Conservative House lawmakers who have been at odds with Gov. Bobby Jindal over budgeting tactics are proposing to rewrite the laws governing how the state estimates and spends its money and how the annual budget is crafted. The package of bills unveiled by the mainly Republican group, calling itself the Budget Reform Coalition, would limit the funding sources lawmakers and the governor could use to pay for ongoing programs and services. It also would set up a detailed timeline for handling the budget so that lawmakers couldn’t pull it together in the final hours of a legislative session. Many of the measures would rewrite constitutional provisions, making them tougher to pass in the legislative session that begins in April. Constitutional amendments require a two-thirds vote of lawmakers and support from voters at a statewide election. Jindal hasn’t said whether he’ll support the proposals. His spokesman, Sean Lansing, says the Republican governor will consider the legislation, adding that the administration has had “good discussions” with budget coalition leaders. However, Jindal has previously said changes proposed by House conservatives would force deeper cuts to critical services, a position echoed by Senate leaders, whose support would be needed to make any changes to the budget process. The Budget Reform Coalition has posted its complete draft package of reform proposals on its website here. Read the full story from The Associated Press here.
Today’s poll question: Do you believe that laws governing how Louisiana estimates and spends its money, and prepares its budget each year, need to be refined?
