Say move sends wrong message during tough financial times: The state’s two largest teachers unions and a budget watchdog group are opposing Gov. Bobby Jindal’s plans to seek extensions of several business tax breaks. Jindal wants the Legislature to continue the state’s Quality Jobs Program, which gives tax rebates to companies that create new jobs with specific wage and benefit levels. Jindal also wants to extend tax credits for companies that conduct research and development in Louisiana, and for firms that commercialize technology developed at state colleges and digital media developers. Jindal says the tax breaks help Louisiana compete for jobs. The Times-Picayune reports that the Louisiana Federation of Teachers says the proposal sends the wrong message when Jindal also said public school financing would be frozen next year. The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Budget Project also weighed in against the tax break extensions.
Accused of showing up at woman’s house with gun: Stromile Swift, a former LSU basketball star, faces an assault charge after he allegedly showed up at a woman’s house with a gun. The (Shreveport) Times says police were at the woman’s house investigating a vandalism report when Swift showed up with a gun. The woman told police Swift had sent her threatening text messages. Swift was charged with suspicion of aggravated assault and improper telephone communications. Swift, a Shreveport native, played for two seasons with the Tigers from 1998 to 2000 and was a key member of the 2000 team that made it to the Sweet 16 of the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. He was the second player taken in the 2000 NBA Draft, but was a disappointment in the pro ranks. In 2009, he signed a contract to play basketball in China.
