 BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says his office is hurting for funds, as his prosecutors are working overtime to keep up with a rising tide of cases due to the city's outburst of violent crime. Since the city-parish government is unable to help, he's turning to residents for some financial relief. He has proposed a property tax measure be placed on the ballot next spring. The exact amount has not been settled on yet. A public hearing on the matter is set for Monday. Read why Moore says the proposed tax is crucial for the parish.
Gov. Jeff Landry and House leaders were unable to lock down enough votes to pass a key component of the governor’s tax reform plan on Thursday. The bill would raise $500 million per year by extending the sales tax to 41 services that go untaxed today, including online dating, pet grooming and spa treatments. The path forward for Landry and legislative leaders was not clear as business finished on the ninth day of a 25-day special session. Read more about the day's action.
Children at Southdowns School in Baton Rouge spent the past 10 weeks getting free swim lessons, hitting the pool three times a week to learn the basics of swimming and water safety. Shalika Scott, who is in her second year as principal, organized the new swim lessons. “It’s mainly to teach them that if they did fall in a pool they could float, they could lay on their backs and manage to get out,” Scott said. At the preschool, 60% of the children suffer from various disabilities. Read more about the program. | 
