It doesn’t seem like lawmakers and the governor are any closer to negotiating a budget agreement, even after the worst-case-scenario plan was unveiled a week ago. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Governor is ready to move forward to address a $1 billion budget gap that looms on July 1, but Republican legislators have yet to present a plan:
Cut 17 (12) “we’ll cut”
The GOP feels the governor isn’t interested in negotiating, but instead trying to push passing replacement taxes only.

The Internal Revenue Service says the nation’s tax filing season begins today. The deadline will be April 17th this year, because April 15 falls on a Sunday and Emancipation Day which D.C. will observe that Monday.  The Louisiana Department of Revenue will also begin accepting returns today.

The Trump administration says they will speed up the approval of a key coastal restoration project. The agreement would reduce the permitting process for the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion from five years to two. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick…:
Cut 11 (06) “for us”
The state intends to pay for much of the project using funds it received from BP after the 2010 oil spill.

UL-Lafayette has been named one of the Top 25 in U.S. News and World Report’s list of, “Universities and Colleges Where Students are Eager to Enroll.” Dr. DeWayne Bowie, vice president for Enrollment Management, says the ranking is a testament, not only to academic offerings..:
Cut 8 (08) “second to none”
UL-Lafayette was the only school in Louisiana named to the list.