Statehood bicentennial bash running under budget

The chief fundraiser for the yearlong series of events marking Louisiana’s 200th anniversary as a state says the celebration is running under budget so far. Randy Haynie, a Baton Rouge lobbyist who chairs the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission’s finance committee, says that he currently expects $1,050,000 in revenue and anticipates $889,000 in expenses. He says not all events are planned yet, and one of those still in the works is a ball and parade in New Orleans in early August. Haynie says just under $528,000 has been spent thus far of $643,394 raised. Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne’s office, the agency overseeing tourism, is using $100,000 of tourism money received from the Deepwater Horizon-BP oil spill compensation fund to pay for some of the costs. “(We’re) on time and under budget,” Haynie told members of the bicentennial commission at a recent meeting, and further asked them to use their contacts to help raise money or get in-kind services for events donated at low or no cost. The yearlong celebration of Louisiana’s statehood bicentennial runs through December. It will include official ceremonies during a joint session of the Legislature on April 30, the anniversary date of statehood, and the issuance of a commemorative stamp by the U.S. Postal Service. For more information, visit the bicentennial website here.