Despite disagreement over the cost of merging the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans, the most controversial bill of the early legislative session moved closer to a House vote later this week by clearing the House Appropriations Committee today. House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, and the Legislative Fiscal Office pegged the cost of transition at $2.15 million to $3.15 million over two years. Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater says money is set aside in leftover federal hurricane recovery block grants. Yet Tucker and administration officials admitted that unknown factors could push the cost higher but also lower. Aside from questions of higher costs resulting from the proposed merger, Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge, raised the possibility of SUNO’s losing its recognition as a historically black college or university, to which $4 million to $6 million in federal funds is tied. Tucker expressed confidence that SUNO would maintain its HBCU status if it is moved to the University of Louisiana System. The committee, loaded with administration supporters, approved the measure, 17-4.
— In order to help balance next year’s budget, the Jindal administration has called a spending freeze for the remaining 52 days of the current fiscal year. Appropriations Chairman Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, says he asked for the freeze and that the governor has issued the order. Fannin stressed that the freeze would not affect any emergency funds needed to respond to potential river flooding.
(John Maginnis will publish a daily update on the legislative session at 3 p.m., available to LaPolitics Weekly subscribers on the Subscribers Only page at LaPolitics.com. You can register your user name and password on the Lapolitics home page.)
