In a televised address Governor John Bel Edwards said there is a chance there will be no LSU football next fall unless legislators fix the state’s budget deficit. The state’s budget deficit is $940 million for this fiscal year, and almost $2 billion for the next fiscal year. Political analyst Clancy Dubos says this kind of scare tactic is common among government officials who seek to raise taxes.
CUT 7 (05) “everywhere”

Governor John Bel Edwards says TOPS students won’t get a tuition bill this semester, even with the money troubles the popular taxpayer funded program faces. Edwards says not enough money was appropriated for the TOPS program this year. He says they’re around 28-million dollars short and it will be up to each individual or college to pick up the rest of the costs.
cut 15 (04) “tuition bill”

Edwards says while TOPS students will have their scholarships fully paid for this year, next school year is a different story.

The Americans for Prosperity releases a poll that finds a majority of Louisiana residents oppose Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposals to increase sales and personal income taxes to combat the state’s budget deficit. A-F-P state director Phillip Joffrion says these increases are disrespectful to the people of Louisiana.
CUT 9 (08) “their means”

Joffrion says the sales tax increase would put Louisiana at the highest combined local and state sales tax in the country.

The Governor’s Executive Budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be presented to lawmakers Saturday. The economic forecast estimates next year’s deficit is around $2 billion dollars. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they aren’t going to sugarcoat the facts..:
CUT 3 (06) “completely recovered”