A bill that would have dramatically increased the tax rate for online sports betting to offset the loss of revenue from lower income tax rates is on hold. Supporters, like Louisiana Progress Executive Director Peter Robins-Brown, say there is clear evidence of an increase of domestic violence as a result of an increase in online sports betting…

Cut 7 (12) “…making it easier.”

Louisiana Casino Association director Wade Duty warns the higher tax could discourage online betting platforms, potentially impacting brick-and-mortar casinos, which often partner with online sportsbooks.

Cut 8 (12) “…business as usual.”

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves is hailing the overwhelming House passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill that passed 327 to 75 eliminates the Windfall Elimination Penalty and the Government Pension Offset. Graves says Louisiana has been among the most impacted by these two provisions.

Cut 3 (11) “…40 years now.”

The two provisions had the effect of reducing Social Security benefits for people who worked in the public sector, such as teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Optimism among small businesses in Louisiana is up – but so is uncertainty. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, says while the optimism index remains below the 50-year average, there are encouraging signs.

Cut 10 (06) “…to look like.”

As for the increase in the uncertainty index, Long says you can blame the debate in Baton Rouge over tax reform.

Congressman Garret Graves is hailing the overwhelming House passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A bill that would drastically increase the tax rate for online sports betting from 15% to 51% has been shelved for the session. Sean Richardson says the House Ways and Means Committee still discussed the legislation…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves is hailing the overwhelming House passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill that passed 327 to 75 eliminates the Windfall Elimination Penalty and the Government Pension Offset. Graves says Louisiana has been among the most impacted by these two provisions.

Cut 3 (11) “…40 years now.”

The two provisions had the effect of reducing Social Security benefits for people who worked in the public sector, such as teachers, police officers and firefighters. Graves and co-sponsor Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from Virginia, filed a discharge petition to force a vote, and a strong majority signed on to it.

Cut 4 (13) “…for a vote.”

The bill now goes to the Senate, which has only a limited amount of time to consider the bill and pass it so that it can get onto President Biden’s desk. Graves says the House spoke loud and clear, and that should force the Senate’s hand.

Cut 5 (13) “…behind this effort.” 

Opponents say eliminating those two provisions would put additional strain on the already-strained Social Security.

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Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder has decided not to move forward with a bill that would dramatically increase the tax rate for online sports betting, from 15% to 51%.  Wilder filed the bill to boost state revenue by an estimated $150 million dollars a year to help offset legislation to reduce income tax rates for both individuals and corporations. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson supported the higher tax on sports wagering…

Cut 6 (14) “…take care of the kids.”

Other proponents, like Louisiana Progress Executive Director Peter Robins-Brown says there is clear evidence of an increase of  domestic violence as a result of the recent increase in online sports betting…

Cut 7 (12) “…making it easier.”

Louisiana Casino Association director Wade Duty warns the higher tax could discourage online betting platforms, potentially pushing customers to illegal options and impacting brick-and-mortar casinos, which  partnered with online sportsbooks.

Cut 8 (12) “…business as usual.”

Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad says the tax increase is being done in bad faith with expectations being set for when casinos initially invested in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (10)  “…to operate in.”

Online sports betting, legalized in 2021, is now a major revenue source in Louisiana.

_______________________________________________________

Optimism among small businesses in Louisiana is up – but so is uncertainty. Leah Long, the state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, says while the optimism index remains below the 50-year average, there are encouraging signs.

Cut 10 (06) “…to look like.”

Long says while this year’s holiday shopping season will be of the shortest possible length, when defined as between Black Friday and Christmas Eve, it’s a season that small businesses are looking towards for strong sales.

Cut 11 (10) “…out and about.”

As for the increase in the uncertainty index to its highest level ever, Long says you can blame the debate in Baton Rouge over tax reform, especially when it comes to businesses not currently subject to sales taxes that may have to start collecting them.

Cut 12 (11) “…affect my business?”

An estimated 90-thousand Louisiana retirees will benefit from legislation approved in the U-S House. The measure would eliminate the social security penalty for teachers and first responders. Public servants like them would receive their full Social security benefits earned while working outside of government. Congressman Garret Graves says the vote was 327 to 75…

Cut 5 (13) “….effort”
It still needs Senate approval.

The Louisiana House has approved legislation that would move Louisiana to a three-percent flat income tax. It would result in every worker receiving a tax break on income taxes, reducing state revenues by one-point-three billion dollars. The revenue loss is what concerns New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry…

Cut 14 (05) “…to it”

The Landry wants to pay for the tax cut by expanding the sales tax base.

A bill that would drastically increase the tax rate for online sports betting from 15% to 51% has been shelved for the session. Sean Richardson says the House Ways and Means Committee still discussed the legislation…

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey has signed the nation’s number one recruiting class. All four of the signees are five-star prospects. The highest ranked prospect according to ESPN is Grace Knox, a six-foot-three forward from Las Vegas.

Denham Springs Representative Roger Wilder has decided not to move forward with a bill that would dramatically increase the tax rate for online sports betting, from 15% to 51%. Wilder filed the bill to boost state revenue by an estimated 150 million dollars a year to help offset a drop in income tax rates. It had the support of Pineville Representative Mike Johnson.

Cut 6 (14) “…of the kids.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is hosting Regional Litter Summits this week to address the state’s litter problem. Executive Director Susan Russell says they want to engage local communities…

Cut 9 (13)  “…roads clean.”

The House overwhelmingly passes the Social Security Fairness Act, which would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Penalty and the Government Pension Offset. Those two provisions had the effect of reducing benefits for people who worked in the public sector. Congressman Garret Graves and co-sponsor Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat from Virginia, filed a discharge petition to force a vote, and a strong majority signed on to it.

Cut 4 (13) “…for a vote.”

The bill now goes to the Senate, which has only a limited amount of time to consider the bill and pass it so that it can get onto President Biden’s desk.

Plenty of reaction to a federal judge’s preliminary ruling that the state’s Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

An LSU student has been arrested for threatening to kill Governor Jeff Landry. Authorities say 21-year-old Jackson Pemberton posted on the social media website “X” that I am going to kill you Jeff Landry. WBRZ-TV reports Pemberton was upset about the governor arranging for a live tiger to be brought into Tiger Stadium.

Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves is hailing the overwhelming House passage of the Social Security Fairness Act. The bill that passed 327 to 75 eliminates the Windfall Elimination Penalty and the Government Pension Offset. Graves says Louisiana has been among the most impacted by these two provisions.

Cut 3 (11) “…40 years now.”

The two provisions had the effect of reducing Social Security benefits for people who worked in the public sector, such as teachers, police officers and firefighters.

A woman who claimed her son had been kidnapped is facing several charges. The child was not kidnapped. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Major Mark LeBlanc says Artasia Viges (VEE-zhees) four year old son actually got out of a moving car during a disagreement.

Cut 12 (13) “…sight of him.”

Viges faces three charges, including child desertion and false swearing.

A State Senate committee will soon take up a measure to move Louisiana to a flat income tax after getting the okay from the house.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Governor Landry is defending his push to bring a live tiger into Death Valley prior to LSU’s blowout loss to Alabama. During an event in Metairie, Landry said Omar, which was brought in from Florida, was the only tiger to show up that night.

Both sides are reacting after a federal court judge in Baton Rouge put a halt to the state’s Ten Commandments law. Jabarie Walker, the political director at the ACLU of Louisiana, hailed Judge John deGravelles’ (de-GRAVEL) ruling, saying separation of church and state means keeping religion out of public schools.

Cut 5 (12) “…fight it there.” 

And that’s exactl\y what the state will do. In a statement, Attorney General Liz Murrill said she strongly disagrees with the decision and will immediately appeal.

A woman is behind bars for allegedly endangering her young son. Investigators in St. Landry Parish say Artasia Viges (VEE-zhees) told them that people in an older model truck kidnapped her son, who’s less than five years old, as she was tending to a flat tire. Major Mark LeBlanc said investigators determined it to be something else entirely..

Cut 10 (09) “…the child’s knees.”

Viges is behind bars on 200-thousand dollars bond.

The Louisiana House has approved two significant pieces of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan. The first bill to head to the Senate for its approval is a measure reduce individual income taxes to a flat three-percent rate. The bill passed on an 87-12 vote, with only Democrats voting against it. The Louisiana House also approved a bill to repeal the corporation franchise tax. Emerson says this is a tax that’s hurt economic development efforts in Louisiana…

Cut 15 (08) “…you make.”

Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs is expected to debate these bills on Friday.

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is hosting Regional Litter Summits in Louisiana this week to address the state’s litter problem. K-L-B Director Susan Russeel says the goal is to engage local communities…

Cut 9 (12) “…roads clean”

Plenty of reaction after a federal court judge in Baton Rouge put the state’s Ten Commandments law on hold. Jabarie Walker, the political director at the ACLU of Louisiana, kids should be able to go to school without fear that a religion – especially one that they do not practice – will be pushed on them.

Cut 6 (11) “…a public school.”

In a statement, Attorney General Liz Murrill said she strongly disagrees with Judge DeGravelles’ decision and will immediately appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

A woman claimed that her son had been kidnapped is now facing charges. St. Landry Parish Sheriff deputies says Artasia Vigees told authorities her child was taken while she was attending to a flat tire. But Major Mark LeBlacn says investigators determined that’s not what happened…

Cut 11 (07) “….in the night”

People are still reacting after a federal court judge in Baton Rouge put the state’s Ten Commandments law on hold. Jabarie Walker, the political director at the ACLU of Louisiana, hailed Judge John deGravelles’ (de-GRAVEL) ruling, saying it ensures the separation of church and state, which means –at least in part–keeping religion out of public schools.

Cut 5 (12) “…people of Louisiana.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is hosting Regional Litter Summits in Louisiana this week to address the state’s litter problem. KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says these summits, supported by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser, aim to increase support from local governments, partners, and elected officials in the effort to clean up Louisiana.

Cut 7 (13) “…that we provide.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a bill to cut state income taxes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A woman who claimed her son had been kidnapped is facing several charges. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Major Mark LeBlanc says Artasia Viges (VEE-zhees) four year old son actually got out of the moving car during a disagreement.

Cut 12 (13) “…sight of him.”

Plenty of reaction to a federal judge’s preliminary ruling that the state’s Ten Commandments law is unconstitutional. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A woman who claimed her son had been kidnapped is facing charges herself this morning. St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Major Mark LeBlanc says Artasia Viges (VEE-zhees) and her son, who’s not even five, actually had a disagreement while she was driving in Eunice.

Cut 10 (09) “…the child’s knees.”
LeBlanc says Viges made up the kidnapping story to cover up the truth.
——————————
The Louisiana House has approved two big pieces of Governor Jeff Landry’s tax plan. The first bill to head to the Senate for its approval is a measure to reduce individual income taxes to a flat three-percent rate. The Landry administration wants to offset the revenue loss by taxing services currently not taxed and renewing a temporary sales tax that expires next year. But New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry says none of that has happened yet.

Cut 14 (05) “…to it.”

Keep Louisiana Beautiful is hosting Regional Litter Summits in Louisiana this week to address the state’s litter problem. KLB Executive Director Susan Russell says the summits are an effort to understand the challenges local governments face in managing litter and explore ways to assist them…like citations.

Cut 8 (11) “…bad behavior.”