The first bills that bring in revenue have been speeding through the Louisiana House much faster than originally thought. Lawmakers are trying to stave off cuts to higher ed and healthcare. Among the bills passed today, a 32-cent tax increase on a pack of cigarettes. The author of the measure is Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie and he says it will generate 68-million dollars that can go towards health care costs…:
CUT 13 (10) “where I want it”
The bill passed 77-27 and most of the bills are also passing by large margins.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests a Thibodaux man who allegedly shot a four year old in the neck with a pellet gun after the child stuck his tongue out at him. They say 22-year-old Darrin Rideaux claimed he thought the weapon was not loaded. He is booked this morning on one count of negligent injuring. The child was treated and released.

Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne fired the first shot in the Louisiana Governor’s race. Dardenne called US Senator David Vitter an absentee Senator after he apparently missed a vote while drinking beer with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in Baton Rouge. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says things are about to get rolling…:
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It didn’t take long for a team to pick up former Tiger La’el Collins as it’s reported the Cowboys get him on a 3 year $1.65 million dollar contract. The offensive lineman was never a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend Brittney Mills who was murdered at 8 months pregnant on April 24th, but the case was enough to keep him from being drafted. Baton Rouge Police Corporal Don Coppola says they are still actively working on this investigation…:
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The state House approves a series of bills that raises hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues to stave off large cuts to higher education and health care. Before the discussion began, House Speaker Chuck Kleckley explained to legislators how important it is to vote YES on these bills…:
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Among the bills passed today, a 32 cent tax increase on a pack of cigarettes and a measure that will require businesses to pay more sales tax on utility purchases they make.

Now that we know that former LSU Tiger La’el Collins was not the father of Brittney Mills’ deceased baby, where does the investigation into the murder go from here? Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman Don Coppola says this is still very much an ongoing active case they are working on…:
CUT 9 (09) “her child”
He says they asked Collins to take a paternity test because the relationship he had previously had with Mills was a romantic one but they learned he was not the father Wednesday.

It appears that Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne has fired the first shot in Louisiana’s governor’s race. Eric Gill has more…:
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There’s buzz in New Orleans that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are moving as their home goes on the market. Realtors show the French Quarter property is going for $6.5 million dollars.

Lawmakers have started talking about the various bills to increase revenue to close a $1.6 billion dollar budget shortfall. Before debate began, House Speaker Chuck Kleckley explained how important today is for lawmakers..:
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Among the bills that could generate revenue are a cigarette tax hike and a reduction in tax credits and tax exemptions that businesses receive. They are looking for more money to spend next year to try to stay away from cutting higher ed and healthcare.

Governor Bobby Jindal has reportedly set a self-imposed deadline on when he’ll make a decision about whether or not to run for president. Jindal now says he’ll make an announcement at the end of June. Previously he said he would announce after the session ends June 11th.

State Police announce the arrest of 34 individuals over the last two months following numerous criminal investigations by their Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit. These people were involved in committing insurance fraud, including staged or “jump-in” crashes and falsifying documents to make injury claims. Sgt. Nick Manale says some think these crimes are harmless, but that is far from the truth…:
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It is reported that intentional or staged crashes costs the insurance industry billions of dollars each year in fraudulent claims.

It appears that the first shot has been fired in Louisiana’s governor’s race. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne issued a statement calling US Senator David an absentee Senator after he missed a budget vote in the Senate. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this is expected…:
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New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession will be heard on the House floor. Eric Gill has more…:
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Cops say DNA results show former LSU Tiger La’el Collins was not the father of Brittney Mills’ baby. Mills was gunned down and killed at her apartment on April 24th and investigators sought Collins out for questioning in the case as he and the victim were previously in some sort of relationship. They say he is not a suspect and never was. Collins, who was not drafted, has been publicly meeting with NFL teams.

Members of the House today are talking about all things taxes as they continue to look for ways to plug the state’s $1.6 billion dollar budget shortfall. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says we’ll know more today about which way the budget will lean…:
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He says it’s entirely possible today’s meeting will last all day and possibly into the night.

The sale of raw milk will remain prohibited as another bill fails in the Senate. Some believe it is a basic human right to be able to purchase raw milk and not something the government should be interfering with. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry opposed but said he struggles with the issue because he drank raw milk as a kid, but knows the risks are far greater now…:
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The measure failed on a 5-3 vote.

Legislation that would legalize the sale of raw milk in Louisiana did not make it out of a Senate Committee. Michelle Southern reports…

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The Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest in a homicide in the Wollen Lake area. Authorities say 49-year-old Eugene Stickle has been arrested in the death of Brandy Branch. They say there was no visible cause of death on the body of Branch; however, officers confirm she and Stickle were in a relationship and there was some sort of altercation between the two yesterday afternoon.

It’s decision making day for House leaders as they vote on what changes to make when it comes to tax hikes and scaling back incentives in order to balance the state’s budget. LaPolitics-dot-com Publisher, Jeremy Alford, says the absolute linchpin this legislative session is the inventory tax. Whether the tax credit is scaled back or the tax is repealed altogether, he says lawmakers must do something to the inventory tax system…

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Alford says the House could meet well into the night.

Two bills that seek to control the wild hog population in Louisiana pass the House Natural Resources Committee. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham supports the lifetime license bill saying they want to be able to choose the price. Ouachita Parish DA Jerry Jones says it will be easier on farmers to have a one-time permit…

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The bills now head to the Full House.

Today House leaders will vote on various proposals that will go towards filling a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo reports…

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Shreveport Police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting death of 4-year-old Cameron Morris. 19-year-old Anthony Perot and 25-year-old Jeveara Johnson are each charged with a count of convicted felon in possession of a firearm and various drug charges. Authorities determined that both men were present at the scene when Morris was accidentally shot by another juvenile. Neither man has been charged with Morris’ death.

Two bills that seek to control the wild hog population in Louisiana will now head to the full House. One measure would approve year-round hunting seasons on razorbacks and the other would create a lifetime hunting license for the animal.Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Robert Barham says it’s a rural problem that’s about to become an urban one…

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The bills passed the House Natural Resources Committee.

New Orleans Representative Austin Badon’s bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana possession passed the House Criminal Justice Committee. Louisiana ACLU Executive Director Marjorie Esman voiced her opposition to Badon’s measure saying this bill doesn’t do enough…

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The measure will now be debated on the House floor.