Jonesboro Rep. Jim Fannin says he won’t support the pay increase for State Police when Col Mike Edmonson makes the request today before the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. Fannin says lawmakers have bigger fish to fry right now than pay raises…

cut 4 (08) “to deal with”

Fannin says with so many other state agencies cutting budgets in the mid-year, it wouldn’t be a good time to give troopers such a big increase.

The major candidates in the Governor’s race will get together for the first time today in a forum that will address transportation and infrastructure issues. The event is sponsored in part by The Louisiana Associated General Contractors and CEO Ken Naquin says all of the candidates agree that improving airports and roadways is important…

cut 10 (07) “central discussion”

US-Senator David Vitter, Public Service Commission Scott Angelle, Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and state Representative John Bel Edwards are expected to attend the two-hour forum in Baton Rouge this morning.

State Senate President John Alario says forthcoming budget cuts to higher education would be disastrous to institutions across the state. The Jindal administration has discussed a potential $200 to $300 million cut to higher education. But Alario says he’s heard it could be as high as $380 million which would be devastating…

cut 7 (13) “that higher education”

The state has projected a $1.4 billion budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, and that number could rise due to falling oil prices. It’s expected that higher ed will take the brunt in efforts to try to balance the budget.