Details of Jindal’s budget proposal begin to emerge

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed $25 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is largely unchanged from last year’s budget, closing a projected $900 million shortfall by cutting more than 6,300 state jobs and restructuring various departments. The proposed budget, which is being presented to state lawmakers this morning, spares higher education from further cuts, which answers one of the big questions pertaining to the budget proposal prior to today. The governor’s proposal also calls for major restructurings of the state pension system as well as changes to Medicaid and the departments of corrections and transportation. Read Daily Report PM for further details. —Stephanie Riegel