Answering the cries for action by conservatives, the state’s budget-drafting House Appropriations Committee voted 14-9 Wednesday to pass a massive package of spending reductions that would be spread across the next four months before the fiscal year ends June 30.
House Bill 122 by committee Chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, outlines $117 million in cuts as lawmakers are also being asked to consider various tax increases.
While it appears the House and Senate both are realizing new revenues, largely in the form of taxes, will need to be combined with spending reductions to balance the state’s budget shortfalls, there’s still somewhat of a struggle brewing.
Republicans in the House want to cut more than Gov. John Bel Edwards and his Democratic administration are willing to give on. With 13 days to go until the special session must adjourn, it’s an important policy balance that no one has been able to achieve.
Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge, told conservatives their cuts were going too deep, especially following a fiscal year that has already seen state spending decreased more than once.
“I encourage you to own the consequences of it,” she said after roughly two hours of testimony from concerned parents of disabled children, education advocates and others. Under the bill, even state aid to public schools would fall off by $44 million.
But with a $940 million budget shortfall this fiscal year and more than $2 billion needed to make the next flush, anti-tax lawmakers refuse to recognize alternatives.
“These are extraordinary times. There’s no question about it,” said House Republican Delegation Chairman Lance Harris of Alexandria. ”There are hard decisions to be made.”
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser voiced opposition to the cuts during the committee’s meeting, and Secretary of State Tom Schedler passionately offered his own advice on how lawmakers should be approaching cost-savings.
As far as those proposed tax increases, the full House is scheduled to vote on them tomorrow.
Jeremy Alford will publish a daily update throughout the legislative special session on Daily Report PM. Alford reports on Louisiana politics at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
