The legislative session’s first revenue raising bill passed out of committee Monday. Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie’s measure would raise the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to 68 cents — matching the rate in Mississippi. Health advocates lined up to speak in favor. Frances Gilcreast, a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, is a former smoker and told the committee about how smoking has impacted her life…:
CUT 13 (09) “lung cancer”
Jack Casanova is a cigarette wholesaler and he says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…:
CUT 12 (09) “major issue”
The tax proposal passed on a 11-5 vote. It’s expected to generate an estimated 67-million dollars for the state annually, which could be used towards the one-point-six billion dollar shortfall.

The full House approves legislation that puts an end to the practice of the state transferring money from a transportation fund to State Police. Every year between 65 and 70 million dollars goes from the transportation trust fund to State Police. New Iberia Representative Terry Landry is a former superintendent of State Police…:
CUT 30 (09) “years and years”
The measure now heads to the Senate.

Looking ahead to Tuesday, the House Ways and Means committee will be looking at a bill that seeks to get rid of the state’s film tax credit program by 2019. House Bill 276 is by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris. He says the movie subsidy has gotten way out of control…:
CUT 8 (10) “million dollars”
But others say this is no solution to fixing the state’s budget problems.

Very strong storms with high winds and heavy rain pounded South Louisiana, causing widespread damage and power outages affecting thousands. Frank Rivette (REE vet), with the National Weather Service, says those areas are not out of the woods yet…
CUT 6 (11) Q: ‘overnight’
Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says it may be quite a while before everyone gets their power back.

There’s one less name in contention for the Louisiana governor’s race as New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu has officially ruled out a run for the fall election. Today he told reporters during a speech the Baton Rouge Press Club, if he HAD decided to run, he would win. That still leaves Amite Representative John Bel Edwards as the lone democrat in the race. Landrieu has not announced any endorsements as of yet.
————————-
The House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that increases he state’s cigarette tax from 36-cents to 68-cents per pack, to match the rate in Mississippi. The bill’s author, Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie, originally proposed an increase of over one-dollar, but agreed to the lower tax, so the measure would be approved…
cut 10 (06) “….trying to do”
Opposition came from cigarette wholesalers and convenience store owners, saying it will have negative impact on jobs.

Today is the start of Navy Week in Shreveport/Bossier, and with it, comes the opportunity for the ArkLaTex to meet sailors face-to-face and learn about their missions…
cut 16 (07) “as well”
That’s lead Navy week planner Gary Ross, who says events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and participation in service projects. More information is online at NavyOutreach-dot-org.

The strong storm activity that swept through southeast Louisiana has resulted in high wind damage and street flooding. Frank Rivette (REE vet), with the National Weather Service, says numerous trees and power lines went down, and thousands were without power…
CUT 5 (10) “squall line moved”
Many of those areas are still expecting more rain before things improve tomorrow.

A Pineville man is dead following a big storm that ripped through Mobile Bay during a regatta competition. The wife of 27 year-old Kris Beall reported his death in a Facebook post Sunday. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the storm appeared very quickly during the race…
CUT 9 (10) “that took place”
———————————
A bill to raise the state’s cigarette tax to 68-cents a pack gets approval from the House Ways and Means Committee. Jeff Palermo has the story…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Since the privatization of the state’s charity hospital system, lawmakers are getting an earful about financial gaps that need to be filled. Besides the care needs for the poor, the deficit dollars total about $159 million short in Governor Bobby Jindal’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. LSU Medical Schools in New Orleans and Shreveport are stuck with millions in costs, which officials say they cannot afford.

The strong storm activity that swept through southeast Louisiana earlier today has resulted in wind damage and street flooding in the area. Eric Gill reports…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

In Shreveport/Bossier, it’s the start of Navy Week — an opportunity for the ArkLaTex to meet Sailors and learn about their missions. Scheduled events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and service projects. The schedule of events can be found at NavyOutreach-dot-org.
—————————
Powerful storms along the Gulf Coast had tragic results in Mobile Bay causing several sailboats to capsize. A Pineville man also died competing in a regatta Saturday afternoon. The family of 27 year-old Kris Beall confirmed that one of the bodies recovered was his. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the storm caught boaters by surprise…
CUT 8 (10) Q: ‘at the time’

That state bill for a tax increase on cigarettes has cleared the House Ways and Means Committee. That tax would move the tax from 36 cents to 68 cents. The measure passed 11-5, but not without opposition like former state senator Fred Hoyt, who is a convenient store owner…
CUT 11 (09) Q: ‘and food”

Entergy says crews are responding to extensive outages along south Louisiana as a strong line of storms packed strong wind gusts, hail and lightning strikes causing damage to the state’s power grid. There are over 170,000 Entergy customers currently without power and over 100,000 DEMCO residents in the dark. Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says, with storm activity like today, there are several factors that can cause power outages…:
CUT 3 (10) “event like this”
He says they are working to get everybody back up but some customers might remain without power through tomorrow.

A House Panel approves a 68 cent cigarette tax increase. The vote was 11-5 in the House Ways and Means Committee. Opposition came from Jack Casanova, a cigarette wholesaler who says such an increase will have an impact on jobs and bring security concerns…:
CUT 12 (09) “major issue”
Supporter say the money from the tax increase could go to fill the state’s budget deficit.

The family of 27-year-old Kris Beall of Pineville, who was competing in a regatta in Mobile Bay when a powerful storm capsized several sailboats, says he is among the dead. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Johnson says the incident happened Saturday afternoon…:
CUT 7 (12) “Bay off guard”
Beall’s wife reported his death in a Facebook post Sunday. Officials say there are still people missing and the search is ongoing.

Cops say two LSU students died after being found at the bottom of a swimming pool in an apartment complex. They believe the two died early in the morning. Police pulled them out of the water and indicate there are no obvious signs of foul play. Apparently the two got inside by climbing around a fence because the pool was closed.

Entergy and DEMCO say thousands of customers are without power after a horrible storm blew through south Louisiana this morning. Entergy spokesman Tom Peters says it could be a while before they get everybody back up…:
CUT 4 (09) “straight line winds”
They say power could be out for some areas until tomorrow. Cops are urging folks to stay off the roads if possible.

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a bill that increases the state’s cigarette tax from 36 cents per pack to 68 cents to match the tax rate in Mississippi. The bill’s author, Bogalusa Representative Harold Ritchie, originally proposed a tax increase of over one-dollar, but agreed to lower the tax so the measure would be approved…:
CUT 10 (06) “trying to do”
The bill advanced on an 11-5 vote and it’s expected to generate an estimated 67 million dollars for the state annually, which could be used towards the state’s one-point-six billion dollar shortfall.

Today is the start of of Navy Week in Shreveport Bossier…an opportunity for the community to meet Sailors and learn about their missions. Lead Navy week planner Gary Ross says events include free concerts, demonstrations, commemorative events, school visits and participation in service projects;
CUT 14 (11) “contact”
Ross says this is one of 12 Navy Weeks the their Office of Community Outreach is hosting in 2015.

Gas prices keep going up. The current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.30 which is 6 cents up from this time last week according to AAA.

Officials are urging folks in southeast Louisiana to stay put if you can as severe storms have moved through the area and downed trees and power-lines. Entergy is reporting over 150,000 customers are without power. Spokesman Tom Peters says crews will be working to restore electricity as weather conditions improve…:
CUT 1 (05) “is safe”
The National Weather Service in New Orleans says a tornado was spotted near Thibodaux by local sheriff’s office personnel.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office urges consumers to research the costs and benefits of solar panels before purchasing them. The director of the public protection division of the state’s A-G’s office, Sam Pleasant, says homeowners can be attracted by a promise of reduced energy costs from solar power systems, but..:
CUT 13 (09) “up front”

The $22.9 million makeover of the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria begins today after numerous delays. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

ESPN is reporting the Pelicans have made a max offer to All-Star Anthony Davis that would pay him a total of 140-million dollars over five years. Davis still has one-year left on his rookie contract. The Pels season is over after getting swept by Golden State in their first round playoff series.