Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has a warning for legislators; you can’t cut your way out to avoid going off the fiscal cliff…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to a reported 50-million-dollar, two-year-deal, with the Saints. Saints radio color analyst Deuce McAllister says in actuality it’s a one year deal as there’s a team option after the first year…
Cut 8 (08) “been made.”
Sources say Brees will receive 27-million dollars in guaranteed money.

Baton Rouge area Law enforcement are saddened over the death of a Zachary firefighter and reserve police officer Christopher Lawton. The 41-year-old was killed while on duty in an hit and run last night..
cut 13 (11) “…police department”
East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says a man and woman have been arrested and charged in connection with Lawton’s death.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in St. Joseph today to unveil a new water plant. The small town in Tensas Parish had been under a perpetual public health emergency declaration because of brown colored tap water. Those days are now gone according to governor’s communications director Shauna Sanford.
Cut 5 (12) “the community.”
The project cost over 8-million dollars and it was funded by state and federal dollars.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is warning lawmakers they can NOT cut their way to a balanced budget for next fiscal year. Dardenne testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee today and reiterated the governor’s call to wrap up the regular session in early May, so a special session can be called to raise revenue to close a large budget gap. Dardenne has a challenge for lawmakers who disagree.
Cut 14 (07) “the budget.”
House Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry has expressed optimism they can pass a budget while making large cuts.

Governor John Bel Edwards is once again calling on the legislature to approve a higher minimum wage. Edwards says the current minimum wage isn’t fair to workers.
Cut 28 (11) “two years”
Business groups say the market should set wages, not government.

House and Senate committees will meet Wednesday to discuss legislation that would trigger a constitutional convention. Much of the interest is due to the state’s current law that restricts cuts to only higher ed and health care when faced with a budget deficit. Senator Troy Carter, is one of several lawmakers calling for a constitutional convention.
Cut 30 (08) “21st century”
1974 was the last time Louisiana had a constitutional convention.

School safety will be a topic in this legislative session. West Monroe Senator Mike Walsworth has a bill that would make it legal for a student to bring a bulletproof backpack to school. Walsworth says they cost anywhere between 150 to 200 dollars on the internet….
cut 29 (08) “…specially made”
Walsworth says his legislation is a quick way to provide added safety for students.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is warning that lawmakers will not be able to cut their way to a balanced budget for next fiscal year. He reiterated the governor’s call to wrap up the regular session in early May, so that a special session that addresses revenue can be called to tackle the fiscal cliff. He says he’s already seeing the effects of the legislature’s inability to find a budget deal

Cut 16  (12)  “to them”

Residents of the small town of St. Joseph in Tensas parish are soaked with joy over a new water system that goes on-line today. Governor John Bel Edwards is in St. Joseph to celebrate. Shauna Sanford is the Governor’s communications director.

Cut 3 (11) “something about.”

Star quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to a 50-million-dollar two-year-deal with the saints. A reported 27-million-dollars is guaranteed. After just coming up short in making it to the NFC Championship Game, Saints analyst and former running back Deuce McAlister says Brees feels like the team still has a chance of making it to the Super Bowl

Cut 10 (10) “more guys.”

Reserve Zachary Police Officer 41-year-old Christopher Lawton was killed after two suspects allegedly ran over him in a Wal Mart parking lot in Baker. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says Lawton was trying to make an arrest when the suspects fled the scene.

Cut 11 (10) “the scene.”

Lawton was attempting to arrest 33-year-old Albert Franklin

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has a warning for legislators; you can’t cut your way out to avoid going off the fiscal cliff…..
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A federal appeals court in New Orleans heard arguments today on whether construction should resume on the Bayou Bridge Pipeline in the Atchafalaya Basin. Environmental groups argue the project will result in irreversible environmental damage. The company says they have received blessing from the Corps of Engineers to construct the pipeline in the swamp.

Zachary firefighter and reserve police officer Christopher Lawton is being labeled as a hero today after he was killed last night while in the line of duty. East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says Lawton and another Zachary police officer were working undercover in an effort to arrest 33-year-old Albert Franklin…
cut 12 (07) “…suspect”
Gautreaux says Lawton was killed when Franklin hit him with a U-Haul truck as he fled from a Walmart parking lot in Baker. Franklin and another woman were arrested.

Louisiana State Police say a 12-year-old shot and killed his seven-year-old brother in Lake Providence Monday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the two youngsters were together when the shooting occurred. They are still investigating how the older juvenile got a hold of a weapon…
Cut 6 (11) “old juvenile.”
Six children were at home at the time of the shooting while their mother was at work.

Reserve Zachary Police Officer 41-year-old Christopher Lawton was killed after two suspects allegedly ran over him in a Wal Mart parking lot in Baker. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says Lawton was attempting to arrest 33-year-old Albert Franklin on active felony warrants.  30-year-old Ashley Chaney was also in the U-Haul when they fled the scene…

Cut 11 (10) “the scene.”

Louisiana State Police say a 12-year-old shot and killed his seven-year-old brother in Lake Providence Monday. The seven-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Six children were at home at the time of the shooting while their mother was at work. Trooper Michael Reichardt says it’s an active and on-going investigation…

Cut 7 (08)  “that’s pending.”

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne is warning that lawmakers will not be able to cut their way to a balanced budget for next fiscal year. He testified in front of the House Appropriations Committee today and reiterated the governor’s call to wrap up the regular session in early May, so that a special session that addresses revenue can be called to tackle the fiscal cliff. Dardenne has a challenge for lawmakers who disagree.

Cut 14 (07) “the budget.”

Residents of the small town of St. Joseph in Tensas parish are soaked with joy over a new water system that goes on-line today. The town had been under a perpetual public health emergency declaration because of their old system. Those days are now gone according to Governor’s communication director Shauna Sanford.

Cut 5  (12) “the community.” 

The Governor was on hand for the ribbon cutting. The 8-million dollar project was funded by the state.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne had this message to lawmakers who believe they cut make 700-million dollars in cuts for next fiscal year and not impact state services….
cut 15 (12) “….to you”
Dardenne says they’ve already heard from their partner hospitals, who are planning to exit out of contracts with the state to provide care for the poor and uninsured.

Baton Rouge area Law enforcement are mourning the death of a Zachary firefighter and an unpaid reserve police officer with Zachary. 41-year-old Christopher Lawton was killed while on duty in an hit and run last night..
cut 13 (11) “…police department”
East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says a man and a woman have been arrested and charged in connection with Lawton’s death.

Clear, crisp, and more importantly clean water now flows through the water lines in the small northeast Louisiana town of St. Joseph. Jim Shannon has more.
Voicer 1 (31) “I’m Jim Shannon”

And there’s good news for the Saints fans today. The team has reportedly has agreed to a two-year, 50-million dollar contract with Quarterback Drew Brees. The 39-year-old was due to become a free agent tomorrow. He’ll reportedly receive 27-million dollars in guaranteed money.

Multiple reports say Quarterback Drew Brees has agreed to a 50-million-dollar, two-year-deal, with the Saints. Saints radio color analyst Deuce McAllister says in actuality it’s a one year deal as there’s a team option after the first year…
Cut 8 (08) “been made.”
Brees’ contract calls for him to receive 27-million dollars in guaranteed money.

Governor John Bel Edwards is once again calling on the state legislature to approve a higher minimum wage. Edwards says18 states raised their minimum wage this year and he says the current minimum wage isn’t right to workers.
Cut 11 (11) “two years”
Business groups say the market should set wages, not government.

Louisiana State Police say a 12-year-old shot and killed his seven-year-old brother in Lake Providence Monday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the two youngsters were together when the shooting occurred. They are still investigating how the older juvenile got a hold of a weapon…
Cut 6 (11) “old juvenile.”
The seven-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. Six children were at home at the time of the shooting while their mother was at work.

Residents of the small town of St. Joseph in Tensas parish are soaked with joy over a new water system that goes on-line today. Governor John Bel Edwards is in St. Joseph to cut the ribbon on the new facility that has been in need for decades.
Cut 3 (11) “something about.”
That’s the governor’s communications director, Shauna Sanford.