The House narrowly passed a budget that would fund TOPS at 80% and maintain higher ed funding, but would implement deep cuts in healthcare funding, potentially ending public-private partnership hospitals that care for the poor. House Appropriations Chairman Republican Cameron Henry says the state cannot afford to maintain its current healthcare spending.
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But House Democratic Chairman Robert Johnson went after legislators who voted yay on the proposed budget in an impassioned speech.
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The proposed spending plan goes to the Senate Finance Committee who will meet Sunday. It’s possible the Senate may not even vote on a budget, and wait on a special session.
House GOP Chairman Lance Harris says the budget is the best they could do with the funds they have available.
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House Democrats nearly unanimously voted against the budget. New Orleans Representative Garry Carter says if passed, the spending plan would kill people.
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And Governor John Bel Edwards has announced that if the spending plan reaches his desk, he will not sign it
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Reports indicate that legislators are now planning on beginning a special session mid-May.