WORST CASE SCENARIO - Republican lawmakers are pushing back against suggestions they need to replace the entire $1 billion dollars in expiring sales taxes to keep from enacting devastating cuts across Louisiana's state budget. The comments came Monday as Gov. John Bel Edwards presented his worst-case scenario budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year to lawmakers. "I want to make it very clear from the outset, that the budget proposal we are about to present to you this morning is not one that I'm excited about," explained Edwards during his opening remarks before the committee. As per the Louisiana state constitution, the governor is required by law to present a balanced budget proposal. Governor Edward's budget reflects a cut of just under one-billion dollars, the same amount that is expected to disappear from state revenues once the one-cent sales tax expires after June 30th. "That is the fiscal cliff" said Edwards. "We have approximately $3.4 billion dollars from the state general fund that can actually be cut." The brunt of the cuts outlines come from the TOPS tuition program and $233 million (cut by 80%), and $657 million in state funds to healthcare including public-private hospitals and care for the elderly and disabled. Says Edwards "These are the cuts that have to be made when a billion dollars is about to roll off the books and has yet to be replaced."Some Republican members of the Legislative Joint Budget Committee commented that more cuts still could be addressed in other areas. But the governor urged lawmakers to work together on plans to replace lost revenue during a special session which may occur next month.
Copyright 2018 Red River Radio
