The House advances bills that seek to reduce the big payouts car accident victims get after filing a lawsuit. Among them is Baton Rouge Republican Emily Chenevert’s (SHEN-UH-VAIR) bill, which says if a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for a wreck, they are not entitled to damages.

Cut 13 (12)  “…cover that.”

Louisiana is once again participating in the federal SUN Bucks program. The program provides eligible children between the ages of five and 18 120 dollars to use on food during the summer months when they’re out of school. Tim Jenkins, the economic stability director for the Department of Children and Family Services, says for those already receiving SNAP benefits, there’s nothing that they need to do.

Cut 9 (09)  “…household SNAP card.”

The House Transportation Committee votes down a measure that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The bill’s author, Stonewall Republican Larry Bagley argued that the requirement to get your vehicle inspected is government overreach.

Cut 4 (12) “…keep up with them.”

Critics argue inspections are often not properly conducted, while supporters, including inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Inspection station owner Kathy Slavant defended the integrity of the inspections.

Cut 7 (11) “…in what we do.”

The vote to defeat the bill was 6-to-5. Bagley says he’ll attempt to bring the bill back for another vote.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that says if a person is 51-percent or more at fault in an accident that person can not receive damages to cover the cost of their injuries. Baton Rouge Representative Emily Chenevert says it’s one of several tort reform bills that can help drive down auto insurance rates…

Cut 27 (05) “…lower rates”

Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The requirement for Louisiana motorists to get an inspection sticker every year or two looks like it will continue after the House Transportation Committee voted down a proposal to eliminate the program for non-commercial vehicles. Leading the effort is Stonewall  Representative Larry Bagley…

Cut 5 (04) “….has the stickers”

But Neal Underwood, who represents the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Station Inspection owners, says crashes and fatalities have increased in states that eliminated inspection sticker programs…

Cut 16 (12) “…67-percent”

The bill failed on a six to five vote, but Bagley says he’ll attempt to bring the bill back for another vote.

A vote could go down on the House floor on a bill to give Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple more authority to block excessive insurance rate increases. A vote was expected yesterday, but it was pushed back a day.

Lengthy discussion on the House floor on Monday over legislation that seeks to reduce the damages awarded in court to a car accident victim. Several bills that seek to accomplish this were approved, including House Bill 34 by state Representative Brian Glorioso. The Slidell Republican believes medical costs should be admissible in court, so the judge and jury know exactly how much a person injured in a wreck paid in medical costs…

Cut 20 (07) “….can’t consider it”

The measure passed on a 68 to 26 vote. Democrats are not convinced that lower settlements will reduce car insurance rates.

With very little debate, the Louisiana House approved a bill that bans balloon releases in an effort to protect the environment….

Cut 16 (04) 14 nays”

For anyone over 16, penalties under the proposed legislation, the fine would be 150 dollars for a first offense. The measure heads to the Senate.

We’ve known for a long time that Louisiana’s energy industry is a major part of the state’s economy. A new study released finds the state’s energy industry generates 25-percent of the state’s economy, 15-percent of state employment and 19-percent of total earnings…

Cut 9 (10) “…of the state”

That’s Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association President Tommy Fahucheux. Mid-Continent paid for the study to get a pulse on the true value of the state’s energy sector.

Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming is reminding the public to check out new K-through-12 school transparency project which gives the public a chance to see how public schools are spending their money…

Cut 13 (08) “…and abuse”

The portal can be found at the Department of Treasury’s website.

Oil and gas has long been a major driver in the state’s economy, and now we know exactly to what extent. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

Australian-based Woodside Energy will reportedly announce today a 17-point-5 billion dollar investment on a new liquified natural gas production and export facility in Calcasieu Parish. It’s the largest foreign investment in state history and an official announcement is expected at 11:30 this morning.

An effort to eliminate the state’s passenger vehicle inspection program as run into a road block at the state capitol. The House Transportation Committee voted six to five against a bill that seeks to end the requirement that Louisiana non-commercial drivers need an inspection sticker for their vehicle to be street legal. Kathy Slavant’s family has owned an inspection station for 25 years, defending the integrity of the inspections…

Cut 7 (11) “…in what we do”

The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley, plans to bring the bill back up for another vote.

Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. The House passed HB581 by Harahan Republican John Illg, sending it to the Senate. Illg says balloon releases are tantamount to litter.

Cut 14 (12) “…the air here?”

Ceremonial balloon releases often occur in honor of a lost loved one.

The House Transportation Committee voted 6-5 against a measure that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley argues that the requirement to get your vehicle inspected is government overreach.

Cut 4 (12) “…keep up with them.”

However inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Neal Underwood, represents inspection station owners, and he warned that removing the requirement could lead to increased accidents and even higher insurance rates.

Cut 6 (08) “…insurance rate as well.”

Again the bill failed on a six to five vote.

The Louisiana House has approved several bills that seek to reduce the big payouts car accident victims receive after filing a lawsuit. One of those measures to receive approval was Baton Rouge Representative Emily Chenevert’s bill that says if a driver is 51-percent or more at fault for a wreck then they are not entitled to damages. She says states with much lower insurance rates than Louisiana have this law…

Cut 21 (12) “…damages”

A study finds that the energy industry generates 25-percent of Louisiana’s economy and is 15-percent of the state’s total employment. The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association paid for the study and President Tommy Faucheux says as technology evolves, there will be an opportunity to build on these strong numbers…

Cut 10 (12) “…talk about today”

The Louisiana House approved several bills on Monday that seek to stop the rise in insurance rates by reducing the chance that motorists involved in car crashes could receive big payouts after filing a lawsuit. One of the bills to pass would allow medical costs to be admissible in court, which is not allowed right now.

An effort to eliminate the inspection sticker program fails in the House Transportation committee. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

A new study shows that the oil and gas industry is a major driver of Louisiana’s economy. The study by the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says the oil and gas industry generates 25-percent of the state’s economy. Mid-Continent President Tommy Faucheux (foah-SHAY) says it proves how big a player the industry is in the state….

Cut 8 (14) “…energy industry”

Faucheux says the energy industry is responsible for 305-thousand jobs, which is 15-percent of the state’s total employment.

At the state treasurer’s website, you’ll see a link for the Louisiana K-through-12 school transparency project. It provides information on how schools are spending their money. Treasurer John Fleming is questioning a two-thousand-dollar expenditure to Act Blue by the Orleans Parish School Board…

Cut 11 (08) “…something like that”

The Orleans Parish School Board did not respond to our request for comment.

A bill that would have eliminated the need for motorists to get a vehicle inspection stickers failed in a 6-5 vote in the House Transportation Committee. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

_____________________________________________

Oil and gas has long been a major driver in the state’s economy, and now we know exactly to what extent. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

____________________________________________

Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

______________________________________________________

The House Transportation Committee voted 6-5 against a measure that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The bill’s author, Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley argues that the requirement to get your vehicle inspected is government overreach.

Cut 4 (12) “…keep up with them.”

Currently, vehicle owners must pay ten dollars for a one-year inspection sticker or 20 dollars for a two-year sticker. Bagley noted that 39 other states, including Texas this year, have ended similar programs.

Cut 5 (04) “…has the stickers.”

Critics argue inspections are often not properly conducted, while supporters, including inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Neal Underwood, representing inspection station owners, warned that removing the requirement could lead to increased accidents and higher insurance rates.

Cut 6 (08) “…insurance rate as well.”

Kathy Slavant, an inspection station operator, defended the integrity of the inspections.

Cut 7 (11) “…in what we do.”

______________________________________________________

A new study shows that the oil and gas industry is a major driver of Louisiana’s economy. The study by the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association says the oil and gas industry generates 25-percent of the state’s economy. LAMOGA President Tommy Faucheux (foah-SHAY) says it proves how big a player the industry is in the state.

Cut 8 (14) “…the energy industry.”

Faucheux says the oil and gas industry also generates 15-percent of the state’s jobs and 19-percent of the state’s total earnings.

Cut 9 (10)  “…of the state.”

Faucheux says as technology evolves, there will be a lot of opportunity to build on these strong numbers in the years to come.

Cut 10 (12) “…talk about today.”

______________________________________________________

State Treasurer John Fleming has some questions for Orleans Parish schools regarding questionable expenditures, thanks to a new law requiring schools to submit expenses to the K-12 school transparency website.  Fleming says two thousand dollars were given to Act Blue.

Cut 11 (08) “…something like that.”

Examination of the data revealed questionable expenditures, such as almost 250 thousand dollars on staff retreats, almost 170 thousand dollars on restaurants, and five thousand dollars for fireworks.  Fleming says all these expenses need to be accounted for and examined.

Cut 12 (05) “…it does now.”

Fleming praised the initiative, emphasizing that transparency promotes accountability, greater efficiency, better educational outcomes, and improved teacher pay by shedding light on how taxpayer money is used.

Cut 13 (08)  “…waste, fraud and abuse.”

________________________________________________________

Balloon releases in Louisiana are one step closer to being illegal. The House passed HB581 by Harahan Republican John Illg, sending it to the Senate. Illg says balloon releases are tantamount to litter.

Cut 14 (12) “…the air here?”

Representative Illg says what goes up must come down; and when those balloons released into the air come down, they could have serious consequences for the environment and wildlife.

Cut 15 (06) “…into the air.”

There was no debate on the House floor before members voted; and as Speaker Phillip DeVillier announced, the vote was not unanimous.

Cut 16 (04) “…14 nays.”

For anyone over 16, penalties under Illg’s proposed legislation would be 150 dollars for a first offense, 250 dollars for a second offense and 500 dollars for each subsequent offense. The measure heads to the Senate for more consideration.

________________________________________________________

The second-ranked LSU baseball team will host the top team from the Southland tonight. The Southeastern Louisiana Lions are at Alex Box Stadium. S-L-U is 33-11 overall, 18-6 in the Southland, and Coach Bobby Barbier’s team is coming off a series victory over Houston Christian…

Cut 17 (11)  “…season long.”

Southeastern Louisiana’s pitching staff ranks fourth in the Southland Conference with a team ERA of 3.28. Brennan Stuprich is their Friday night ace, with a team ERA of 2.06. But Barbier says they have several guys who are pitching well…

Cut 18 (23)  “…starting roles.”

Barbier says they are looking forward to playing the second-ranked Tigers…

Cut 19 (19) “…most of the year.”

The House Transportation Committee approves a bill that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld cell phone while driving. Slidell Representative Brian Glorioso says a person behind the wheel that is more focused on his phone than the road is a threat to other motorists.

Cut 11 (06) “…drunk driving”

Highway safety advocates say a ban on handheld cell phones while driving in Louisiana is really needed. But Alexandria defense attorney Ed Tarpley questions how the proposed law would be enforced, and he also believes it’s an overreach of government regulation…

Cut 14 (10) “…every day life.”

The Louisiana Legislature has rejected similar proposals to the past, but supporters of a ban on handling your cell phone while driving say the proposed legislation can help reduce auto insurance rates by reducing crashes.

The House Transportation committee votes against a bill that sought to eliminate the state’s vehicle inspection sticker program. The vote to turn the bill away was 6-to-5. It was sponsored by Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley.

Cut 4 (11) “…keep up with them.”

Critics argue inspections are often not properly conducted, while supporters, including inspection station owners, insist the program promotes road safety and maintains vehicle standards. Neal Underwood, representing inspection station owners, warned that removing the requirement could lead to increased accidents and higher insurance rates.

Cut 6 (08) “…insurance rate as well.”

Bagley noted that 39 other states, including Texas this year, have ended similar programs.