There’s been a lengthy discussion on the House floor today over how much to cut from the budget versus dipping into the state’s rainy day fund to address a 304-million dollar midyear shortfall. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the state is spending more than it receives in tax revenues, which is why he prefers cutting the budget, before using one-time money to pay for recurring expenses..
cut 9 (09) “…look at”
Democratic New Orleans Representative Walt Leger supports using 119-million dollars from the rainy day fund to prevent deep cuts to the department of health…
cut 6 (06) “…the budget’
The senate finance committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the House’s budget deficit elimination plan. The special session must end Wednesday night.

Troy Brown has resigned from the state senate ahead of a second hearing on his expulsion. He was under fire from the body due to domestic violence convictions. Brown said he wanted to spare the Senate from having to go through this process which is one reason he stepped down…:
Cut 16 (09) “further embarrassment”
A special election will be called in Brown’s district to replace him.

Federal officials approve the state’s plan to use 438-million dollars to help some four-thousand residents rebuild from the March and August floods. But over 100-thousand homes were damaged and Julie Baxter Payer, with the governor’s office, says the state is awaiting federal approval to spend another one-point-two-billion dollars that was approved by Congress….
cut 5 (12) “…that are allowed”