution.

There are over two thousand nursing programs throughout the United States, but only one can be ranked number one.  That distinction now belongs to Louisiana Tech University’s Division of Nursing.  During the 2017-18 academic year, 100 percent of the Louisiana Tech program passed the licensing exam.  What does it take to be a nurse?  Chair of the program Dr. Donna Hood explains the process.

Cut 4  (11) “…a registered nurse.”

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry.  President Trump initially proposed tariffs on 50-billion dollars in Chinese imports, because of an estimated 375-billion dollar trade deficit with China. And now the Trump administration is looking at imposing tariffs on another 200-billion dollars worth of Chinese goods as the trade dispute worsens. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says despite the negative impact to Louisiana, he understands the President’s position…

cut 8 (08) “other priorities”

The World Health Organization has classified excessive video game playing as a gaming disorder. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore hopes parents do not think that just because their child plays video games that they have a disorder. Moore says it has to be a serious issue….
cut 9 (12) “….it is problematic”
Moore hopes the World Health Organization provides clear cut criteria on what constitutes a gaming disorder.

Here’s a look at your commodities (minipig)

LRN, I’m Kevin Barnhart

Cut 11 (11) “…must come now.”

That’s Governor John Bel Edwards as he addressed both chambers saying it’s time to break free of the partisan gridlock as he opened the state’s latest special session.

The House Ways and Means Committee will begin discussing today the tax bills that have been filed in this third special session. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

There are over two thousand nursing programs throughout the United States, but only one can be ranked number one.  That distinction now belongs to Louisiana Tech University’s Division of Nursing. Chair of the program, Dr. Donna Hood credits the latest accolade to the determination of both the faculty and students.

Cut 3 (08) “…of this program.”

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing ranks programs based on the rate at which graduates pass the licensing exam.

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says Louisiana has done a lot of work to open up China to rice, beef and poultry exports…

Cut 7 (10)  “52-percent”

On the opening day of the third special session, Governor Edwards tells legislators to break free of the partisan gridlock as the state approaches the fiscal cliff. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (30) ” I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Discussion on tax bills begins today. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry says his legislation to renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax would provide the state with an additional 507-million dollars…
cut 14 (11) “…virtually impossible”

Outrage is growing over the Trump administration’s decision to separate immigrant families crossing the U-S-Mexico border. But Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise blames a law passed by the Democrats…
cut 5 (12) “…go back home”
The Archidocese of New Orleans says our current immigration laws are not fair or just.

The escalating trade war with China is not good news for Louisiana’s Agriculture Industry. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the Bayou State has the largest trade suprlus with China….
cut 6 (10) “….go to China”
Soybeans are among the hundreds of U.S. products China has singled out for tariffs.

The House Ways and Means Committee meets at this hour to discuss the various tax bills that would raise revenue to prevent or soften proposed cuts to state services. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry has authored the legislation Governor Edwards supports. Landry’s measure would renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax and the Democrat says there’s also public support behind his legislation
Cut 13 (08) “I’ve got”
But Erath Representative Blake Miguez says heard from residents in his district they want lower taxes and less government spending…
cut 16 (12) “….last year”
The House Appropriations Committee also meets to look at government spending.

The issue of immigration is a hot button topic again as criticism grows over the Trump administration’s decision to separate thousands of families along the U-S Mexico-border as part of a “zero tolerance” immigration enforcement policy. US Representative Steve Scalise from Metairie stands with President Trump on this issue….
cut 4 (09) “…every other country does”
The Archdiocese of New Orleans says current immigration laws are not fair or just.

The World Health Organization has classified excessive video game playing as a gaming disorder. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore hopes parents do not think that just because their child plays video games that they have a disorder. Moore says it has to be a serious issue….
cut 9 (12) “….it is problematic”
Moore hopes the World Health Organization provides clear cut criteria on what constitutes a gaming disorder.

There is widespread criticism of the Trump administration’s decision to separate migrant families trying to cross the U-S-Mexico border and charging the parents in criminal court. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise doesn’t want to spearate parents from children, but the problem can be solved if the U-S builds a wall to secure the border….
cut 6 (13) “…let’s go get that done”
The Archdiocese of New Orleans urges the federal government to stop putting children in detention facilities without their parents and make a sincere effort towards comprehensive reform.

Twenty-seven-year-old Paul Miller of Lafayette has been indicted for allegedly phoning in a bomb threat to a restuarant at the Trump Tower in New York City last September. Court records do not say where Miller made the call.

Another special session is underway. In an address to lawmakers, Governor John Bel Edwards said it’s time to break free of the partisan gridlock as the state approaches the fiscal cliff on July 1st.
Cut 10 (11) “…simply inexcusable.”
Without additional revenue, TOPS, higher education, food stamps and public safety programs will all receive cuts.

Video games can be a fun pass time, but now the World Health Organization says that compulsively playing video games qualifies as a new mental health condition. It’s a move that some critics warn may risk stigmatizing young players. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Michelle Moore says there needs to be clear cut criteria defined prior to labeling someone with this new mental illness.
Cut 7 (11) “…label to someone.”

With a new fiscal year set to begin July 1st, Governor John Bel Edwards says now is the time to come up with the necessary revenue to reduce a budget deficit of 500-million dollars…
cut 12 (09) “….for it”
Without additional revenue, TOPS, higher education and the food stamp program are all on the chopping block. But a group of House Republicans are a firm “No” on various sales tax bills. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the legislature can do a better job prioritizing the 29-billion dollar plus budget approved in the last special session…
Cut 15 (12) ” last year”
The House Appropriations Committee meets this morning and the Louisiana Department of Health is one of the state agencies set to testify.

Outrage is growing over the Trump administration’s decision to separate immigrant families crossing the U-S-Mexico border. But Louisiana Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise blames a law passed by the Democrats…
cut 5 (12) “…go back home”
The Archidocese of New Orleans says our current immigration laws are not fair or just.

The World Health Organization classifies “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition. But should playing video games qualify as a disorder? LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore says the W-H-O is going down a slippery slope….
cut 8 (10) “…cell phone addiction”
The U.N. health agency said that classifying “Gaming Disorder” as a separate condition will help public health experts be better prepared to identify the issue.