State leaders are locked in combat over the Governor’s decision to mail a cancellation warning to 37,000 Medicaid recipients. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”

In House floor action, the lower chamber overhwhelmingly approved a 15 week abortion ban. The legislation is similiar to a Mississippi law that’s currently blocked by a federal judge. The House also agreed with the Senate that students should be allowed to bring a bulletproof backpack into a school.

It was called the “Hail Mary” bill when Senator J.P. Morrell filed it in March, but unanimous jury verdicts are a public vote from becoming reality in Louisiana. The mood shifted rapidly once the legislation was taken up, gathering major support from liberal groups, and neutral opinions from D-As. Louisiana is just one of two states that do not require unanimous verdicts.
Cut 4 (12) “bill of rights”
Voters will get to decide in November.

One of Angola’s most restrictive housing units, Camp J, has been closed due to the facilities crumbling infrastructure. The cells at Camp J were used to house inmates in solitary for 23 hours a day. Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc says the camp was no longer safe for use.
Cut 10 (06) “place open”
Camp J housed 400 inmates at its peak.

The Edwards administration and GOP legislators continue to exchange barbs over the decision to mail benefit cancellation warnings to 37,000 Medicaid patients. Lafayette Representative, Republican Nancy Landry, blamed the Medicaid budget cuts on John Bel Edwards.
Cut 6 (12) “nursing homes”
But the Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne pushed back, arguing that the feds require Medicaid recipients to be informed of program cancellations ahead of time. Dardenne says Republican House legislators approved a budget that called for deep cuts in funding for health care services…
Cut 9 (11) “get out”
A special session is set to begin next Tuesday so lawmakers can pass revenue measures to avoid deep budget cuts.

Camp J, which is where Angola housed inmates in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day, has been closed and the prisoners have been moved to other facilities. Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc says the decision is in part due to new standards that were adopted while working with criminal justice reform organiziations….
cut 12 (09) “…reputation”

Louisiana is known for its hot summers, but we are already seeing temperatures in the mid 90s in mid-May. Michael Hill, with the National Weather Service in New Orleans on why it’s been so hot this week…
cut 15 (08) “….been hot”
Hill says temperatures should be a little cooler tomorrow as the chance for rain increases. Northwest Louisiana is under a marginal risk for severe weather.

To convince the legislature to pass a bill that requires unanimous jury verdicts was considered a long shot in March. Now as Jim Shannon reports the measure is one vote away from becoming law.
Voicer 1 (30) “I’m Jim Shannon”

The Senate approved a 28-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year that Governor John Bel Edwards has no plans of endorsing, because it reduces money for public colleges, eliminates the food stamp program, allocates fewer dollars for child welfare and TOPS.

The Louisiana Department of Corrections has shut down Camp J at Angola. That’s where the state used to house inmates in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. D-O-C Secretary James LeBlanc says Camp J’s infrastructure was crumbling, so the prisoners had to be moved…
cut 11 (12) “…housing areas”

Another record high was set in New Orleans today as the temperature hit 93-degrees at Louis Armstrong International Airport, breaking the previous record set in 1995. National Weather Service forecaster Michael Hill…
cut 14 (12) “…warm temperatures”
There is a marginal risk for severe weather tomorrow afternoon and night for northwest Louisiana.

Unanimous jury verdicts in criminal cases are a public vote away from becoming law in Louisiana. At first liberal advocacy groups like the ACLU and Southern Poverty Law Center were all for it. Then other groups like Louisiana Family Forum joined and the District Attorneys took a neutral stand. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell says that’s when things began to change.
Cut 3 (08) “tremendous momentum”
It passed the House yesterday on a 82-15 vote and will appear on the ballot this November, where a majority of voters will have to approve before it becomes law.

If you think it’s a little to hot for the middle of May, you are right. Records high temperatures were broken yesterday and more could go down today….
cut 13 (06) “…ninety-six”
That’s Michael Hill with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, who says we’ll see some cooler temperatures tomorrow as rain chances increase.

House Republican lawmakers are criticizing the Edwards administration for sending out letters to Medicaid recipients, warning them they could lose their benefits after July 1st because of a lack of state dollars for health care funding. Lafayette Representative Nancy Landry says the letters were completely unwarranted as the budget process is not yet finished…
cut 7 (09) “….day weekend”
Some 20-thousand nursing home residents received this letter. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne pushed back, arguing that the feds require Medicaid recipients to be informed of program cancellations ahead of time, so that they can try to find other programs to qualify for.
cut 8 (10) “for medicaid”
The Edwards administration is optimistic revenue measures will be approved in a special session set to begin next Tuesday that will provide the state with adequate funding.

Voters will get a chance in November to decide if criminal cases should be decided by a unanimous jury. The current standard only calls for 10 of 12 jurors to agree on a guilty verdict. New Orleans Senator JP Morrell’s proposed constitutional amendment received final passage today and he’s hopeful a majority of voters will see the current standard is not high enough
cut 5 (11) “…just ignore”
The issue will appear on the November ballot.

One of Angola’s most restrictive housing units, Camp J, has been closed due to the facilities crumbling infrastructure. The cells at Camp J were used to house inmates in solitary for 23 hours a day. Department of Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc says the camp was no longer safe for use.
Cut 10 (06) “place open”
Camp J housed 400 inmates at its peak.

State leaders are locked in combat over the Governor’s decision to mail a cancellation warning to 37,000 Medicaid recipients. Jeff Palermo has more.
Cut 2 (30) I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Governor’s administration and GOP legislators continue to exchange barbs over the decision to mail program cancellation warnings to 37,000 Medicaid patients. Lafayette Representative, Republican Nancy Landry, blamed the Medicaid budget cuts on John Bel Edwards.

Cut 6 (12)  “nursing homes”

But the Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne pushed back, arguing that the feds require Medicaid recipients to be informed of program cancellations ahead of time. Dardenne says with a real threat from House lawmakers to cut these programs, it would have been wrong to wait any longer.

Cut 9 (11) “get out”

A special session that could replace the expiring revenue at the heart of these budget cuts is set to be called next Tuesday.

It was called the “Hail Mary” bill when Senator J.P. Morrell filed it back in March, but unanimous jury verdicts are a vote of the people away from becoming reality in Louisiana. The mood shifted rapidly once the legislation was taken up, gathering major support from liberal groups, and neutral opinions from Das. Louisiana is just one of two states that do not require unanimous verdicts.

Cut 4 (12)      “bill of rights”

Louisiana’s deadline for filing your state taxes is today. Those who do not file in time will be subject to a 5% of tax due penalty for each 30 days of delinquence. Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says if you need more time to file, the department has an option for you.

Cut 23  (10) “late penalties” 

Governor John Bel Edwards has put out the call for a special session that would begin May 22nd, and end June 4th. During the special session, revenue could be raised that would potentially plug the 648 million dollar budget shortfall resulting from expiring sales taxes. The February special session fell apart just days into the process, but Edwards is optimistic that the second time is the charm.
Cut 10 (10) “catastrophic”
Governor Edwards is in Alexandria at this hour. He’s touring the Cabrini Clinic and the Rapides Clinic, before speaking to the Alexandria Rotary Club. At the Rotary Club he’ll discuss his efforts to fund health care services, including partner hospitals.

With a special session beginning next Tuesday, legislators only have a few more days to finish their work in the regular session. Numerous bills will receive final passage this week. One of them is the measure that toughens the law against bestiality.
Another Senate committee will take a look today at proposed legislation that would allow Harrah’s to continue to operate its land-based casino in New Orleans for another 30 years. It passed on a 4-3 vote in Judiciary B yesterday, despite strong opposition….
cut 27 (12) “….twenty five”
The Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs committee will review the legislation this afternoon.

Final legislative passage has been given to a constitutional amendment that would require a unanimous jury verdict in most felony cases. Albany Representative Sherwin Mack led the discussion on the House floor and had this simple appeal to his colleagues…
cut 15 (05) “…right thing”
The amendment needs voter approval and it will appear on the November ballot.

Governor John Bel Edwards has put out the call for a special session that would begin May 22^nd, and end June 4^th. During the special session, revenue could be raised that would potentially plug the 648 million dollar state budget shortfall resulting from expiring sales taxes.

Edwards is hoping the legislature adopts his revenue plan that would keep a portion of an expiring penny sales tax, while eliminating sales tax exemptions for certain industries.

Cut 12 (08) “million dollars”

The House erupted into applause as a constitutional amendment requiring unanimous juries for criminal convictions passed on an 82 to 15 vote. Louisiana is currently one of two states that does not require a unanimous jury verdict. Albany Representative Sherman Mack called on an often divided chamber to come together on a bill that he says is supported by many legal experts.

Cut 14 (06) “caught up”

A Senate committee approves legislation that extends the state contract’s with Harrah’s New Orleans Casino for at least another 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

 In conjunction with National Police Week, the Louisiana State Police will honor and remember the men and women of law enforcement who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and will also recognize those who have gone beyond the call of duty at the annual State Police Memorial and Awards Ceremonies.

On Thursday, May 17^th at 10:00 a.m., the annual Louisiana State Police Memorial Ceremony will be held at the LSP Memorial in front of State Police Headquarters located at 7919 Independence Blvd. in Baton Rouge.