The Louisiana Legislature finally passed a budget for next fiscal year. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur calls it a smart and reasonable spending plan that adequately funds the state’s biggest priorities.
cut 3 (08) “…neglected”
The Senate passed the budget on a 26-9 vote. Metairie Senator Conrad Appel also voted against it, because this budget plan does nothing to address the loss of over a billion dollars in temporary taxes next fiscal year.
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Doctor Jack Sava at Medstar Washington Hospital says Congressman Steve Scalise remains in critical condition, but his condition has improved over the last 36 hours. Sava says Scalise will need additional operations and a timetable on when he’ll be discharged has not been established.

Higher education leaders are very pleased with the budget approved by legislators. UL System President, Doctor Jim Henderson says it’s the first time in nearly a decade the state is not reducing funding for public colleges….
cut 12 (12) “…students deservie”
But he says Louisiana remains the lowest funded higher education system among southern states.

Louisiana passed several laws last year that place restrictions on abortion procedures and hey were the subject of a federal hearing in Baton Rouge today. An attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, Zoe Levine, says getting an abortion is a core constitutional right…
cut 9 (10) “…of Louisiana”
The state is seeking to have portions of the lawsuit thrown out.

The full senate passed the budget bill on a 26 to 9 vote. Jeff Palermo has more on the state’s spending plan that heads to the governor’s desk…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the hip after he and four others were shot at a baseball practice on Wednesday morning. Scalise remains in critical condition after this third surgery but has improved over the last 24 hours according to MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

In federal court today, arguments were heard over state abortion laws passed last year. The laws extend waiting periods, ban certain procedures and restrict what doctors can perform abortions. Executive Director for the Louisiana Right to Life, Ben Clapper, defends the pro-life laws.
Cut 8 (09) “the goal”

But Attorney Zoe Levine says these restrictions put undue burdens on women’s access to abortion care.
Many families will be outside grilling steaks with Dad this weekend, as Father’s Day is Sunday. Executive Vice President of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association Robert Joyner says beef prices have been declining over the last few years and the beef industry has rebounded in a big way.
Cut 14 (08) “good year”

It’s likely the special session will come to an end today as legislators have approved a spending plan for next fiscal year. Most state agencies are not cut, TOPS is fully funded and 38-thousand state workers receive a 2-percent pay raise. Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur says for the first time in nearly a decade, public colleges will not receive a cut…
cut 4 (08) “….not doing”
But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt voted against the budget, because it uses 100 percent of the money that’s available. She would rather hold back a small portion in case of a mid-year shortfall…
cut 5 (11) “…the cycle”
The governor is expected to sign this budget bill which goes into effect at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1st.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. They say Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking the suspect and bashing his head into a window while the suspect was handcuffed. LSP spokeswoman Melissa Matey:
Cut 12 (09) “just that”
Neal was booked on one count of simple battery.

Baton Rouge Police announce officer Yuseff Hamadeh has been placed on paid administrative leave for a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday night during a traffic stop. Authorities say 35-year-old Jordan Frazier was killed when he got of the vehicle holding a handgun.

The LSU AgCenter is one step closer to getting medical marijuana to patients with cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS. Jeff Palermo has more…

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Lawmakers have finally come to a budget agreement, as the Senate approves the spending plan for next fiscal year on a 26 to 9 vote. The budget allocates all of the available dollars, but instructs the administration to hold some back in case of a shortfall. The plan also fully funds TOPS and higher ed and gives pay raises to some state employees.

Arguments are being heard today in a federal courtroom over state abortion laws passed last year. Center for Reproductive Rights attorney Zoe Levine says they filed a motion to dismiss 7 laws that impede women’s access to safe and legal abortions.

Cut 7 (09) “to contract”

The Louisiana Right to Life says the laws protect the health and safety of women and the lives of unborn babies.

New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond is concerned about security for congressman, as Jefferson Parish Congressman Steve Scalise continues to recover from a gunshot wound sustained during a shootout on congressional leaders. Richmond says members of Congress need protection.

Cut 15 (07) “on my own”

The House Majority Whip has a security detail, but other congressmen do not.

The shootout on members of Congress has New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond concerned about protection for federal lawmakers. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise has a security detail, but other congressmen do not. Richmond says security for members of Congress is embarrassingly inadequate.

Cut 14 (07) “need protection”

Richmond says if Scalise had not been at the ball park with his security detail, it could have been a blood bath.

The LSU AgCenter selects a vendor for the medical marijuana program. Chancellor Dr. Bill Richardson says LSU will be on the cutting edge of cannabis research, and they’ll be able to help patients.

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Richardson says they hope to have the product available by early next year.

A State Trooper is facing a simple battery charge after allegedly kicking a handcuffed suspect in the head while he was on the ground. Trooper Melissa Matey says Master Trooper John Neal’s use of excessive force didn’t stop there.

Cut 11 (10) “to shatter”

Civilian surveillance and body cameras captured footage of the incident.

An agreement with the federal government allows anglers to fish for red snapper in federal waters on weekends beginning today. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says after this season the fish population will be reevaluated to determine if a fall season can open.

Cut 8 (09) “to come”

Anglers can fish for red snapper 200 miles off the coast of Louisiana every weekend through September 4.

The LSU AgCenter is one step closer to getting medical marijuana to patients with cancer, epilepsy, and HIV/AIDS. Jeff Palermo has more:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Recreational fisherman will be able to cast a line for red snapper 200 miles into the Gulf on 39 days over 3 day weekends today through September 4th. Congressman Garret Graves says this is due to an agreement with the federal government, but they are working on a permanent plan:
Cut 9 (06) “long term”

MedStar Hospital says it will continue to update the condition of Congressman Steve Scalise on its Twitter account. They say he is still critical but has improved over the last 24 hours.

State Police say a trooper is under arrest for allegedly using excessive force when taking someone into custody in New Orleans. They say Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking the suspect and bashing his head into a window while the suspect was handcuffed. LSP spokeswoman Melissa Matey:
Cut 12 (09) “just that”
Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident and is booked with on one count of simple battery.

There’s a chance the special session could end today as a budget deal is near. The Senate Finance Committee approved the nearly 29-billion dollar House approved spending plan Thursday, so if the full senate passes the budget today without any changes, it will go the governor.

The LSU baseball team is in Omaha, as the Tigers begin their quest for a seventh national championship at the College World Series.

Congressman Steve Scalise is still in critical condition, though MedStar Washington Hospital says he has improved over the last 24 hours. The Congressional Baseball game Scalise was practicing for when he was shot took place last night, and Louisiana’s District 1 Representative was honored by members wearing LSU hats.

Congressman Cedric Richmond says what happened to Scalise is a prime example of why lawmakers in Washington should have more security. He says something has to be done to keep all members of Congress safe at all times…:
Cut 15 (07) “on my own”
Scalise had a security detail because he is the third highest ranking member of the US House, but other congressmen do not have such protection.

The state legislature could have a budget in place for next fiscal year after today. If no amendments are added to the House approved plan, the full Senate can send it to the governor’s desk today.

A State Trooper has been charged with simple battery after allegedly using excessive force on someone being taken into custody. Trooper Melissa Matey says Master Trooper John Neal is accused of kicking a subject in the head, and….:
Cut 11 (10) “to shatter”
Neal has been on forced leave since the February incident.

Louisiana has opened up a 39 day red snapper fishing season in federal waters starting today. Emelie Gunn has more…:
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After members of Congress were targeted in a Virginia shooting, New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond says it’s time to ramp up security for lawmakers.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

Meanwhile the hospital where Scalise is being treated says the House Majority Whip has improved over the last 24 hours, but remains in critical condition and will still need more surgeries.

The legislature is close to having a spending plan for next fiscal year in place as a House approved measure was quickly approved in the Senate Finance Committee Thursday and is set to hit the floor today.

Medical marijuana could be in the hands of patients suffering certain conditions by early next year, as another major step in the cultivation of the drug has been completed. A vendor for the program is now in place. LSU AgCenter Chancellor Dr. Bill Richardson says it’s been about a year since the board voted to allow LSU to grow medical marijuana..:
Cut 5 (10) “at it”
The plan is to contract with a bio-pharmaceutical research company from Las Vegas called GB Sciences.

It’s going to be a busy red snapper season for Louisiana anglers thanks to an agreement with the federal government. Starting today through September 4th, Gulf States will get 39 days to fish for red snapper in federal waters on weekends. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves:
Cut 7 (10) “fishing”