The third special session of 2018 ended last night with the legislature approving a sales tax bill that prevents deep cuts to state services. The state sales tax rate was set to drop to 4-percent on Saturday, but the Senate gave final legislative approval to a sales tax rate at 4.45 percent, which will generate 446-million dollars. The measure passed 33-6, with fiscal conservatives like Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt voting against it…
cut 11 (12) “…current year”
But New Orleans Senator JP Morrell argued the legislature had two years to find a better way forward, but failed to do so….
cut 13 (11) “…reform bills”

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will host a fundraiser for Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory in Lafayette tonight. Guillory is seeking to unseat fellow GOP incumbent Clay Higgins. Giuliani is currently President Trump’s lawyer, and the president has endorsed Higgins. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Giuliani should have thought twice before participating in this fundraiser…
cut 5 (08) “….in Acadiana”
Giuliani is reportedly dating Guillory’s campaign finance director.

Northwestern State graduate Holli Conway is Miss Louisiana 2018. Conway beat out 32 other contestants during the weekend long pageant in her hometown of Monroe. She’ll compete for Miss America in September.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani continues his support of Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory today in Lafayette. Michael Farrar has the story.

Cut 1 (29)  I’m Michael Farrar.“

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A group of US Senators is heading to Russia this week, including Senator John Kennedy.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

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A final budget is in that fully funds higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS, while instituting a 4.45 percent sales tax. Matt Doyle has the story.

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President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani is in Lafayette today to host a fundraiser for Republican Congressional candidate Josh Guillory, who is seeking to unseat GOP Representative Clay Higgins this fall. Meanwhile, President Trump endorsed Higgins. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a bizarre circumstance…

Cut 4  (07) “…anything like this.”

Giuliani is likely supporting Guillory, because his girlfriend, Jennifer LeBlanc, is the campaign finance chair for Guillory’s campaign. But Pinsonat says Giuliani should have thought twice before participating in this fundraiser…

Cut 5  (08)  “…in Acadiana.”

Pinsonat says President Trump’s endorsement of Higgins will lead to more votes for the incumbent Congressman than Giuliani’s fundraising efforts for Guillory…

Cut 6 (13) “…called weird.”

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A group of Republican US Senators will head to Russia this week, including Louisiana’s John Kennedy.  Kennedy says he wants to establish some rapport with high-ranking government officials and he hopes one of those meetings will include Russian President Valdimir Putin.

Cut 7 (10)  “…Russian economy.”

Kennedy says he’s heard the Russian economy is in shambles, because they are spending their money on Syria and weaponry. The senator says this will be a trip of diplomacy, as he plans to discuss interests shared by both nations.

Cut 8 (06)  “…our common problems.”

Kennedy says he also intends to discuss the allegations of election interference in the US and other countries through the use of social media, a claim he says Russian denies.

Cut 9 (12)  “…stop it.”

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A budget deal is on its way to the governor’s desk that fully funds higher ed, healthcare, and TOPS, and sets the state’s sales tax to 4.45 percent. The bill raises 466 million dollars and is set to expire in 2025. Mandeville Senator and Republican Jack Donahue, the bill’s cosponsor, says it’s the compromise the legislature needed to get a deal out the door.

Cut 10 (11)   “this state.”

The budget uses 46 million dollars in one time BP money, removes some tax exemptions, expands the Earned Income Tax Credit, and includes cuts to the Department of Corrections.

The final vote in the Senate was 33 to 6, with dissension from fiscal conservatives who’ve opposed renewing any of the billion dollars in taxes that were set to expire at the end of the month, that previously threatened to wreck many state services. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the legislature and governor did not do enough to keep the budget in check.

Cut 11 (12) “current year.”

The Northshore Republican says Louisiana need more budget cuts, not taxes. She blamed Governor John Bel Edwards resistance to budget transparency bills, and his decision to expand the Medicaid program for the last two years of fiscal uncertainty.

Cut 12 (11) “priorities”

The compromise legislation has been criticized for failing to achieve permanent structural tax reform, and relying on sales taxes that many legislators say hit the working class hardest. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says the legislature had two years to find a better way forward and failed to do so.

Cut 13 (11)  “reform bills.” 

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Governor John Bel Edwards celebrated the passage of the budget bill at the end of a grueling start to the year that saw four total sessions needed to solve the state’s impending fiscal cliff that’s been at the center of state politics since short term taxes were passed two years ago. Edwards congratulated lawmakers on keeping healthcare and education off the chopping block.

They’ve been trying since February, but yesterday the House finally approved a sales tax plan that prevents deep budget cuts in state government. The measure approved by the House will set Louisiana’s sales tax rate at 4.45 percent until July 2025 and that would supply enough revenue to fully fund higher education and the TOPS scholarship program. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis had this message for her colleagues before the critical vote….
cut 14 (12) “…constituents”
The measure needed 70 votes and it got 74. It now needs Senate approval. Governor John Bel Edwards says the special session could end on Sunday…
cut 20 (12) “…the House”

A Slidell couple is in jail facing multiple charges for drugs and dog fighting following an investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There’s a marginal risk of severe weather north of I-20 today. There are strong storm systems racing across Oklahoma and Arkansas and there’s a potential a line of storms can sweep across the northern part of the state. Other than the chance of rain, it will be a hot weekend as high temperatures will be in the upper 90s for north Louisiana and mid 90s for cen LA, low 90s for south Louisiana.

The special session could come to an end Sunday as the full House finally agreed yesterday to a sales tax plan that would prevent cuts to higher education, TOPS and the food stamp program. The measure passed on a 74-24 vote. The proposal heading to the Senate would set the sales tax rate at 4.45 percent until July of 2025. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis congratulated the House for coming together
cut 15 (11) ”….their services”
Some public safety programs will see reductions since this sales tax renewal doesn’t cover the entire deficit.

Two Senate committees are meeting at this hour to go over this sales tax plan. Senate President John Alario anticipates the entire Senate going along with the House’s proposal and a vote is expected tomorrow.

Two teenagers are now facing negligent homicide charges for their role in the death of 18-year-old Delicia Ceasor of Jonesville. Ceasor died in a car crash in Catahoula Parish on March 22nd. State Police Troopers have determined a 17-year-old driver and another driver, 19-year-old Victor Barber were drag racing and traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour when the crash happened.

US Senator John Kennedy says he’s attached an amendment to an appropriations bill that will end the practice of federal employees flying first class on the taxpayers dime, unless there’s a legitimate medical or security reason…
cut 11 (12) “…priviledge”
In a report released last March, EPA Secretary Scott Pruitt allegedly spent 105-thousand dollars on first class flights in his first year on the job.

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Michael Farrar….
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After a tough week of behind the scenes negotiations, the Louisiana House finally mustered the 70 votes needed to approve a sales tax plan that would allow the state to fully fund TOPS, higher education and reduce the cuts to the department of corrections.

The House agreed to renew .45 percent of an expiring one-cent sales tax. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s budget situation is on a more solid foundation…
cut 30 (18) “…our problem”
The Senate is expected is expected to agree to this sales tax plan and the special session could end Sunday night.

US Senator John Kennedy has attached an amendment to an appropriations bill to keep taxpayer money from going towards first-class airline tickets for federal employees. Kennedy says there’s only two reasons why a federal worker should need a first-class ticket….
cut 9 (10) “…abused”
In a report released last March, EPA Secretary Scott Pruitt allegedly spent 105-thousand dollars on first class flights in his first year on the job.

A Shreveport police Corporal Marcus Hines is on administrative leave after he accidentally fired his department-issued gun while teach two summer interns about gun safety. No one was injured in the incident.

And a Hammond Police officer suffered a gunshot wound to the foot while attempting to load his shotgun into his patrol car. Police Chief James Stewart says the officer dropped the weapon and it went off.

The state House has finally reached a compromise on a sales bill that will fully fund higher education and TOPS next fiscal year. The food stamp progam is no longer on the chopping block as well. The measure that was approved by the house on Friday afternoon will set the state’s sales tax rate at 4.45 percent from July 1st until mid-2025. Democrats pushed for a sales tax rate at 4.5 percent, while many Republicans were seeking 4.4-percent. Governor John Bel Edwards is thrilled the two sides were able to come together…
cut 30 (19) “…foremost”
The tax deal now needs Senate approval. Edwards he expects the upper chamber will approve the House compromise and it’s possible the special session could end Sunday night.

A group called Emerge Louisiana says they have successfully trained 22 women on how to run for political office and they will graduate on Saturday…
Voicer 5 (29) I’m Becca Dill.“

Senator John Kennedy says he’s attached an amendment to an appropriations bill that will end the practice of federal employees flying first class on the taxpayers dime, unless there’s a legitimate medical or security reason…
cut 11 (12) “…priviledge”

A four star quarterback from Alabama announced on Twitter he plans on attending LSU. Peter Parrish’s verbal pledge gives the Tigers 14 commitments for their 2019 class. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Parrish can run a speedy 4.5 in the 40 and scouts say he’s improving as a passer
cut 12 (09) “…offered him.”
Parrish’s verbal pledge follows up the commitment on Wednesday from one of the top cornerbacks in the country, Derek Stingley Junior.

The Saints will open the season by hosting division rival Tampa Bay, but quarterback Jameis Winston may not be on the field. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reprots the NFL is planning on suspending Winston for the first three games of the 2018 season, because of an incident involving an Uber driver in Arizona in 2016.

The Pelicans used their lone draft pick last night to take Penn State Guard Tony Carr, with the 51st overall selection. As a sophomore, Carr averaged nearly 20 points a game and dished out five assists a contest. He’s six-foot five and the Pelicans hope he’s a player that can eventually use his size to get to the rim. Last year he shot 40-percent from the field.

Now the Pelicans turn their attention to free-agency and General Manager Dell Demps says the goal remains for the team to re-sign unrestricted free agents DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo….
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The free agency period begins July 1st.

Former Lousiaina Tech shooting guard Jacobi Boykins will play for the Orlando Magic’s summer league team, which begins play July 6th in Las Vegas.

After a grueling week of behind the scenes negotiations, the full House finally agreed to a sales tax plan that would prevent cuts to higher education, TOPS and the food stamp program. The measure needed 70 votes to pass…
cut 16 (07) “…applause”
The proposal heading to the Senate for its approval would set the sales tax rate at 4.45 percent from July 1st to mid 2025. Baton Rouge Representative Paul Davis congratulated the House for coming together
cut 15 (11) ”….their services”
Some public safety programs will see reductions since this sales tax renewal doesn’t cover the entire deficit.

A Slidell couple is in jail facing multiple charges for drugs and dog fighting following an investigation by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office….
Cut 2 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There is more good news for LSU on the football recruiting front, as the Tigers received a verbal commitment from four-star quarterback Peter Parrish. He is ranked as the 11th best dual-threat QB in the 2019 recruiting class. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran say LSU is building depth at a critical position…
cut 13 (12) “…the position”

After a week of difficult negotitions the House has approved legislation that sets Louisiana’s sales tax rate at 4.45 percent after July 1st and that would supply enough revenue to prevent cuts to higher education and the TOPS scholarship program. Baton Rouge Representative Paula Davis had this message for her colleagues before the critical vote….
cut 14 (12) “…constituents”
The measure needed 70 votes and it got 74.

It now heads to the Senate. Leaders in the upper chamber have a back-up plan in case this sales tax proposal doesn’t make it through the process. They’ve introduced legislation to keep the sales tax rate at 5-percent for up to the next 14 months. Senate President John Alario….
cut 5 (10) “…solution at all”
But for now the Senate will first consider the sales tax bill passed by the House.

US Senator John Kennedy has attached legislation to an appropriations bill that prohibits federal employees from purchasing first class airplane tickets with taxpayer money. Kennedy says in a recent three-year period an extra one-million dollars in taxpayer money went to unnecessary first class tickets…
cut 10 (05) “…will do”
Kennedy believes the amendment will make it to the President’s desk.

A four star quarterback from Alabama announced on Twitter he plans on attending LSU. Peter Parrish’s verbal commitment gives the Tigers 14 commitments for their 2019 class. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Parrish can run a speedy 4.5 in the 40 and scouts say he’s improving as a passer
cut 12 (09) “…offered him.”
Parrish’s verbal pledge follows up the commitment on Wednesday from one of the top cornerbacks in the country, Derek Stingley Junior.