Lawmakers have until 6pm tomorrow to come up with solutions to the massive current year budget deficit, and even bigger shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The debate still hinges on whether more cuts need to be made or revenue raised. Higher Education Commissioner Joseph Rallo says threats to higher education is hurting enrollment at LSU…:
CUT 9 (08) “out there”
House Republicans kept rejecting tax measures late last night, but did pass a bill that would lower tax cuts that businesses get for utility expenses. A three-year sunset was put on Monroe Representative Jay Morris’ legislation..:
Cut 17 (10) on it”
The House convenes at 10 a.m. and the Senate comes in at 3 p.m.

Louisiana is once again bracing for the possibility of severe weather and with it the potential for flooding. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front is slowly moving over the gulf south and this storm is expected to wreak havoc over the South…:
Cut 5 (10) “and tornadoes”
He says the storm will get ramped up tomorrow and into Thursday and advises people to be prepared.

The Mississippi River is rising in South Louisiana again which will lead to twice a week checks of the levees. Ricky Boyett with the Army Corps of Engineers, says the heavy rains this week should not affect the water levels too much. He says the high river isn’t uncommon for this time of year…:
cut 11 (07) “high water season”
He says at this time they don’t anticipate opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway like they had to in January.