Votes will come Wednesday in the House Ways and Means Committee on different sales tax bills. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard’s proposal would renew a half-cent of an expiring one-cent sales tax and generate 507-million dollars in revenues, which would be enough money to prevent cuts to college campuses, TOPS and public safety programs. Some Republicans prefer to renew less than a half of a penny, but Havard says it doesn’t make sense to raise taxes and also cut the budget at the same time…
cut 13 (05) “….at us”
Meanwhile, House Appropriations Committee heard from state health department officials on Tuesday. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says their budget has grown 56-percent over a ten-year period…..
cut 14 (05) “…control this”
The state health department is not slated for any cuts next fiscal year.

LSU Student Government will host a rally at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon to call for full funding of TOPS and higher education. If lawmakers do not act before the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, then students will face a 30% cut to TOPS and a $21 million dollar reduction in funding for LSU. LSU Student Government President Stewart Lockett says they want to give students a voice about their future.
Cut 10 (09) “…as a whole”
Lockett says their message for lawmakers is simple and that is to stabilize higher education and TOPS. All public university systems are looped into this rally and the turnout is expected to be high.
Cut 12 (12) “…different stories”
To learn more about potential cuts to TOPS and higher ed, visit www.lsu.edu/budget.