state budget 2013

Some Senators Puzzled by Tax Amnesty Solution

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:25:23 +0000

In the Finance committee Thursday Senators questioned the way the House filled the hole it dug in the proposed budget for next year. The House took out one-time money, from selling state property, court settlements, and dedicated funds, and put in a tax amnesty program.

The Legislative Fiscal Office usually considers tax amnesty revenues to be one-time money too.

FRIDAY: Blogger C.B. Forgotston, TV Legend Donna Douglas, Seafood Spokesman Ewell Smith And More

Jim Engster — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:57:52 +0000

Government watchdog and political blogger C.B. Forgotston talks with Jim about the battle over the state budget and other going on at the Capitol.

Donna Douglas, TV's Ellie Mae, from "The Beverly Hillbillies" pays a visit to talk about her new cookbook, "Southern Favorites With A Taste Of Hollywood"

Ewell Smith, with the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, discusses legislation that would turn oversight of his industry over to the Lt. Governor's Office.

Gwen Jones and Jodi Hanet, with the Kid's Orchestra of Baton Rouge pop in to talk about Saturday's concert at the Christian Life Fellowship.

Legislators Arrive at New Budget Compromise

Kelly Connelly — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:33:50 +0000

Legislators from across the political spectrum stood on the Capitol steps Thursday afternoon touting their independence and a seeming conclusion to budget negotiations.

Medicaid Expansion Clears House Committee

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:18:32 +0000

With a one-vote margin, a bill that would force Louisiana to accept federal Medicaid Expansion advanced through the House Health and Welfare Committee Wednesday.

Governor Bobby Jindal has opposed the Expansion, claiming it would be too expensive and that the federal program doesn’t meet Louisiana’s needs.

WEDNESDAY: LDOR's Douglas Baker, Cancer Survivor Brenda Elsagher

Jim Engster — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:34:30 +0000

Comedienne, author and colorectal cancer survivor Brenda Elsagher, who'll speak tonight at the Pennington Center.

Jim talks with Douglas Baker, from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, about the schism between lawmakers and the Governor over use of one-time money to balance the state budget, and recent legislation to reduce tax breaks for businesses to make up that imbalance.

New Orleans area bankruptcy lawyer Bill Cherbonnier, who is opposed to House Bill 567, by Baton Rouge Rep. Erich Ponti. It would repeal the state's ban on for-profit debt adjusters.

Lawmakers Assert Independence on Budget

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:22:45 +0000

The legislature’s bipartisan budget negotiations have yielded a late-night preliminary deal, struck after the legislature closed up shop on Monday. The plan will cut tax exemptions and reduce spending to curb the state's dependency on one-time funds.

The deal includes cutting tax exemptions by 15 percent across the board. That will free up $329 million, enough to replace a large chunk of the half a billion in one-time funds in next year’s budget.

Budget Cuts Take Toll on Higher Ed

Kelly Connelly — Mon, 06 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

After five years of steep budget cuts, some members of LSUnited, the faculty union, are hoping the legislature’s budget negotiations will raise enough revenue to prevent further cuts.
Lawmakers are looking at plans to cut tax exemptions and get rid of one-time funds, which might provide more stability to the state’s universities.
Michael Russo, a librarian and an instructor, said LSU’s finances are dismal.
"A half billion here, a half billion there," Russo said, "I don’t know what else they can cut."

Bipartisan Budget Deal in the Works

Kelly Connelly — Thu, 02 May 2013 21:03:44 +0000

Thursday House Speaker Chuck Kleckley endorsed a plan that would raise revenue and cut spending.
Earlier this week, the budget was on track to avoid much debate on the floor, but it hit a snag on Tuesday.

One-time Funds Nixed from Budget, Temporarily

Kelly Connelly — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The House Appropriations Committee again called into question the way the Jindal Administration crafts the state’s budget.

On Monday the committee passed the budget bill and the funds bill, which allows for interagency transfers, the primary source of one-time funds.

Food Banks Appeal for State Funding

Jarondakie Patrick — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:58:09 +0000

The Louisiana Food Bank Association is asking lawmakers for $5 million dollars in state funds to assist with the purchase of food from farmers, fishermen, and vendors. Food banks have hit a wall with many grocers finding more efficient ways to keep food fresher longer and giving away less of their inventory.
The $5 million dollars would buy more than 2 million pounds of food. Historically the association has received state funding, but didn’t receive any funding for food last year.