Tagged News

• Gas tax could increase 20 cents per gallon Play Video

  April 6, 2017 6:48 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The lack of funding for road work in Louisiana is causing more than just frustration on the highway. Business groups said Thursday it's hurting the Baton Rouge area economy. "We have a very unique example recently where the LA 1 Bridge across the river was posted [closed... more »

• Edwards unveils plan to bridge $304 million budget gap Play Video

  February 3, 2017 3:15 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards unveiled his plan to bridge a $304 million budget gap for the upcoming special session Monday. Edwards revealed plans to take advantage of the state's $119.6 million Rainy Day Fund to stabalize the budget. The governor's plan does not include raising... more »

• Free disaster crisis counseling available to flood survivors

  November 14, 2016 11:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Officials say that survivors who are still coping with the effects of the August flood and severe weather can take advantage of free disaster crisis counseling available through FEMA and the state of Louisiana. The purpose of the Crisis Counseling Program is to provide survivors with... more »

• Transportation report reveals congestion costing drivers money

  October 19, 2016 12:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE – CRISIS, the Baton Rouge coalition for transportation improvements, released a report on the city's transportation infrastructure that reveals traffic is costing drivers on average more than $1,000 on gas due to congestion and an additional $700 in car repairs and maintenance due to poor roads. The report... more »

• Pointe Coupee begins tackling budget crisis

  June 14, 2016 10:59 PM

  POINTE COUPEE PARISH - The Point Coupee Parish Police Jury agreed to the first round of budget cuts Tuesday after sales tax revenues fell short. Police jurors agreed to eliminate a position in the utility department and a $40,000 contract with cleaning services, as well as 25% cuts across... more »

• Study ranks Baton Rouge as 2nd most dangerous city for drivers Play Video

  June 13, 2016 10:27 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Just days after Gov. John Bel Edwards established a statewide task force to take on infrastructure issues, a regional coalition has released a study that ranks Baton Rouge as the second most dangerous city in the nation for motorists. The Capital City ranked behind only Detroit... more »

• Standoff between state House, Senate impeding progress Play Video

  March 2, 2016 1:22 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Tuesday at the capitol, discussions over raising sin taxes stalled again, but lawmakers did make a last minute decision to approve a one cent sales tax increase. For a 3rd consecutive day, Louisiana's House of Representatives refused to take an action on two tax increases - cigarettes... more »

• Budget, taxes and baseball: This week at the Capitol Play Video

  February 23, 2016 12:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - While most bills filed this session deal with raising taxes, cutting incentives or trimming departmental budgets, the State House of Representatives is expected to take up a bill that would sweeten Louisiana's bid to host the SEC Baseball Tournament in New Orleans. The bill would ammend an... more »

• Students rally at capitol Play Video

  February 19, 2016 6:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A small group of college students rallied at the capitol Friday protesting higher education cuts. They demanded state lawmakers take action in the current special session. The rally was completely organized by students, about fifty attended. "I think this is amazing that we were able to turn... more »

• Sin tax likely to increase Play Video

  February 17, 2016 8:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE- Smokers and drinkers could soon pay more for their vices. A number of tax increases were debated at the state capitol Wednesday. These "sin" taxes are on Governor Edwards wish list for tackling the states budget deficit. The increases could come as soon as April. The proposed increases... more »

• Income tax overhaul proposed Play Video

  February 15, 2016 8:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A number of proposals for a revised income tax system are on the table at the state capitol. It's part of an effort to solve the state's budget crisis. Governor Edwards' administration wants to lower to income taxes for everyone while reducing deductions. In one plan,... more »

• No college sports, a distant reality Play Video

  February 12, 2016 9:29 PM

  BATON ROUGE - University athletics are putting a lot of faith in state leaders to right the state budget gap. The state partially reinstated TOPS Friday , following a big scare to Louisiana students and their parents. Many in-state student athletes rely on TOPS. LSU baseball head Coach Paul... more »

• Edwards calls special session to raise taxes Play Video

  February 5, 2016 4:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State lawmakers will start debating a tax hike next week with Governor John Bel Edwards calling a special legislative session Friday to tackle Louisiana's budget crisis. Lawmakers will go into the special session on Sunday, Feb. 14 and will remain in session until Mar. 9. Edwards... more »

• Thousands of disabled children could lose health services Play Video

  January 28, 2016 6:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Kodi Wilson has a special way of talking to her son Braden. She runs her fingers through his blonde curls while he hums back at her. Braden can't talk or sit up or even grasp his mother's hand. He has a rare disorder known as Leigh's Disease... more »

• Education leaders meeting with Edwards over funding

  January 20, 2016 12:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards and education leaders from around Louisiana met at Governor's Mansion Wednesday to discuss how the ongoing budget crisis will impact colleges and universities. The meeting comes a day after Edwards proposed tax increases and budget changes to help get Louisiana back in... more »

• Lawmakers urged to raise state sales tax Play Video

  January 13, 2016 7:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - State lawmakers were told to face the music and raise the sales tax Wednesday. LSU professor Jim Richardson said it's one of the only ways to raise money immediately. Lawmakers have till June to raise $700-$750 million. Otherwise Medicaid, public schools and state colleges could run out... more »

• WATCH Governor-Elect Edwards talks possible tax increase

  January 4, 2016 8:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor-Elect John Bel Edwards gave some indication Monday about a possible plan to raise taxes to fill Louisiana's budget deficit. Specifically he would be in favor of eliminating some income tax deductions for individuals and corporations while lowering income taxes overall. Edwards said people would pay a... more »

• Medicaid, TOPS, public schools all running out of money Play Video

  December 30, 2015 1:58 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The state's budget woes keep getting worse. Louisiana now has a $2.65 billion budget hole to be filled by June. Incoming Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne announced the sobering news Tuesday at LSU. "This is the clear view, the true picture for where we are today. It's... more »