The special session is at a tipping point after just three days. The first major piece of tax reform legislation, aimed at plugging a portion of the billion dollar fiscal cliff, has stalled in the House Ways and Means committee. Lake Charles Republican Representative Stephen Dwight says this failure could doom the special session.

Cut 12 (07) “is over.”

The bill would renew a quarter of the expiring penny sales tax, and remove some of the special sales tax exemptions for certain industries and generate an estimated 300-million-dollars a year.  Baton Rouge Democratic Representative Ted James rejects the idea that this is the only fix to the fiscal cliff that would gut popular programs like TOPS.  He says Republicans won’t allow other solutions to be entertained.

Cut 13 (10) “I’m not”

The State Department of Education is launching the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign.  It’s an effort to convince high school and college students to make a career in the teaching profession.  But Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert says it’s a challenge to bring in new teachers to Louisiana due to lower teacher pay.   She’s urging teachers to speak openly with lawmakers and education officials and it starts with this campaign…

Cut 5  (11)  “gonna be.”

Police are reporting copycat type incidents throughout Louisiana since the mass school shooting in Florida.  LSU Pediatric psychologist Joy Osofsky (Oh-saf-ski) says there is a danger that kids are becoming star stuck by these killers, relishing that they are in control…

Cut 8 (10) “be identified.”

The latest threat was made against Northwood High School in Blanchard in Caddo Parish…

The special session is at a standstill after the House Ways and Means committee failed to approve any tax reform measures today. Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight brought a bill up for vote to make permanent a quarter of a one-cent sales tax that is set to expire….
cut 14 (09) “….of it”
Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey voiced his opposition…
cut 15 (12) “…two years”
No word on when the House Ways and Means commmitte will meet again. The special session must wrap up its work two weeks from today.

On his monthly call-in radio show, Governor Edwards said he remains optimistic a solution to the fiscal cliff can be reached, but compromise is hard.

The State Department of Education has launched the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign. Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert says the 100-thousand-dollar campaign is an effort to convince high school and college students to make a career in the teaching profession.
Cut 3 (07) “look like”
The campaign will use TV, radio, billboards and web advertising in an effort to reach Generation Z.

Next week it’s the girls state high school basketball championships in Alexandria and the week after it will be the boys turn in Lake Charles. But the LHSAA is having trouble having enough basketball referrees during the season. Assistant Executive Director Keith Alexander says unfortuantely rowdy fans can prevent some from wanting to be a ref. He says the LHSAA has had to take some extreme measures before…
cut 10 (08) “…empty stadium”

The special session is at a tipping point after a first attempt at tax reform failed in the House Ways and Means committee. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”.

Louisiana schools have been responding to social media threats as mainly teen aged boys are mimicking what they saw last week in Florida. LSU Health New Orleans professor Joy Osofsky says it’s important for parents to talk with their children during these difficult times…
cut 7 (05) “…what happened”

The State Department of Education has launched a campaign called “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher”. Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert says it’s an effort to get high school students and those in the first couple of years in college interested in becoming a teacher. Eckert says the campaign will attempt to attract Generation Z through television, radio and billboard ads…
Cut 4 (09) “anything else.”
You can find more information at Be-A Teacher-L-A-dot-com.

And the L-H-S-A-A has a need for more basketball referees and officials for spring sports…..
cut 11 (10) “…active official”
That’s Keith Alexander, who is an assistant executive director for the LHSAA. He says you can find more information at their website.

One other note…Saints-Pelicans Owner Tom Benson has been hospitalized because of the flu. He is said to be resting comfortably.

The special session is at a tipping point after just three days. The first major piece of tax reform legislation, aimed at plugging a portion of the billion dollar fiscal cliff, has stalled in the House Ways and Means committee. Lake Charles Republican Representative Stephen Dwight says this failure could doom the special session.

Cut 12, 7 seconds, is over

The bill would renew a quarter of the expiring penny sales tax, and remove some of the special sales tax exemptions enjoyed by certain industries. The bill would generate an estimated 300 million a year.

Baton Rouge Democratic Representative Ted James rejects the idea that this is the only fix to the cliff, he says Republicans won’t entertain other options

Cut 13, 10 seconds, I’m not

Law enforcement and schools systems statewide have seen an increase in online threats in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at a high school in Florida. Jim Shannon has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

A large part of the state is under a tornado watch until 5 PM. The watch box covers southwest, central and northeast Louisiana.

And the wife of the French Settlement police chief was arrested for allegedly driving drunk Saturday night after officers initially noticed suspicious behavior coming from her vechicle outside of the police station.

The State Department of Education has launched the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign.  Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert says it’s a challenge to bring in new teachers to Louisiana, since nearby states pay an average of 17-hundred-dollars more.  She hopes this campaign will urge teachers to speak openly with lawmakers and education officials to help attract new educators…

Cut 5  (11)  “gonna be.”

Across Louisiana, students, teen aged boys mainly, have been arrested for terrorizing school mates in the wake of the mass shooting in south Florida. Police are reporting incidents all over the state. LSU Pediatric psychologist Joy Osofsky (Oh-saf-ski) says it’s her belief that kids are simply mimicking what they see.

Cut 6  (12)  “are scared”

While many high school students are ready and able to participate in sports, there isn’t enough referees to officiate those games.  LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Keith Alexander says some sports have plenty of refs, while it’s harder to find officials who will work basketball games.  He believes the crowds, especially if they get unruly, make a difference.

Cut 9 (10) “the court.”

Owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Tom Benson is in the hospital.  The 90- year old has flu like symptoms and is in ICU, but is resting comfortably.

the House Ways and Means Committee is voting today on a series of bills that would make changes to the state’s tax code as part of the effort to plug the billion dollar budget shortfall. No agreement has been reached on a detailed proposal to solve the fiscal cliff so far. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says there’s been too much posturing and not enough policy.

Cut 10 (11) “the middle.”

A bill to create a transparency tool called Louisiana Checkbook passed the House Appropriations committee, and may be considered on the house floor later this week. The program closely mirrors Ohiocheckbook.com, where Ohio residents are presented a detailed report about state expenses.

But Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says says the cost of the program has yet to be revealed.

Cut 16 (08) “as well.”

Automotive insurance rates are on the rise again, after the Louisiana Department of Insurance approved double-digit hikes last year for at least six insurance companies.  State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there are several factors, including an increase in distracted driving…

Cut 11 (13) “in 2015.”

Donelon advises motorists to shop around if they think their rates are too high…

The State Department of Education is launching the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign.  Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert announced the campaign to get young people interested in teaching.

Eckert says DOE will attempt to attract Generation Z about the prestige of the teaching career through television, radio and billboard ads and their website…

Cut 4  (09) “anything else.” 

The House Ways and Means committee convenes today where they are expected to vote on bills that would raise revenue either by increasing income taxes on higher wage earners, keeping the state sales tax above four-cents or eliminating sales tax breaks for certain businesses. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey doesn’t like that last idea…
cut 28 (08) “…other states”

The House Appropriations Committee approved legislation that creates a new website so the public can track how the state spends its money. House Speaker Taylor Barras says the Louisiana Checkbook would provide detailed information on individual state agencies’ budgets…
cut 15 (07) “….that system”
The measure heads to the House floor for further discussion.

A large part of the state is under a tornado watch until 5 PM. The watch box covers southwest, central and northeast Louisiana.

Auto rates conintues to rise as the state has approved double-digit hikes for at least six insurance companies, including State Farm. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says rates go up faster in Louisiana, because the state’s legal climate leads to litigation a lot of times following accidents…
cut 12 (04) “….over accidents”
Donelon says Louisiana also has a lot of uninsured motorists and stolen vehicles.

The State Department of Education is launching the “Be Irreplaceable. Be a Teacher” campaign. Teacher of the Year Kim Eckert announced the 100-thousand-dollar campaign which is an effort to convince high school and college students to make a career in the teaching profession.
Cut 3 (07) “look like”
DOE will be looking to push the effort at attracting Generation Z of the advantages of teaching through television, radio and billboard ads and their website.

Tremont Waters scored 28 points last night as the LSU Tigers defeated Vanderbilt 88-78. Waters also had nine assists and set the school freshman record for assists in a season.

A transparency bill passed through the House Appropriations Committee, and may be considered on the House floor later this week. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 3 (28) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Flash flood issues are creating problems through out North West Louisiana.  Forecaster Brandi Hughes, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport warns some low water bridges and roadways could become flooded.  Hughes says if you see water covering the roadway, stay away…

Cut 6 (06)  “risk it.”

Temperatures are expected to remain mild through the period.

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Automotive insurance rates are on the rise again, after the Louisiana Department of Insurance approved double-digit hikes last year for at least six insurance companies.  State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says

rates go up faster in Louisiana because the state’s legal climate leads to litigation a lot of times following accidents…

Donelon says State Farm Insurance accounts for 30 percent of Louisiana insured drivers are paying on average ten-percent starting this month. He advises motorists to shop around if they think their rates are too high…

Cut 13 (10)  “large numbers.”

The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to vote today on a series of bills that would make changes to the state’s tax code as part of the effort to plug the billion dollar budget shortfall. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says the current system, which provides tax breaks for businesses in certain industries, is unfair.

Cut 7 (09)  “no one”

But Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey says he’s concerned that the current push to fix the fiscal cliff by taxing business will hurt the state’s economy. He says it could result in jobs heading out of state.