Polls show that the people of Louisiana and the legislature are at odds. Tuesday a constitutional amendment to raise the cigarette tax failed in committee – though recent polls by the American Cancer Society show 73 percent of Louisianians would approve of a tobacco tax increase.

The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates Louisiana could save up to $554.9 million over five years and between $185.2 million to almost $511 million over 10 years by expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Jim talks with Chris Nelson, with the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition, about the state of his industry--three years after the BP oil spill.

Journalist and political blogger Tom Aswell, of "Louisiana Voice", talks about his ongoing battle with Jindal Administration department heads over transparency.

Author Victoria Sweet discusses her latest book, "God's Hotel"

House committees took up two big ticket items Monday: budget reform and tobacco taxes.  Bills that would makeover the process of building the state’s budget passed favorably in the House Appropriations committee. A packed Ways and Means committee did not vote on tobacco taxes; representatives deferred their bills.

Democratic lawmakers claimed a small victory Sunday. But it wasn’t on the House floor, but at the first annual Truce for the Troops Bowl.

Turkish Review Chief Executive Editor Kerim Balci discusses the current dynamic in the Middle East and journalism in his home country. Bob Mann, from LSU's Manship School of Mass Communications joins in the conversation

Former Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Kitty Kimball talks about her career and her involvement with a gala event this Thursday for Haitian relief efforts, at the Renaissance Hotel.

Author Mary Ann Sternberg talks about her latest work, "River Road Rambler: A Curious Traveler Along Louisiana's Historic Byway".

All four bills seeking to increase taxes on tobacco products in the state have been voluntarily tabled amid legislative opposition to raising taxes.

Louisiana House Speaker Chuck Kleckley last week called on the legislature to restore funding to the state program that provides breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured and underserved women, and Sen. Karen Carter Peterson chaired a committee focused on funding for women’s services.

Women testified about holes in funding for domestic violence shelters, pregnancy care, cancer screenings, and sexual health. Peterson called Governor Jindal’s budget proposal for next year irresponsible. According to Beth Meeks, from the Louisiana Coalition on Domestic Violence, the governor’s slashing of women’s services just doesn’t make fiscal sense.