Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing roughly $160 million dollars in cuts as part of his plan to fix the state’s budget deficit. Republican Representative Cameron Henry of Metairie says with a $957 million dollar shortfall legislators have to consider more ways to manage spending…:
Henry says GOP lawmakers will look at every way they can make cuts before anyone agrees to raise taxes.
State Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson spoke to the House Ways and Means Committee about a proposed 1-cent state sales tax increase. The current state sales tax is 4%. Robinson says even with the proposed tax increase, the amount of taxes Louisiana citizens pay, is below average when compared to other states….
The tax increase, which would take effect by April 1, would generate an estimated $200 million for this fiscal year.
A published report says Nicholls State is considering a 12 day closure due to a lack of state funds. But Nicholls president, Doctor Bruce Murphy, says closing the campus for several days is the last option they would ever take. University of Louisiana System president, Doctor Dan Reneau, encouraged the Senate education committee to do what they can to keep college campuses open…
Lawmakers have until March ninth to come up with a funding solution that would spare higher education from deep budget cuts.
Former state lawmaker Troy Hebert provided other suggestions on how to control government spending in a letter to lawmakers. Hebert recommends putting GPS devices on state vehicles and requiring state employees, including college professors, to be on a time clock while at work.
Hebert’s other suggestions include tying pay to performance and monitoring civil service actions and settlements.