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For the second time in as many weeks, the Long-Allen La. 182 Bridge has been closed after an accident in which the height restriction barrier was damaged.
Unlike the Jan. 26 incident when the height restriction barrier was damaged on the Berwick side, this time the incident occurred in Morgan City’s jurisdiction, leaving the bridge connecting Berwick and Morgan City over the Atchafalaya River closed until further notice, Morgan City Police Chief James Blair said Wednesday afternoon.
Blair said the department is investigating the accident, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development is in route for repair and inspection.
Motorist should use the E.J. “Lionel” Grizzaffi U.S. 90 Bridge as the alternate route.

St. Mary and Assumption parishes had only 15 new confirmed COVID cases between them for the 24 hours ending at midday Wednesday, and St. Martin's case count was reduced three. But the number of confirmed COVID-related fatalities grew by two.

Statewide, the daily fatality count topped 50 again. But the number of COVID hospitalizations slipped to its lowest level in nearly two months.

St. Martin had one new confirmed COVID-related fatality, raising the toll there to 98 confirmed with eight probable. The pandemic case count was lowered to 4,275 confirmed with 388 probable

The number of confirmed COVID fatalities in St. Mary rose by one to 102, but the number of probable fatalities fell by one to 11. Ten new confirmed COVID cases were reported Wednesday for a pandemic total of 3,204 with 686 probable.

Assumption had five new confirmed cases Wednesday for a pandemic total of 1,482 confirmed with 511 probable. The death toll there remains at 28 confirmed with three probable.

Statewide:

--2,046 new cases raised the pandemic total to 353,507 confirmed with 52,728 probable.

--53 deaths raised the toll to 8,421 confirmed and 585 probable.

--54 fewer COVID-positive people are in hospitals, lowering the total to 1,386. The number of hospitalizations peaked at 2,033 Jan. 4 and hadn't been below 1,400 since Dec. 5.

--9 fewer people are on ventilators for a total of 180.

(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.)

Berwick police say they arrested a woman who acted strangely as she approached people in the River Road area, returned after police left and then was found to be holding a bag of methamphetamine.
Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:
—Cassie Rankin, 31, Levee Road, Morgan City, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, introduction of contraband and disturbing the peace.
About 7:13 p.m. Monday, Berwick officers received several calls from the River Road area in  reference to a female subject approaching residents outside of their homes. The callers stated that the woman seemed to be impaired on something.
Officers patrolled the area and was not able to initially locate the woman. While in the area, officers obtained information that the female was Rankin.
Hours later, more calls were received from River Road indicting that the woman was back in the area and causing a disturbance. Officers located Rankin at a residence on River Road and placed her under arrest.
Rankin was transported to the Berwick jail where she was searched and found to be in possession of a small bag of methamphetamine. She was booked into the Berwick jail on the charges  and remains incarcerated awaiting bond.
—Jaydrick Decloutte, 28, Charlotte Street, Patterson, was arrested at 10:11 a.m. Monday on Berwick warrants for tail lights required, aggravated flight from an officer and driving with a suspended driver’s license.
On Monday morning, the Berwick Police Department received a call from Patterson Police Department stating that Decloutte was at the Patterson Police Department to turn himself in due to active warrants that Berwick police held for his arrest. 
Berwick officers went to the Patterson Jail and placed him under arrest. He was later transported  back to Berwick for booking. 
The Berwick warrants stem from incidents at 9:23 p.m. Jan. 31 in which Berwick officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle Decloutte was driving for having no tail lights on U.S. 90 in Berwick.  
Decloutte failed to stop and led police on a vehicle pursuit into Patterson in the area of Charlotte Street, where he fled on foot into a residence. 
Officers were not able to locate Decloutte at that time and later issued a warrant for his arrest. Decloutte was booked into the Berwick Jail and later transported back to the Patterson Jail, where he is being housed waiting for bond to be set. 
St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advises that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 39 complaints and made these arrests:
 —Davontraye Jacoby Johnson, 26, Morgan City, was arrested at 10:57 a.m. Monday on a charge of duty of offender to notify law enforcement of a change of address. No bail has been set.
—Rossandre P. Legrier, 22, Jeanerette was arrested at 10:04 a.m. Monday on a charge of possession of marijuana. Legrier was released on a summons to appear May 24.
—Jaylon Williams, 20, Franklin, was arrested at 12:32 a.m. Tuesday on charges of improper lane usage, no driver’s license and possession of marijuana. Williams was released on a summons to appear May 24.
—Eric Christopher Williams, 31, Franklin, was arrested at 12:32 a.m. Tuesday on a Franklin Police Department warrant for battery-simple. Williams is being held for another agency.
—Kade Cowart, 19, Franklin, was arrested at 2:53 p.m. Monday by the Narcotics Section on charges of stop sign violation and possession of MDMA (ecstasy). No bail has been set
Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported these arrests:
—Michael Dean Gilmer II, 32, Millenium Avenue, Houma, was arrested Saturday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, speeding and driving under suspension, and on a fugitive warrant from Lafourche Parish.
The arrest resulted from an incident Saturday afternoon on U.S. 90 near Bayou L’Ourse.
A uniformed patrol deputy on assignment observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the violator.
The deputy made contact with the driver, identified as Gilmer. The deputy determined that Gilmer was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license and was also wanted on a fugitive warrant for Lafourche Parish.
The deputy made observations which warranted additional investigation and a K-9 was summoned to the scene. The K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics.
A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a quantity of methamphetamine.
Gilmer was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center with bond set at $17,500.
—Robert Curtis Porter, 39, Archery Drive, Baton Rouge, was arrested Monday on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, speeding and driving on roadway laned for traffic.
The arrest resulted from a stop on La. 70 East late Monday evening in the Paincourtville area.
A uniformed patrol officer on assignment observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation and initiated a stop of the vehicle.Upon coming into contact with the vehicle and the driver, identified as Porter, the deputy noted a pungent odor of suspected marijuana emitting from the vehicle.
The deputy interviewed the passenger and noted inconsistencies in versions of events.
The deputy believed further investigation was warranted and requested a K-9 to the location of the stop.
The K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics.
A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of marijuana and U.S. currency.
Porter was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Gloria Adams, 40, Catahoula Highway, Lafayette, was arrested Monday on charges of domestic abuse battery, taking contraband to or from a penal institution and damage to property.
—Duke Batiste, 22, Hebert Avenue, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Monday on a charge of possession of stolen things.
—Marcus Cormier, 53, Henderson Highway, Henderson, was arrested Monday by the Henderson Police Department on warrants for failure to appear, battery on a police officer, resisting and officer with force or violence, simple escape and aggravated escape.
—Kaytlynn Miller, 23, Joe Kidder Road, Arnaudville, was arrested Monday on a warrant for failure to appear.
—Nicholas, Willis, 41, Eraste Landry Highway, Lafayette, was arrested Monday on a charge of simple burglary of a movable or immovable.
—Desiree Courville, 34, River Ridge Road, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Sunday on a warrant for failure to appear, theft valued at $1-$999, and entry or remaining in places after forbidden.
—Gabriel Wiltz, 31, Cypress Garden Drive, St. Martinville, was arrested Sunday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of battery of a dating partner and resisting an officer.
—Leon McKinley, 25, Main Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Saturday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal use of a weapon.
—Marcus Blair, 38, Choctaw Road, Brusly, was arrested Friday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse.
—David Butler, 37, Anderson Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Friday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of possession of Schedule IV drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, sale, distribution or possession of a legend drug, simple possession of marijuana, and failure to appear.
—Joshua Dore, 36, Rue Du Jardin Drive, Lafayette, was arrested Friday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on charges of entry or remaining in places after forbidden, theft valued at $1-$999, aggravated flight from an officer, trespassing, and possession of a concealed firearm by a convicted felon, and on an extradition warrant.

Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Chairman Bret Allain and House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop said in separate interviews last week that they will co-author a package of tax bills during the spring regular session.
The two men, who over see the Louisiana Legislature’s tax-writing committees, have been working on some segments of the plan for a year, dating back to informal meetings they held during the early months of 2020. But only recently have they begun the process of merging their individual efforts.
The tax package will be introduced for debate in the upcoming regular session that convenes April 12. Since it’s an odd-numbered year, the regular session will be fiscal in nature, meaning tax bills can be filed and passed.
The Republican chairmen have invited several stakeholders into the drafting process, including national voices like the Tax Foundation and the Council on State Taxation. Regarding the latter, Allain and Bishop said they’re largely driven by the goal of bettering the state’s standings in tax-related rankings, which would in turn make Louisiana more attractive to investors and businesses looking to relocate.
“Simplicity and predictability,” said Allain. “That’s the goal.”
The most important bills will be co-authored, with Bishop leading on the bills that must begin on the House side and Allain steering those that can be filed in the Senate. To the extent allowed, some of the bills will also be interconnected.
Senate President Page Cortez told LaPolitics last week that he hoped the package would be revenue neutral. Allain agreed, adding, “As much as possible. Obviously we don't want to create a fiscal note we have to go and defend."
Bishop wants a revenue neutral package, too, and he said an early tally is coming soon. “The House has already drafted bills and sent them off and we’re awaiting fiscal notes to see exactly what the package does,” said Bishop.
While bill drafts and other details were not yet available for release, the package, according to the chairmen, has five planks…
1.) Personal and corporate income taxes: “Our goal is to lower the rate as much as we can and add stability,” said Allain. “For me, this is the top issue in the tax package.”
2.) Inventory tax credit: While local governments have long opposed any changes to the inventory tax credit, many lawmakers want to reform the convoluted system that necessitates such a credit without impacting local coffers. At the same time, many local officials would like to see the governor’s executive order on industrial tax exemptions made permanent. “Maybe we can come together and marry those issues,” said Allain, “where everyone gets what they want.”
3.) Franchise tax: “We’re taking a look at how we can phase out and replace it,” said Bishop. “The idea of us taxing people on the amount of capital in this state isn't doing us any favors.”
4.) Tax administration: This category has bills that will probably be the easiest for the chairmen to pass. For example, they want the state aligned with the new IRS partnership audit provisions and they’re exploring different options for people who work in Louisiana on a temporary basis.
5.) Severance taxes: This conversation with the oil and has industry began in earnest this week when Allain and Bishop asked representatives to help them come up with a compromise to make severance taxes, and other elements of tax law, fair to both industry and the state.
Bishop said he also plans to push a revamped centralized sales tax collection system as part of his own House package. That proposal is expected to be authored by Speaker Clay Schexnayder. Allain said he’s supportive of the concept and expects Senate members to file similar bills on the topic.
The plan is an ambitious one, especially as lawmakers take up other challenging issues like the budget, unemployment and the coronavirus. But legislators rightfully feel like they should swing for the fences this spring. They may not get another shot.
The Legislature’s next fiscal session will be held in an election year (in 2023), when the collective political will to make changes won’t be nearly as strong.
As such, many in the Capitol’s orbit believe this year will be the last opportunity lawmakers have this term for substantive tax reforms.
I happen to believe they’re right. It’s now or never for this term of state government.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @LaPolitsNow.