DOOMSDAY BUDGET? About $1 billion will be cut from Gov. John Bel Edwards' worst-case scenario state budget proposal, assuming La. lawmakers refuse to replace expiring sales taxes, forcing widespread slashing across state government; the brunt of which to bear will be on healthcare and higher education. The democrat governor met with Louisiana house leadership last Friday to get some idea of what the Republicans have to propose. Afterwards he took time to speak with public radio WRKF in Baton Rouge. "It will be premised upon give-or-take a billion dollars less next year than this year. And those cuts are horrific." The governor's budget proposal is expected to reflect the loss of more than a billion dollars when the one-cent sales tax expires June 30th. Many capitol insiders are calling this "the Doomsday budget", as it is expected to include at least an 80% cut to the TOPS tuition program as well as cuts to the public-private partnership hospitals. Edwards explained that people should not be surprised given the history of what's been going on the past two years. “You’re only shocked if you weren’t paying attention two years ago, because we’re right back to where we were then,” the
governor says, referring to the depth of cuts necessitated by the revenue drop-off. “But I suspect that there are some folks with short-term memory loss.” Edwards made these comments after he had come from a meeting with the Louisiana state house leadership and although he tried to remain his usual upbeat self; still -- his frustration was evident. "We had a very pleasant conversation," he said of the earlier meeting. "There was a shared sense that this needs to be done, and it needs to be done in February. But, you know, they didn’t put a plan on the table, so I don’t know how we get there if they don’t
negotiate." Governor Edwards has warned his budget proposal would be devastating to Louisiana residents. He presents it to the state legislature's joint budget committee later today. Governor Edwards has warned his budget proposal would be devastating to Louisiana residents. He presents it to the state legislatures joint budget committee later Monday.