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Gov Edwards Calls State Budget Cuts "Horrific"

Courtesy: TWILA

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 

Credit Courtesy: The Advocate
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Courtesy: The Advocate
Governor John Bel Edwards (D) Louisiana

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 

Credit Courtesy: Times-Picayune
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Courtesy: Times-Picayune
La. House Leaders - Cameron Henry (R) New Orleans (left) and House Speaker Taylor Barras (R) New Iberia

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.

Chuck Smith brings more than 30 years' broadcast and media experience to Red River Radio. He began his career as a radio news reporter and transitioned to television journalism and newsmagazine production. Chuck studied mass communications at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and motion picture / television production at the University of California at Los Angeles. He has also taught writing for television at York Technical College in Rock Hill, South Carolina and video / film production at Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport.