Conservative Priorities Expected to Dominate Louisiana’s Regular Session

One day after Governor Jeff Landry kicked-off the regular legislative session in Baton Rouge - lawmakers are sizing up the challenges ahead and the advantages of a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers, and the governor’s mansion. The lone obstacle to conservative priorities, the veto pen of now former Governor John Bel Edwards, is now history.
Among the items up for consideration is how to make it easier for parents to send their kids to private schools – and fix the state’s insurance market. Molly Ryan with Louisiana Public Radio reports that the regular session in Louisiana is underway, with lawmakers holding legislative committee meetings this week. In the House, lawmakers on the appropriations committee began discussing the state’s budget. They heard testimony from the state’s Department of Health and Department of Children and Family Services. Both asked for a slight increase to help offset a dip in federal funds and support programs. Lawmakers have about $400 million in surplus and excess funds to spend this year. After that’s gone, the state is expected to have a budget shortfall, largely due to a temporary sales tax that’s set to expire in 2025.
Governor Jeff Landry acknowledged the potential deficit at the start of the session and he’s asked lawmakers and state agencies to exercise prudence with their spending and look for ways to save money. Lawmakers have to pass a budget before the session ends on June 3, 2024.