“Sens. David Vitter (R-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced a bill Tuesday that would strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its power to block mining permits under the Clean Water Act.” – The Hill

“After hauling in $435 million from last year’s tax amnesty program, Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield told lawmakers Tuesday that he’s hoping the state will collect another $100 million from the 2014 run.” – LAPolitics.com

“IBM announced Tuesday that Baton Rouge is one of 16 cities worldwide — including only four in the U.S. — that won the $500,000 grant, which will be used to explore innovative ways to address traffic and public transit issues.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The House Health and Welfare Committee narrowly passed a bill 4-3 that would require chain restaurants to put nutritional information for their menu items on display.” – NOLA.com

“This week on ‘Wingin’ It Wednesday,’ panelist Mike Stagg, former Congressman Jeff Landry, and Carol Ross joined ‘Nathan and Bernie in the Morning’ to discuss the increased resignation of Lafayette Parish public school teachers as well as the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision regarding the Affordable Care Act and contraception. – KPEL

“Legislators are expected to take up a number of bills Wednesday that would make changes to the state’s popular college scholarship program known as TOPS.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“The Landrieu machine’s new snake oil is the assertion that Senator Landrieu is too valuable to Louisiana and the Oil and Gas Industry as the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee to let her get beat and have the Energy Committee controlled by pro-energy independent Republicans. This is the new political Hadicol being sold to the masses in Louisiana.” – The Dead Pelican

“A panel to debate the issues of the proposed city of St. George was abruptly canceled after one of the parties objected to having the media present.” – Baton Rouge Advocate

“Suzy Sonnier, secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services, told members of the House Appropriations Committee Tuesday that officials are still looking into the October electronic outage that resulted in a large number of food stamp recipients overspending on their monthly benefits.” – LAPolitics.com

“Tearing down the levee – known as ‘degrading’ – is a needed to expand the base of the earthen mound in order to accommodate the new higher elevation. But with the levee job suspended indefinitely, Braithwaite is now more vulnerable to flooding than before the work started.” – WWL-TV