Practically everyone, from teachers to doctors, are watching the ongoing regular session closely to see what kind of money emerges from the budget process, especially as lawmakers tangle with a $1.3 billion deficit. For supporters of the proposed Baton Rouge loop system meant to get traffic off Interstates 10 and 12, the watching is creating high anxiety. There’s $15 million on the line for the second phase of an environmental engineering study.
Rannah Gray, a spokeswoman for the loop project, says this phase is needed to get into the details of construction and will account for wetlands, churches, homes and schools and will eventually lead to a number of public hearings. While there haven’t been any signs that the money is in danger, Gray, like other Capitol observers, is still cautious. “It will hurt the project greatly if the funding doesn’t materialize,” she says. “Any delay could increase construction costs and push us back in the process.”—Jeremy Alford
