KPLC Hot Topic

Tobacco Tax

     Seventy cents!   That's how much one state lawmaker is hoping to increase the price of a pack of cigarettes.  If State Representative Harold Ritchie has his way, smokers would have to pay $1.06 per pack in taxes.  That does not include the federal tax.  Cigars, smoking, and smokeless tobacco prices will also increase anywhere between four to sixteen percent.  Ritchie says the proposed tax increase would provide the state with an extra 178 million dollars a year, and all the money would go towards the state's healthcare programs.  What do you think about a 70 cents hike in the cigarette tax?  Is it fair to smokers?

Texas Gambling

      It's always been the big question hanging over Southwest Louisiana casinos... What if Texas allowed casino gambling?  The issue is coming up again.  Texans could get to vote on a constitutional amendment to allow gambling.  Proponents are pushing for it as a way to deal with the state's 23 billion dollar budget shortfall.  So the Texas Gaming Association is backing a measure that would license eight casinos and slot machines at eight racetracks.  Other measures would allow gambling on indian reservations or slot machines at bingo halls.  The Texas House Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committee heard testimony Tuesday to get a better idea of the proposed bill.  There have been several efforts in the past to bring casino gambling to Texas.  But so far, all have failed.  With Texas facing a 23 billion dollar budget deficit, do you feel it's more likely this time around, that its legislature may approve these gambling proposals?

Obama addresses nation

    President Obama addressed the nation tonight on Libya to reassure Americans and the world that the U.S. is committed to pulling out of the conflict soon.  The President also used the opportunity to defend his initial decision to get involved by saying the international military operation was necessary to prevent "a campaign of killing" by Moammar Gadhafi.  And he says it saved countless lives.  The President says a transition to NATO on Wednesday will reduce U.S. military risk, and taxpayer cost significantly.  What's your reaction to the President's speech?  Do you feel the U.S. will be able to successfully transfer the leadership role in the conflict to NATO?

Police Jury districts

      Congressional seats aren't the only ones being affected by redistricting.  Last night, Calcasieu Police Jurors got the chance to see what redistricting will mean for them.  The ideal population number of people in each of the 15 single member districts is 12,851 people.  Parish Administrator Bryan Beam says as required by law, the plan preserves minority voting strength in the four minority districts.  And he says it maintains the core area of the police jury districts, meaning no district incumbents will run against each other.  Cade Cole, the specialist the police jury hired to map out the new lines, says changes have been kept to a minimum.  Now is the time for citizens who want to comment on the redistricting plan to get involved.  A public hearing on the new district maps will be held at 5:30 March 29th.  Do you have any comments or concerns about redistricting for Calcasieu police jurors?

Insurance hikes

      If you have your home owners insurance with State Farm, you'll be happy about this latest action from the State Insurance Commission.  State regulators rejected a rate hike request from the state's largest home insurer.  State Farm wanted an average 14.3% increase for its 300,000 Louisiana customers.  Insurance Commissioner James Donelon rejected the increase, saying it was not justified.  State Farm says it hasn't decided what its next step will be.  What's your reaction to the State Farm rate increase request?

Mystery oil

     Is there a new oil spill threatening Louisiana's southeast coast?  Earlier this week, we told you about an oily sheen found on the beach in Grand Isle.  Now, there are reports of large areas of coastal waters covered with that oily sheen.  The Coast Guard confirms that it's crude oil.  But can't say if it's from the BP oil spill or another well that's leaking.  What do you think about the new oil that's showing up on Grand Isle?  Do you think the initial cleanup was sufficient?  Or could this be some of that same oil turning up again?

U.S. involvement in Libya

     U.S. led attacks continue in Libya, but Moammar Khaddafy is not backing down.  President Obama says the U.S. will soon give up leadership of the allied assault.   In Washington, critics in both political parties are demanding to know the Obama exit plan.  Last week, Libyan rebels looked doomed.  But thanks to American F-15 pilots, British pilots, and the French, the Libyan rebels in the eastern stronghold of Benghazi have new hope.  But President Obama promised Monday that the allied forces will not be led by the U.S. for long.  There's been no formal debate or vote on Libya.  But both Democrats and Republicans are expressing concern about U.S. involvement in yet another war.  Should the President limit the U.S. role in the Libyan conflict, and turn over more responsibility to other allied countries?

Lines drawn in the sand

          The battle lines are being drawn over the new congressional district lines.  A special session of the legislature will hit the ground on Monday, when lawmakers take on the issue of re-districting.  The first official drafts of the redrawn Louisiana congressional districts were unveiled Thursday in a House committee in Baton Rouge.  For the first time, Louisiana will lose one congressional seat because of the new census results. Instead of seven, we'll have six members of the congressional delegation.  House and Governmental Affairs Chairman Rick Gallot says anyone can still put their opinions on the record. The plans that were presented so far, do protect the Lake Charles area from being drawn into a district with Shreveport.  But of course, all of this is still in draft form.  There is still much work to be done as the first full day of the session gets underway Monday.  What would you like to see happen with the re-districting plan as lawmakers convene in the special session? 

Cypress Group gets extension

     At Wednesday night's Lake Charles City Council meeting, despite opposition, the Cypress Group got an extension on their upcoming April 3rd deadline for their proposed lakeside development.  The extension gives Cypress an additional three months to secure their application for HUD funding.  But not everyone agrees with the project.  Councilmen Stuart Weatherford and Dana Carl Jackson voted not to give an extension.  How do you feel about giving Cypress more time to apply for funding?

Global fears

     With news of another reactor explosion and more radiation beginning to leak out from unit number four, Japan's nuclear crisis escalated dramatically Tuesday.  Another fire from the reactor caused the Japanese government to warn 140 thousand people to seal themselves inside their homes.  And an estimated 70 thousand people have been evacuated from a 12 mile area around the nuclear plant.  Experts fear it could get even worse on a global front.  David Albright, President of the ISIS nuclear research group said, "It's an international problem.  There is going to be radiation crossing over Japanese borders into other countries.  We think it's low levels now, but we don't know what it's going to be tomorrow."  With that in mind, are you concerned about the global impact this nuclear crisis could have on the rest of the world?