HOUSE PASSES HB1 - The Louisiana Legislature has sent a budget bill to Gov. John Bel Edwards that nearly no one believes is adequate to fund state services in the coming year. Lawmakers passed House Bill 1 yesterday, a week after the Senate, reluctantly, advanced the same spending plan that would deeply cut higher education, child welfare, and nearly all state government…. except health care.
Governor Edwards had this to say after the house approved the bill. "I will take action, as necessary to make sure that House Bill 1, as it's currently drafted, does not control our appropriations for next fiscal year."
The House agreed 61-37 to send House Bill 1 to Edwards' desk yesterday , a week after the Senate reluctantly advanced the same spending plan that would deeply cut higher education, and nearly all state government except health care. At a press conference after the vote, Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry (R-Metairie) says passing a budget provides a framework for the upcoming special session by
highlighting the areas that still need funding. He said "We have a general idea now, actually, a specific idea of the areas that are short, specifically higher ed at $96 million, TOPS at $88 million,"
House Democratic leader Rep. Robert Johnson (D-Marksville) says the other issue made clear is the revenue problem facing the state. "We have a real problem, but we will not solve a real problem with pretend budgets, with pretend solutions,"
That was Rep. Johnson on the House floor, urging members not to vote for the budget. While many say HB-1 gives lawmakers a guide to show where money is needed; GOP lawmakers in the House haven't disclosed how much revenue they're willing to raise. Come July 1st about $650 million in temporary sales taxes expire. The Special session to address the shortfall convenes Tuesday.
