Tagged News

• Legislative session ends as Louisiana's $47B budget passes with pay raises for state employees Play Video

  June 1, 2026 5:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers concluded the 2026 Regular Legislative Session after passing a $47 billion budget, which includes pay raises for state employees. The budget is described as a "stand-still" spending plan, meaning it stays mostly flat compared to previous years. Rep. Jack McFarland, chairman of the... more »

• Proposed bill aims to give state legislature more flexibility about when it meets and how it works

  March 25, 2026 1:14 PM

  BATON ROUGE (LSU Manship School News) - A proposal by Rep. Kyle Green, D-Marrero, is sparking debate over how, and when, Louisiana's Legislature should conduct its work. House Bill 752, advanced by a House committee on Tuesday, aims to significantly reshape the state's legislative calendar and the constitutional framework... more »

• Veterans could serve as park wardens under proposed Louisiana bill Play Video

  March 20, 2026 6:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers are considering a new approach to improving safety in public parks by putting veterans back to work. House Bill 436, authored by Kellee Hennessy Dickerson, would allow honorably discharged veterans to serve as wardens in state parks and, in some cases, take on law... more »

• House panel advances bill to criminalize deepfake images of minors Play Video

  March 19, 2026 1:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Rep. Bryan Fontenot, R-Thibodaux, proposed a bill on Wednesday making it a felony to possess, sell and distribute artificial intelligence-produced nudity of a minor. The bill received unanimous support from the House Criminal Justice Committee, and it now advances to the House floor. House Bill... more »

• Landry summons lawmakers to Baton Rouge to deal with election issues for 2026 Play Video

  October 16, 2025 3:10 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry is calling state lawmakers back to Baton Rouge for a special session to deal with next year's elections. The day after the Supreme Court heard arguments on what map Louisiana might use for future U.S. House races, Landry summoned the House and Senate... more »

• Advocates, Gov. Landry support legislative proposal to tighten regulations on distracted driving Play Video

  April 15, 2025 6:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Distracted driving advocates joined Gov. Jeff Landry and other officials to re-introduce the Hands-Free Law to the legislature after multiple failed attempts. Louisiana already has a law in place that criminalizes distracted driving, but the new law would provide stricter guidelines, such as specific limits on... more »

• Landry reiterates plans to overhaul state insurance, continue economic growth in address to legislature Play Video

  April 14, 2025 2:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Gov. Jeff Landry doubled down on his plans to overhaul how the state's insurance system is managed, as well as his intentions to continue to promote Louisiana's economic growth, during his address at the start of the 2025 legislative session on Monday. "Despite all the sunshine... more »

• State legislators say state budget proposal is 'boring' but stable as they prep for session Play Video

  February 20, 2025 8:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers got their first look at Gov. Jeff Landry's plan for state spending for the next year at the Capitol on Thursday, which will be the starting point for debates during the legislative session. Experts described the budget as boring, but it's stable with little movement.... more »

• Gov. Landry signs series of tax bills passed during legislative special session Play Video

  December 5, 2024 1:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday signed a series of bills focused on making changes to the state's tax policies passed by the state legislature during a special session he called in November. "Christmas is early for Louisiana," Landry said ahead of the signing. Landry signed... more »

• Legislature sends bills reducing income, sales, corporate taxes to governor as special session wraps Play Video

  November 22, 2024 4:47 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Legislators on Friday adjourned their third special session of the year, this one focused on changes to the state's tax policy. Six bills were passed that will make changes to various aspects of the state's tax policy, including the reduction of corporate tax rates, the elimination... more »

• Special session tax bill to apply sales tax to tax-free goods, services unable to secure sufficient votes Play Video

  November 15, 2024 12:54 PM

  BATON ROUGE – Gov. Jeff Landry's ambitious tax plan, which had previously encountered minimal resistance, hit its first bump on Thursday as lawmakers balked at applying sales taxes to more goods and services that are tax-free now. Lawmakers said Landry was unable to secure the 70 votes from the... more »

• House tax committee voted to advance Landry's proposed flat 3 percent personal income tax rate

  November 8, 2024 12:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE — A House tax committee voted Thursday to advance Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposal for a flat 3% personal income tax rate. If approved by the full House and Senate, the plan would eliminate the current income tax brackets and move the state closer to Landry’s ultimate goal... more »

• Special legislative session for tax reform starts Wednesday Play Video

  November 6, 2024 11:37 AM

  BATON ROUGE — A special legislative session started Wednesday to discuss changes to the state tax system. The special session will be "focused on rebuilding our outdated tax system and growing our economy" and will extend through Nov. 25, Gov. Jeff Landry announced Oct. 28. The session started Wednesday... more »

• Governor calls for special session of legislature to discuss changes to state's tax system, economy Play Video

  October 28, 2024 12:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE — Gov. Jeff Landry on Monday called a special session of the Louisiana Legislature to discuss changes to the state's tax system. The special session, he says, will be "focused on rebuilding our outdated tax system and growing our economy" and will begin Nov. 6 and extend... more »

• St. George Council meets for education session as next step in forming new government Play Video

  June 19, 2024 4:59 PM

  ST. GEORGE - The Louisiana Municipal Association met with St. George leaders Wednesday to lend some expertise to the new city's leadership as it builds out its new municipal services. The session took place at the St. George Fire Station — St. George's de facto town hall — where... more »

• Monday marks end of regular legislative session Play Video

  June 3, 2024 9:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Monday marks the end of the regular legislative session in the capitol, which means dozens of bills are heading to the governor's desk to be signed. One of those bills would allow parents to use public funds to send their children to private schools in the... more »

• Louisiana entering another hurricane season in insurance crisis Play Video

  May 23, 2024 3:16 PM

  BATON ROUGE - This hurricane season, property owners are still navigating an expensive insurance market . "I think we're very deep in an insurance crisis," said Louisiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. After a tough 2020 and 2021, four hurricanes and 800,000 insurance claims, Louisiana remains in... more »

• As legislative session looms, fight over Mississippi River Bridge funding brews Play Video

  March 11, 2022 11:32 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As lawmakers return to the State Capitol for the legislative session, which opens Monday, a battle over proposed funding for a new Mississippi River Bridge has already begun. In the executive budget proposal unveiled in January, Gov. John Bel Edwards proposes setting aside $500 million in... more »

• Governor vetoes bill proposing transgender ban in girls sports

  June 22, 2021 4:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill proposing the ban of transgender girls playing school sports. Senate Bill 156, known as the Fairness in Women's Sports Act, hoped to "prevent transgender girls and women from participating on athletic teams or in sporting events designated for girls... more »

• Proposed police reform study called racist, Floyd reference removed Play Video

  June 10, 2020 6:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A resolution passed in the House and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday that sets up a review of law enforcement and policing. The resolution asks to assemble a study group to take a look at law enforcement and ensure fairness and justice are being practiced. It's something... more »

• State Capitol visitors will be screened for COVID-19 before entering

  March 14, 2020 4:57 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Anyone with plans on entering the state capitol will be screened for the coroanvirus starting March 16th. According to an email sent from the Senate Office of Communication and House Communications Office, the Louisiana State Legislature is taking precautions to complete its business during the 2020... more »

• What to expect from the legislative session Play Video

  March 9, 2020 12:51 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Monday, March 9th will be the start of an 85 day long legislative session. More than 1,000 bills will be up for debate. "Democrat Rep. Ted James said, " Number one issue outside of the budget will be tort reform. We have an insurance commissioner... more »

• Two detained in connection to Sherwood homicide

  June 5, 2017 4:53 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Authorities say they have apprehended multiple subjects in connection to a homicide Monday. The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office located a stolen vehicle that was allegedly connecteded to an apparent homicide at an apartment complex in the 4900 block of South Sherwood Forest. The vehicle was... more »

• Governor Edwards calling precautionary special session

  May 31, 2017 6:01 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Governor John Bel Edwards is calling a special legislative session to start next week, a precaution for the possibility he won't reach agreement with lawmakers on Louisiana's budget. The special session will convene at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2017, and it must adjourn by midnight... more »

• Lawmakers talk tax bills in second week of legislative session Play Video

  April 17, 2017 10:29 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A busy Monday starts the second week of the legislative session. Nearly a dozen proposed bills are up for discussion in the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs. Two of them deal with the flooding events last year, and tax breaks. Under... more »

• Edwards calls special session for Feb. 13-23 Play Video

  January 27, 2017 10:58 AM

  BATON ROUGE – Governor Edwards announced on Friday that he is bringing the legislature into its next special session starting Feb. 13 to address the state's $300 million budget deficit. The special session will run to Feb. 23. Gov. Edwards: Next week, I intend to issue a... more »

• Advocacy group aims to improve La. women's lives

  December 13, 2016 11:34 PM

  BATON ROUGE- A new advocacy group was launched Tuesday aimed at improving the lives of women in Louisiana. Ignite Advocacy Network is an extension of the #ItsNoJoke effort, started by New Orleans State Representative Helena Moreno last May. The effort was created in response to Jackson Rep. Kenneth... more »

• 2 Special Sessions: The cost to taxpayers Play Video

  June 24, 2016 9:17 PM

  BATON ROUGE - In addition to the usual legislative session, lawmakers spent a lot of extra time at the Capitol this year thanks to two separate Special Sessions. The move cost taxpayers millions. The first Special Session began on February 14th. It ended 25 days later, but over that... more »

• Lawmaker calls proposed tax policy 'worst ever' Play Video

  June 15, 2016 11:12 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Some lawmakers are calling a tax bill that passed through the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday as some of the worst tax policy ever. The tax hike would mainly impact wealthy people when they file their state return. It will only take effect if the... more »

• House passes bill expanding use of cannabis oil, heads back to Senate

  May 11, 2016 8:49 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The State House of Representatives approved a bill that would expand the legal use of cannabis oil. The bill now heads back to the Senate. Lawmakers made cannabis oil legal in 2015 but only for certain diseases. There has been a push this session to expand... more »

• Back in session: Higher education, healthcare could face cuts

  March 14, 2016 8:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The new legislative session began today, and Governor John Bel Edwards delivered grim news to lawmakers regarding the state budget in his opening address. Lawmakers didn't raise enough money in the special session to keep critical services from being cut. Under state law, they can't raise... more »

• Special session deadline looms at the capitol Play Video

  March 9, 2016 12:03 AM

  BATON ROUGE - A deadline looms at the state capitol. By the end of Wednesday, the special session called to deal with the state's budget woes will be over. It'll be a busy day. Lawmakers have to find another $200 million. Accomplishing that could be easier said than done; They've... more »

• Lawmakers race against the clock to close budget gap Play Video

  March 8, 2016 12:19 AM

  BATON ROGE - The special legislative session ends Wednesday and lawmakers now have less than 48 hours to sort out the state's budget mess. Monday, they discussed raising the sales tax an extra cent until the end of the current fiscal year. There's no official proposal yet, but republicans and... more »

• Budget cuts might close special needs day care

  February 15, 2016 5:50 PM

  BATON ROUGE - A special needs day care might have to close their doors if the state cuts the budget. Pediatria employees care for special needs children with ventilators and feeding tubes on a daily basis. "This is one of the jewels that we truly have," State Rep.... more »

• Treasurer Kennedy on the state budget deficit Play Video

  September 30, 2015 10:33 AM

  BATON ROUGE- The state budget deficit is looming over lawmakers' heads. A key economist with the state has already told residents to expect cuts before the end of the year. Treasurer John Kennedy stopped by 2une In Wednesday morning to explain the state's financial predicament. "We're spending more money than... more »