Here’s the plan: Gov. John Bel Edwards is readying to release his outline for a special legislative session he is calling to stabilize Louisiana’s finances, The Associated Press reports. Edwards intends to issue the executive order today, setting the dates and parameters for the session to begin Feb. 14. Edwards says his aim is to rebalance Louisiana’s budget and end cycles of continuing shortfalls. He’s proposing tax increases to raise new money for the treasury, saying that’s the only way to avoid devastating cuts to public colleges and health services. Republican lawmakers say there’s room for reductions in government spending, and they’ve urged Edwards to include those ideas in the special session. Louisiana has a more than $700 million shortfall this fiscal year and estimates a nearly $2 billion gap for next fiscal year.
Find the remote: Cox Communications and Nexstar reached an agreement to retransmit channels on their lineup, the cable broadcaster announced Thursday afternoon in a news release. The agreement means WGMB-FOX 44, WBRL, The CW, KLAF-NBC, KADN and My Network TV Acadiana will return to televisions in the homes of Cox customers in Baton Rouge and Acadiana. Details of the agreement were not outlined in the release. Channels in nine markets went dark because the two companies could not agree to the terms of a retransmission contract. Such disputes have become commonplace in recent years as programmers attempt to get higher fees from distributors broadcasting their channels, NASDAQ says. Read the full story.
The race is on: Antoine Pierce has announced his candidacy for the Metro Council District 8 seat. He will challenge Republican Buddy Amoroso for the seat. On his website, Pierce says he is a musician, actor and writer. He is president of the Better Boys Initiative, Inc. and director of the Inspire Actors Association. He supports limited government, clean and smoke free air in public facilities and public-private partnerships among other things. In a news release, Pierce says he is committed to working closely with law enforcement to reduce crime, address social and economic inequalities, partner with high-profile businesses and civic leaders, address traffic congestion and improve infrastructure to promote tourism and travel to Baton Rouge. The Metro Council primary election is Nov. 8. Qualifying for the primary election runs from July 20-22.
