Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, the Pelican Institute released its Pelican Pulse poll highlighting voter sentiment on key issues facing the state. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
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The legislature will be considering a bill that would boost the tax on hemp products. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is speaking out after a jury rules that Chevron must pay Plaquemines Parish almost 745-million dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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The Pelican Institute for Public Policy released its latest Pelican Pulse Poll ahead of the upcoming 2025 Louisiana legislative session. The survey of over 800 Louisiana voters shows lawmakers a clear picture of what voters are prioritizing. Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says the poll shows voters believe government spending is out of control.
Cut 4 (07) “…limit its growth.”
Erspamer says a majority of voters favor giving families school choice…
Cut 5 (13) “…fully funded.”
Erspamer noted Insurance premiums take the number two spot for highest priority for voters in the state with lawsuit abuse being identified as a major factor for the high premiums.
Cut 6 (08) “…to make that fix.”
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When the legislature convenes in less than a week, among the bills they’ll be taking up are ones that would tax hemp products. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot is proposing raising the tax on hemp products from three-percent to 15-percent, while Monroe Representative Mike Echols is proposing raising it to 20-percent. Echols says there are multiple purposes behind his proposed hemp tax rate.
Cut 7 (11) “…an addiction disorder.”
Echols says the last legislative session made it clear that hemp is in Louisiana to stay, so he’d like to use the occasion to raise money for essential services, like drug treatment and prevention.
Cut 8 (10) “…alcohol or tobacco.”
Needless to say, retailers who sell hemp products are not happy with either bill. Joe Garrity, the CEO of Crescent Canna, says those bills only hurt the retailers who already face a great deal of red tape.
Cut 9 (08) “…know they enjoy.”
Garrity says his industry is among those in Louisiana that he says are unfairly targeted by lawmakers.
Cut 10 (15) “…is even better.”
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The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is speaking out after a jury awards Plaquemines Parish almost 745-million dollars from Chevron. The jury ruled that Chevron’s oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico has caused the Louisiana coastline to erode. Mike Moncla says the state gave Chevron the green light decades ago for oil exploration.
Cut 11 (10) “…ruin our coast.”
Moncla says Chevron and other oil companies were encouraged to conduct oil exploration off the coast for decades.
Cut 12 (16) “…begged to do.”
Moncla says the verdict is an industry-killer.
Cut 13 (09) “…for your company.”
Chevron is expected to appeal the jury verdict.
Phil Cossich, one of the attorneys that represented Plaquemines Parish, hailed the verdict. He says it’s been a long time coming and one that could be a great step in saving the coast.
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The Louisiana Department of Transportation is actively involved in litter removal with this week being Love the Boot Week. DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett says partnering with Keep Louisiana Beautiful, DOTD employees are participating in cleanup efforts statewide this week
Cut 14 (12) “…100 miles of roadway.”
Mallett says litter removal is a year-round commitment. In fiscal year 2024, DOTD allocated approximately 13.6-million dollars for these efforts, collecting the equivalent of over 18 Olympic swimming pools of litter.
Cut 15 (12) “…how much litter is out there”
Thanks to an additional three-million dollars from the state legislature, Mallett says DOTD hired contractors to target high-traffic areas, beginning in New Orleans before the Super Bowl and now extending to major interstates and eventually rural routes.
Cut 16 (13) “…across the state.”
DOTD urges residents to help keep Louisiana clean by disposing of trash responsibly and joining local cleanup initiatives.
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The 30-3 LSU Tigers are ranked as high as third in the college baseball polls. The Tigers are riding an eight-game winning streak after sweeping Oklahoma. The final game of the series was played in frigid conditions for baseball, but the Tigers held on for a 3-2 victory. Coach Jay Johnson says he was concerned his team’s mindset heading into the final game of the series, but he knew right away they were ready to play…
Cut 17 (16) “…fine today.”
LSU did not allow an earned run in the sweep over the Sooners. Pitching coach Nate Yeskie’s father passed away on Thursday, but he stayed with the team to call pitches. Johnson says LSU’s success on the mound shows why he’s one of the best pitching in the country…
Cut 18 (18) “…at LSU.”
LSU catcher Luis Hernandez is swinging a hot bat. In his last five games, he’s 10 of his last 20 and hit three doubles in the series against Oklahoma. Johnson says the transfer from Indiana State is a big part of their success…
Cut 19 (13) “..swinging the bat.”