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The Times: Analysis: Hunt is on in to cut Louisiana costs without pain
At the Louisiana Capitol an urgent scramble is under way, with the governor, lawmakers and other state officials desperately searching for that elusive item in state government operations: savings.
With budget problems threatening programs and taxes off the table, the hunt is on for ways to cut state costs without damaging critical services.
Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration is cutting contracts and shrinking staff. Secretary of State Tom Schedler is proposing to shed some of the small, local museums he can no longer afford to operate. And lawmakers are seeking to add new hurdles for pay raises, trim costs on state leases and chip away spending in other areas.
Even after lawmakers approved more $1.2 billion in taxes for next year in a special legislative session, Louisiana is short $750 million of what is needed to continue all existing programs and services in the budget year that begins July 1.
Edwards, a Democrat, is warning of deep and harmful cuts to colleges, health care services and many other programs.