Legislator says ‘fiscal hawks’ set to roll out budget proposals

Rep. Brett Geymann, a leading “fiscal hawk” in the state, says he was following up a luncheon hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge today with a meeting with Gov. Bobby Jindal. Geymann, R-Lake Charles, says he’s confident the budget reform ideas he supports at least will get a committee hearing. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue this year,” he says. Geymann is one of several so-called fiscal hawks who addressed the luncheon today, which was focused on the state budget. They say their proposals will be made public by next week, and contend the state’s dedicated funds should be scrutinized when spending must be cut, so the entire burden doesn’t fall on health care and higher education. “We can do it now,” Geymann says. “We don’t do that because it’s all mixed into House Bill 1 (the omnibus spending bill). People think it’s off the table.” The legislators don’t plan to propose any constitutional changes, and don’t want to tamper with fees dedicated to specific funds, only with dedications that go into the general fund. Geymann says the legislators are willing to risk political pushback from the Jindal administration, in the form of lost projects or committee assignments. Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, told the chamber audience he’s hoping for a “groundswell of support.” “The difference this year is, we’re enlisting the help of you guys: the taxpayers,” he says. —David Jacobs