COMPROMISE REACHED? Louisiana’s second special legislative session of 2017 officially came to an end Friday delivering a budget marginally different than the one proposed by the Senate during the regular session. Many – including Governor John Bel Edwards – were wondering whether the special session had truly been necessary. The Louisiana Legislature’s final budget fully funds the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, higher education avoids a cut, civil service workers get a 2 percent pay raise, psychosocial services continue, and the Acadiana Youth Center WILL open. The ability to fund TOPS at its $300 million projected need and protect state colleges and universities from cuts, was touted as one of the few brightspots in the budget that begins July 1st.
