Louisiana Senate OKs tax cut

Thursday, March 15, 2001 | 10:45 a.m.

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Gov. Mike Foster showed his power, getting enough votes in the Senate to approve a major tax cut for Harrah's New Orleans casino to keep the gambling palace from closing at the end of this month.

The Senate voted 23-15 Wednesday for the measure, which also dedicates at least $50 million to pay raises for teachers and university professors. The governor got three votes more than he needed.

Foster, who sat in the Senate talking with senators during debate, got part of his muscle from teachers, who have threatened a statewide walkout without a large pay raise.

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