Lawmakers have until Wednesday night to close a massive budget shortfall. Jeff Palermo gets an update from the governor….
voicer 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The chairman of the House Approrpriations Committee, Cameron Henry, told nola-dot-com that there’s no reason for any more tax bills to be passed by the House. The republican from Jefferson Parish says the House has already approved enough legislation to address the 900-million dollar deficit this current budget year.

The legislature is trying to come up with a funding plan that will prevent significant cuts to public colleges. Higher ed Commissioner Joe Rallo says the talk of budget cuts is already having an impact, as professors are leaving Louisiana universities, and prospective educators are deciding to go elsewhere. He says if lawmakers fail to find funds, big cuts are coming…
cut 28 (09) “…in TOPS”
Higher ed leaders have been seen at the Capitol speaking with legislators.

Colfax Representative Terry Brown has filed legislation for the regular session that would require the governor to look over Louisiana’s contracts with the Saints and Pelicans and allow him to renegotiate to reduce state subsidies. Brown says in these tough budget times, state-funding for professional sports teams should be reduced…:
cut 30 (10) “water districts”
Brown says since 2002 the Saints and Pelicans have received about 369 million dollars from the state.