Governor John Bel Edwards made his case to a joint session of the state legislature to raise millions of dollars in additional taxes so Louisiana can avoid cuts health care services and education programs, like TOPS. Edwards says the budget is in bad shape and the situation needs to be addressed now….
cut 6 (12) “…afford to wait”
The governor is giving lawmakers several different options to address the shortfall. They include higher taxes on middle and upper income taxpayers and reducing tax breaks for businesses….
cut 7 (10) “…overall”
Many lawmakers have said they are not in favor of additional taxes, after approving a series of hikes in a special session earlier this year.

Because it wasn’t done in the regular session, legislators will be asked to approve a four-billion dollar budget bill that finances construction projects around the state. Ways and Means Chairman Neil Abramson says he didn’t bring the construction budget bill up for a vote in the regular season, because the senate made changes to the measure that brought upon technical and legal concerns. Several state senators were upset the House didn’t vote on the proposal, including Metairie Senator Danny Martiny…
cut 5 (07) “….we do”
A new version of the construction budget bill has begun to move in the special session as the House Ways and Means committee approved one without objection, sending it to the full House.

The Senate and House education committees have agreed to revisions to the Common Core education standards. A 26-member review panel recommended changing 21-percent of English and math standards used in public schools and now Governor Edwards will decide whether they should be implemented in the classroom.