The House of Representatives was quiet Tuesday as members are taking as one lawmaker termed it, a “mental health day” off. Fingers have been pointing all over the capitol in explanation of why the budget crunch cannot be fixed. Baton Rouge Black Caucus member Ted James says his caucus will not cow-down to pressure of putting a financial burden on the poor by passing a sales tax bill…
Jonesboro Republican Jack McFarland says a day off was necessary so all sides can take a deep breath as the deadline to pass revenue generating bills to close a billion dollar deficit is a week away…
Cut 7 (09) “some more compromise”
The House is set to reconvene at 10am Wednesday.
It’s unclear if legislators will find a solution to a looming one billion dollar budget deficit before the special session ends next Wednesday March 7th. Governor John Bel Edwards is meeting with legislative leadership and remains optimistic a deal can be struck
When the regular session starts on the following Monday, March 12th, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hopes to have a bill submitted that would consolidate the amount of licenses they issue from 117 to 30. Under the proposal, some fees would go up, including the regular hunting and fishing licenses for Louisiana residents. Cole Garett, Executive Counsel for the LDWF, says the increase will help them get more money from other sources…
Cut 30 (06) “tax money.”
If approved by the Legislature, the increases would go into effect in 2019.