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This week marks the midpoint of the Louisiana Legislature’s regular session, so lawmakers are halfway to somewhere.
I wish I could offer a more precise big-picture snapshot of the session, but a review of the leadership’s top priorities offers a mixed bag of progress.
While the budget package has exited the House and is on the move, there are a few lingering issues that still need to be addressed. Conservatives in the lower chamber are still fighting to limit the amount of one-dollars spent on recurring expenses and political players of all stripes are working hard to carve up the federal stimulus pie for various purposes.
The leadership’s tax package also remains in limbo as time disappears and the June 10 adjournment approaches.
The sales tax centralization proposal from House Speaker Clay Schexnayder looks positioned to pass, but the measure is only a first step without statutory language setting up the system.
Lawmakers will have to return in a future session to do the heavy lifting should voters approve the speaker’s constitutional amendment.
The success of the sales tax proposal, however, may have caused local government officials to dig in deeper on their opposition to changes to the inventory tax program.
The inability of locals to stop the former only reinforced their opposition to the latter, according to those involved with the talks.
The push for changes to the franchise tax, meanwhile, appears to be on shaky ground as well.
Supporters believe a substantive overhaul is no longer in the cards, but lawmakers may still have a shot at extending the tier one exemption that is currently on the books.
As for the income tax rates and brackets package from Ways and Means Chair Stuart Bishop that’s pending on the House floor, those bills are in a holding pattern along with some other tax-related legislation.
Part of the hold up involves members of the Black Caucus, who have asked the speaker to remove Rep. Ray Garofalo as chair of the House Education Committee, due to his recent controversial remarks over slavery.
“We have other members, who are not in the Black Caucus, that have the same concerns,” Rep. Ted James, the caucus chairman, told LaPolitics Weekly in an interview last week.
“We’ve had several conversations with the speaker and with Ray. We’ve tried to do this privately.
“And I trust the speaker on this. I just think now it may be beyond his control. There is clearly either a lack of understanding on this or people just don’t care.”
Without support from the caucus, proponents of tax reform may find their priorities stuck on the House floor.
That must be a bitter pill to swallow for supporters of the tax proposals.
After more than a year’s worth of work on the bills, they could be stalled due to an issue that emerged from the House Education Committee, rather than the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.
Garofalo had a bill that would have barred educators from teaching “divisive concepts” about race and sex.
During the debate over the legislation that was never even voted on, Garofalo let loose a quote that landed in news coverage across the country:
“If you are having a discussion on whatever the case may be, on slavery, then you can talk about everything dealing with slavery: the good, the bad, the ugly.”
James and other lawmakers pointed out there’s no “good” to teach about slavery.
And now that coalition is pushing for Garofalo’s removal and blocking important bills until there’s action.
The last time Speaker Schexnayder addressed the issue publicly, he said no decision had been made and that he was unwilling to offer any kind of timeline.
To be sure, several high-profile bills are on the move in this regular session, but the leadership’s centerpiece policy proposals are not among them at this hour.
That could change, of course — nothing forges compromises in the Capitol like the final moments of a session.
If tax reform does end up on the cutting room floor, then we may hear more in the coming weeks about a special session some time this year so that lawmakers can take another swing at the issue.
Short of a special session, what we’re witnessing now will probably be the last push for substantive tax reform this term.
After all, another fiscal session won’t be convened until 2023, which is also when lawmakers will be running for re-election.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com orfollowAlford on Twitter@LaPoliticsNow.

BATON ROUGE — Would you know if you or a loved one were having a stroke? When every minute counts, it’s important to recognize the signs, according to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana news release. May is National Stroke Awareness Month, which makes it the perfect time to learn about strokes and how to lower stroke risk.
A stroke is caused by blocked blood flow to the brain and this can affect your speech, movement and memory, according to the news release. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nationwide, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds.
Strokes are a leading cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability in the U.S. Louisiana is among the states with the highest death rates from strokes.
“When someone is having a stroke, the sooner you call for help, the better,” said Dr. Larry Simon, interim senior medical director and Medicare medical director at Blue Cross. “We were taught in medical school that ‘time is brain.’ This means that people who are treated shortly after having a stroke are more likely to live through it and less likely to have ongoing, serious outcomes. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to know the warning signs and be ready to get immediate medical attention. You could save a life.”
Warning signs of a stroke include:
—Weakness in the face, arm or leg.
—Difficulty speaking.
—Vision loss.
—Dizziness.
—Brief loss of consciousness.
If you think someone is having a stroke, call 911.
Strokes can happen at any age, but the risk is higher if you’re over age 65. Other things that can increase the risk of stroke are:
—Smoking and drinking.
—High blood pressure.
—High cholesterol.
—Diabetes.
—Eating foods high in salt, saturated fat or sugar on a regular basis.
People who have already had a stroke can be at a higher risk for having future strokes. The good news is that up to 80% of strokes could be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, nutritious eating habits and quitting or avoiding tobacco.
Blue Cross advises to talk to a primary care provider about what can be done to avoid a stroke. An annual wellness visit is the perfect time to ask how to stay healthy.
Anyone who has had a stroke before, should ask how to lower the risk of it happening again. A provider may prescribe medication to help keep with numbers for blood pressure or other indicators in a healthy range. Those who are prescribed medication, should take it exactly as the provider advised.
Get more tips to help prevent strokes in a video online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3ipeo1I1ko.
Visit the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana YouTube channel to see short videos with the clinical team and others on various health topics.

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

A man reported to Morgan City police for brandishing a weapon Monday turned out to be a convicted felon who was also arrested on possession of methamphetamine and Xanax charges, arrest reports sadi.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported that over the last 24-hour period, the Morgan City Police Department responded to 36 calls for service and made these arrests:
—Cortez Francois, 25, Garber Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 5:48 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies, disturbing the peace, possession of Xanax, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Officers were called to Apple Street for a male subject brandishing a rifle and causing a disturbance. Responding officers located Francois in the area in possession of a .22-caliber rifle along with suspected methamphetamine, Xanax and drug paraphernalia.
A computer check revealed Francois was a convicted felon and was prohibited him from possessing a firearm. The area is also a posted drug- and firearm-free zone. (Continued from Page 10)
He was placed under arrest and transported to the Morgan City Police Department for booking and incarceration.
—Kenneth Glenn Evans III, 41, Bernice Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:48 p.m. Monday on a warrant for distribution of crack cocaine and violation of the controlled dangerous substance laws (drug-free zone).
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
— Nicholas Walter Grimmett, 40, South Verret Street, Morgan City, was arrested Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated (third offense) and headlights required and on a St. Mary Parish warrant for second-degree battery.
The arrest followed a traffic stop on La. 182 in Amelia.
A uniformed patrol officer observed a pickup truck with an equipment violation and initiated a stop of that vehicle.
The driver quickly exited the vehicle and approached the deputy. The suspect, identified as Grimmett, displayed signs of impairment and had a strong odor of alcohol emitting from his person as well as the vehicle.
Grimmett was arrested and transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center, at which time he performed a chemical test for intoxication and registered above the legal limit.
Grimmett was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with a bond set at $15,000.
—Dakota Aubrey Daigle, 28, Second Street, Morgan City, was arrested on a charge of simple burglary.
The charges arose from a theft that occurred on or about April 19 in the Bayou L’Ourse community.
On Friday, detectives received communication from the Morgan City Police Department regarding information relative to this investigation.
Detectives from Assumption Parish met with the suspect, Daigle, at the Morgan City Police Department and interviewed him.
During the interview, detectives secured sufficient probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Daigle.
He was then transported to Assumption Parish and booked into the detention facility pending a bond hearing.
Detectives said that other arrests are likely in this matter.
—Jessica Bourgeois Hue, 38, Andras Street, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia (third offense), resisting an officer and obstruction of justice, and on a warrant for failure to appear.
The arrest followed an investigative stop near the Aristle Road Bridge in Bayou L’Ourse.
A uniformed patrol officer observed a female hanging partially over the side of the bridge. The deputy stopped and attempted to initiate a conversation with the woman.
The woman, now identified as Hue, was non-compliant and at one point attempted to walk off. The suspect intentionally attempted to dispose of evidence. The woman then attempted to run but was restrained by the deputy.
A search incidental to arrest resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and assorted paraphernalia.
Hue was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility incarcerated pending a bond hearing.
—Donald Phillips, 37, Angela Street, Pierre Part, was arrested Monday on charges of felony cruelty to a juvenile.
The arrest is related to an alleged incident in late April in Pierre Part.
Detectives responded to a complaint at a local medical facility in reference to a juvenile having sustained injuries consistent with cruelty while in the care of Phillips.
Detectives established probable cause that a crime was committed and that Phillips was the perpetrator.
Detectives interviewed Phillips, who was arrested Monday and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 36 complaints and made these arrests:
 —John Anthony Henry, 41, Amelia, was arrested at 7:36 a.m. Monday on charges of brake lights required and driving under suspension, and on two warrants for failure to appear on the charge of battery of a dating partner.
Henry also held an active warrant for the charges of domestic abuse battery by strangulation, domestic abuse aggravated assault and domestic abuse aggravated assault child endangerment law (three counts). No bail has been set.
—Charles Madison Rhodes, 53, Thibodaux, was arrested at 3 p.m. Monday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended, revoked or canceled and operating a vehicle with an unlit license plate. No bail has been set.
—Juvenile male, 13, Patterson, was arrested 12:22 a.m. Tuesday as an ungovernable juvenile. The boy was released into the custody of a guardian pending juvenile court proceedings.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly reported that the Police Department responded to 10 complaints over the past 24 hours and made these arrests:
 —Carolyn Colbert, 49, Ibert Street, Franklin, was arrested at 3:40 p.m. Monday on a charge of aggravated assault. Colbert was booked, processed and released on a $1,500 bond.
 —Jeremy Housley, 39, Lacy Street, Franklin, was arrested at 5:33 p.m. Monday on a charge of illegal possession of a stolen firearm. Housley was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
 —Zariq Perry, 20, Pine Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana (second offense). Perry was booked, processed and held on a $4,000 bond.
 —Irvyon James, 18, Seventh Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:19 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of marijuana, careless operation and no driver’s license. James was booked, processed and released on a $2,500 bond.
 —Tariq Perry, 21, Willow Street, Franklin, was arrested at 9:24 p.m. Monday on a warrant dated April 7 for theft, domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, and domestic abuse battery by strangulation. Perry was additionally arrested on a warrant for 3rd Ward City Court for failure to appear on the charge of careless operation.
Perry was booked, processed and held with no bond set at the time of this press release.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Barbara Dupuis, 60, Doyle Melancon Road, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Monday on a charge of operating while intoxicated (second offense).
—Lynell Jordan, 33, Brookglade Circle, Houston, was arrested Monday by the Henderson Police Department on an extradition warrant.
—Timothy Seneca, 39, Grand Anse Highways, Arnaudville, was arrested Monday on a warrant for failure to appear.

Berwick High School did not bring a big contingent to the state track and field meet Friday, but the competitors they did bring all finished in the top four of their competition in Class 3A, including a state champion and a third-place finish.
“I thought it was really good,” Berwick coach Paul Gilder said of his group. “It was quality.”
Junior Ilaria Sabatini led the squad as she won the 800-meter dash with a time of 2:20.37.
“She worked hard,” Gilder said. “She asked what I wanted to do. She did it, so you couldn’t ask for any more than that, and she was just real pleasant.”
Sabatini, a foreign exchange student from Rome, said she never thought she would win a state title in track when she came to America, because America is strong in track at the Olympics.
“I thought, ‘oh my gosh, I will be the last one’” finishing in the meets before she started running here, Sabatini said. She said that winning a state title is one of the things she would remember about her time here.
Sabatini finished fourth in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:01.84.
“Ilaria, in the 400, to come back after the 800 (meter run), it is tough,” Gilder said. “If it would have been on the Saturday when there’s 3A, 4A, 5A, just a little bit more rest, she probably would have been on the podium.”
Sabatini was the Division II indoor state runner-up in the 800 meter run.
Meanwhile, senior Darby Frickey finished third in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 10:05.93.
“For Darby to be on the podium, I know that was a special thing,” Gilder said. “It really was.”
Frickey said it was a “great accomplishment” to place third in the 3,200-meter run at state.
“It was my first time placing at the state level in cross country or track, and I achieved a fast time of 10:05 that would win many Class 3A 3,200 (meter) races,” he said.
Berwick’s third competitor, junior Brett Bearb, finished fourth in the javelin with a throw of 160 feet, 8 inches.
“He’s coming back,” Gilder said. “He’s got another year.”
This year, Berwick set six school records. Frickey broke the 3,200-meter run mark with a time of 9:55.11. The previous mark was owned by J.J. Falcon who had set the mark in 1976 with a time of 9:57.1
Meanwhile, Sabatini broke the 400- and 800-meter school records this year. Sabatini broke Lauren Cantrell’s 2019 mark of 2:25.7 set in 2019. Sabatini set a new record in the event multiple times this year, the most recent time at the state meet where she ran a 2:20.37 mark.
Sabatini also set the 400-meter dash mark with a time of 59.35, breaking the mark of Becky Scarbrough. Scarbrough’s mark of 1:02.83 had been the state record since 1988.
The Lady Panthers’ 4x400-meter relay of Kate Williams, Sabatini, Arianna Jones and Ashlyn Fitter broke the school record with a time of 4:25.31. They beat the record of 4:28.53 set in 2003 by Catherine Guidry, Yasmine Johnson, Jordan Sinitere and Kayla Goulas.
The Lady Panthers also broke a school record in the 4x800-meter relay with a time of 12:55.15. The team was comprised of Evalyn Blanc, Grace Campbell, Abby Williams and Abbie Dupuis. They broke the school mark of 12:56.65 that was set in 2019.
This season, Berwick finished no lower than third in any of their meets on the boys’ side, and the girls finished no lower than third in any meet. Berwick’s boys won the Snooks Relays, the St. Mary Parish Relays and the Tri-City Relays, while its girls squad won the St. Mary Parish Relays and the Tri-City Relays.
Bearb won the district title in the javelin, while Dane Grow won the district title in the high jump. Sabatini won the district titles in the 400-meter dash and 800-meter run. Sabatini also was the district track MVP.
Central Catholic
Central Catholic’s lone competitor at the state meet placed in both of her events in Class 1A Thursday.
Freshman Ava Claire Calais was the state runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 48.64, while she finished third in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.7.
“I thought I did pretty well, probably could have pushed myself more, but I feel like I did really well and placed well,” Calais said.
Calais’ time in the 300-meter hurdles set a school record.
“That’s a real big accomplishment. I’m very proud of her,” Central Catholic coach David Fuhrer said of Calais’ performances at state, adding that she works hard and is coachable.
Fuhrer said that Calais suffered an ankle injury in warmups for the 100-meter hurdles at regionals and still advanced. While he said the injury wasn’t severe, he said they were cautious in their approach to preps for the state meet.
She also competed in the indoor state track and field meet this year.
As for the rest of the team this outdoor season, Fuhrer said his team did well and towards the conclusion of the season, he said that much of the team set personal records like they are expected. He said they had a young team this year.
Patterson
The Patterson Lumb-erjacks had one competitor at the state meet this year that finished sixth in the long jump.
Senior Dedrick Gant finished sixth with a leap of 21 feet, 7.25 inches in his first year of jumping.
“So for him to qualify and make it to the state meet that was huge, so we’re proud of him, we’re happy for him, and we’re hoping that he continues on after high school, going on to college and continuing to jump,” Patterson coach Travis Darnell said.
Even more impressive, he didn’t join the team until the middle of the outdoor season because he played basketball.
Gant’s personal record was set at regionals where he jumped 22 feet, 3.75 inches.
This season, the Lumberjacks also had a district champion in the shot put in Christian Johnson and in the discus in Christopher Phillips.
“We had a ton of kids who made it out to the regional meet, and we’re young,” Darnell said. “Most of those kids are sophomores and juniors, and we have a few freshmen in there, too, so we’re really looking forward to having a pretty good team next year."