The governor’s financial plan for the budget year that begins July 1st was unveiled today. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Department of Transportation is facing a reduction in funding, which adds to state’s inability to repair roads…:
Cut 8 (10) “bridge needs”
Also under the plan, TOPS is not fully funded and state employee merit raises are eliminated which are other priorities for the governor when they address the budget.

Speaking after the special session ended hours before the deadline, Governor John Bel Edwards said he’s satisfied. Lawmakers approved $99 million in rainy day funds, and made cuts to agencies, mainly the Department of Health. Edwards says some critical services were spared:
CUT 14 (11) “services”

US Senator Bill Cassidy is the latest Republican in Congress to be ambushed by protesters during a town hall meeting. It happened in Metairie on Wednesday. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the GOP likely won’t make changes the protesters want, but it could happen with enough uprising…:
cut 4 (09) “to this”
He expects this type of activism to be part of a new pattern over the next few years.

LSU Health Shreveport will launch a Pediatric Chronic Ventilator Clinic in April to allow care for children. Director of the unit, Dr. Keith Scott says currently families are required to travel 300 miles for a one-hour visit to get their child proper care. He says the new clinic will be more convenient for patients…:
cut 11 (10) “healthcare needs”
Scott says there are no other facilities north Louisiana like this.