Louisiana House Speaker Jim Tucker predicts a tough legislative session that’s going to require some hard budget choices if Louisiana wants to avoid a budgetary “Bataan Death March” through the next three years. Based on current data, the worst-case budget scenario for fiscal year 2011-12 is a nearly $2 billion shortfall, with a “$4 billion problem over the course of the next three years.” Tucker, a Terrytown Republican, concedes the revenue picture could improve in the coming years, but says the worst-case scenario is the safest place to start. “To deal with this in the context of not raising taxes is going to be difficult to say the least,” Tucker says, hastening to add he has no intention of trying to raise taxes.
Tucker cautioned against using one-time federal stimulus money for recurring expenses, arguing the money should be used for one-time expenses such as ports, research grants in higher education and infrastructure improvements that will help lift the state up. The Legislature should grapple with statutory dedications that make much of the budget practically off limits to budget cutting, thus shifting most of the burden to discretionary spending—namely higher education and health care. Tucker says appropriation power should stay with the Legislature and the governor not be handed “carte blanche” to dip into dedicated funds.
Tucker is calling for a commission to research the state’s existing higher education structure because “we do not deliver services efficiently in this state.” Not dealing with the problem now means “we will starve higher education” in coming years,” he says, adding that the state’s retirement system needs to be fixed, too.—Steve Clark
