Lawmakers are close to reaching a budget agreement, as the Senate Finance Committee approves the spending plan for next fiscal year just one day after House approval. The bill allocates one hundred percent of the available dollars, but instructs the administration to hold back $60 million in case of a shortfall. Jackson Representative Kenny Havard says no one got exactly what they wanted.

Cut 6 (07) “a shortfall”

House Republicans proposed withholding more money, while the Senate pushed to spend it all. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says while it isn’t perfect, this was the best compromise they could reach.

Cut 7 (10) “to do”

If the full Senate approves the plan tomorrow, it could be on the governor’s desk before the weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs 10 criminal justice reform bills into law in the hopes of reducing the state’s prison population by 10 percent in 10 years. Edwards says Louisiana could finally lose the title of incarceration capital of the world.

Cut 14 (08) “something better”

The measures are designed to expand parole eligibility and reduce sentences for nonviolent offenders.

There’s still a lot of concern at the State Capitol about former state lawmaker and current US House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who continues to recover from a gunshot wound to the hip. President Donald Trump says the Jefferson Parish congressman remains in critical condition.

Cut 10 (11) “of the way”

Scalise was one of five people wounded in a shootout at a Virginia ball park during practice for a charity baseball game.