Special Session to Become Feeding Frenzy?
Many legislators are expecting Christmas early when the special session opens December 8. Election years and budget surpluses have, in the past, combined for money-fueled re-election promises.
"I think it's certainly has to be the possibility of a feeding frenzy,” says Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) President Barry Erwin. “You got $1.6 billion to divvy up for all kinds of different things. I'm sure the legislators are licking their lips.”
Governor Blanco has already outlined her wish list for the budget surplus: read the full story here.
Communities like Baton Rouge have certainly felt the brunt of increased population. Mayor-President Kip Holden is fully aware of the amount of extra cash down the street and he wants his share: “We have a drain on our basic infrastructure from increasing calls to police department and the fire department and EMS so any dollars directed to any of those areas will greatly be appreciated.”
Warden Burl Cain already sounded his alarm a couple of months ago when he called his prison a crisis in the wake of low pay for the guards.
Erwin tells WAFB 9 News there will be much more jockeying for position as the session approaches: “We need to put that money in a box that it is used for the real interests that the constitution requires. We have a surplus too and hopefully will do it in strategic ways these are real investments and not just try to make people happy.”
How should the legislature divvy up the expected surplus?
"I think it's certainly has to be the possibility of a feeding frenzy,” says Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) President Barry Erwin. “You got $1.6 billion to divvy up for all kinds of different things. I'm sure the legislators are licking their lips.”
Governor Blanco has already outlined her wish list for the budget surplus: read the full story here.
Communities like Baton Rouge have certainly felt the brunt of increased population. Mayor-President Kip Holden is fully aware of the amount of extra cash down the street and he wants his share: “We have a drain on our basic infrastructure from increasing calls to police department and the fire department and EMS so any dollars directed to any of those areas will greatly be appreciated.”Warden Burl Cain already sounded his alarm a couple of months ago when he called his prison a crisis in the wake of low pay for the guards.Erwin tells WAFB 9 News there will be much more jockeying for position as the session approaches: “We need to put that money in a box that it is used for the real interests that the constitution requires. We have a surplus too and hopefully will do it in strategic ways these are real investments and not just try to make people happy.”
How should the legislature divvy up the expected surplus?
posted by Joe Rawley at 12:22 AM
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