State

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) and Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-Southwest Louisiana) introduced H.R. 4844, to ensure the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund is used to improve navigation throughout America’s waterways. Currently, much of the trust fund masks part of the federal deficit each year.

A “strong sentiment” exists among lawmakers to repeal a new $15 increase in the cost of a driver’s license, Louisiana House Speaker Jim Tucker said Wednesday.
“It’s a big issue,” said Tucker, R-Terrytown.
Legislation has already been filed to eliminate the driver’s “record check” charge that was added to the cost of a license effective Monday. The license cost grew by 70 percent from $21.50 to $36.50.

Louisiana’s leaders of higher education are preparing to cut another $85 million from their budgets after receiving word from the Jindal administration.
Although Gov. Bobby Jindal said he intends to spare colleges from more cuts this coming year, lower than expected tax collections may force lawmakers to hedge on their earlier promises.

LAFAYETTE — Community Foundation of Acadiana (CFA) and River Ranch Institute (RRI) have announced the seven nonprofit organizations that will be featured during the Rhythms on the River concert series this spring.
Approximately fifteen organizations submitted proposals to be featured during the popular concert series.

Today, troopers with Louisiana State Police Region 2 detectives continued their aggressive stance against child predators. For a second day in a row, troopers arrested a man for possession of child pornography.

After a brief sojurn in federal court, the case of a couple alleging she incurred pain, suffering and mental anguish when confronted by a nutria in Wal-Mart is back in state court, where the store says if the incident did happen it's at least partly, if not wholly, the woman's fault.