budget cuts
LA governor hopes to reverse some budget cuts
Gov. Jindal's administration attempted to persuade senators to reverse a series of budget cuts, indicating that the cuts would have dire consequences for LA. Jindal wants the Senate Finance Committee to restore more than $200 million in state spending to the 2011-12 budget. Full article.
House debate over budget stalls
The
Louisiana House stalemated over next year's $25 billion budget.Lawmakers rejected the use
of the one-time spending -- but then also rebuffed proposed cuts to the state health
department. Full
article.
Jindal's newest proposal would shut four CENLA prisons
A
revised proposal from Governor Jindal would close four Central Louisiana prisons. Under
the new plan, Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport and the J. Levy Dabadie
Correctional Center in Pineville, would closed, as would the privately run Allen and Winn
correctional centers. Full
article.
LED Secretary Stephen Moret Re: House Appropriations Committee Amendments Cutting $81.8 Million of existing Mega-Projects Funds
Louisiana
Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret issued the following statement on the impact
of the proposed cut to the Mega-Project Development Fund: "…Thanks to policy reforms
implemented by Gov. Jindal and the Louisiana Legislature over the last few years, we now
have the strongest pipeline of mega projects that our state has ever had. Louisiana has
been selected as a finalist state for 14 high-potential mega-projects, most of which will
select a final site in the next two to four months. Collectively, these projects could
produce more than 9,000 direct jobs and 16,500 indirect jobs, for a total potential job
impact of roughly 25,500 new jobs in Louisiana. The companies involved are considering
sites in virtually every region of Louisiana, including Lafayette, Shreveport/Bossier,
Monroe, Alexandria, Southwest Louisiana, Baton Rouge and the New Orleans area…”
Read entire statement
Mayor Roy offers city budget compromise
Alexandria
Mayor Jacques Roy recently presented what he calls the "perfect compromise" to balance
Alexandria’s 2011-12 budget. Roy spoke during the Finance Committee meeting about fee
increases for the zoo, transit system, garbage pickup and stormwater management program.
Full article.
City Budget calls for furloughs, higher insurance premiums
Mayor
Roy recently indicated that a decline in projected sales tax revenues and increased
unfunded state mandates created a shortfall of more than $7 million. The revised budget
calls for every classified city employee is expected to take 32 hours in furlough time, or
the equivalent of one day, each quarter, and employee contributions to health insurance
will more than double. Full
article.
City Budget calls for furloughs, higher insurance premiums
Mayor
Roy recently indicated that a decline in projected sales tax revenues and increased
unfunded state mandates created a shortfall of more than $7 million. The revised budget
calls for every classified city employee is expected to take 32 hours in furlough time, or
the equivalent of one day, each quarter, and employee contributions to health insurance
will more than double. Full
article.
Alexandria budget discussions continue
The
Alexandria City Council's Finance Committee, Mayor Roy and council members met for the
fourth and final budget meeting to discuss the city's proposed budget for 2011-12. Mayor
Roy also stressed the importance of maintaining the city's more than $12 million surplus,
despite the 2011-12 budget requiring 32-hour furloughs for all of the city's classified
employees. Full
article.
Budget 'talks' proceed in Alexandria
Mayor
Jacques M. Roy presented council members with two versions of the operating budget, and
Council members, meeting as the Finance Committee, recently met to start reviewing them. A
second meeting is set for 3 p.m. April 4th and a public hearing is scheduled for the April
5 council meeting. The budget must be passed before May 1, the start of the city's fiscal
year. Full
article.
Rapides School Board votes to close L.E.A.D. Center
The
Rapides Parish School Board recently voted to cut more than $7 million from its budget to
make up for a projected shortfall. The largest chunk came from eliminating about 60
positions by holding schools close to their allotment of staff. The second-largest cut
comes from closing the L.E.A.D. Center for expelled students, which costs the district
about $1.4 million to operate annually. Full article.
