Proposed cuts target education

Published 12:17 pm Thursday, February 25, 2016

By American Press Staff

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">BATON ROUGE — Legislation approved Wednesday by the House Appropriations Committee that calls for $117 million in cuts is overreaching and would seriously affect education and disability services, according to one Southwest Louisiana lawmaker.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The committee voted 14-9 to approve House Bill 122, by Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie. It heads to the House floor for consideration.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Rep. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, was the only Republican freshman lawmaker to oppose Henry’s bill. Rep. James Armes, D-Leesville, also voted against the bill.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“I thought the cuts went a little bit too far,” Abraham said. “I have to vote what I believe is right.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Abraham said he was prepared to make $40 million to $50 million in cuts. Henry’s legislation contains $87 million more in cuts than the $30 million that Gov. John Bel Edwards proposed.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Edwards had already shaved $60 million to remedy this year’s budget cuts and had recommended another $30 million in reductions and tax increases.</span>

Email newsletter signup

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Henry’s measure included $44 million in new cuts to the Minimum Foundation Program, which funds K-12 education.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Abraham said the legislation will likely have amendments tacked onto it during debate by the full House. “There will be cuts,” he said. “I don’t believe it’ll be $117 million.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Abraham said he understands that the state is in bad financial shape. But he said certain programs have experienced plenty of midyear cuts over the last eight years.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“I know we’re in a budget crunch,” he said. “I think it’s time to balance some of those cuts with additional revenue.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Abraham said residents in his district will likely be “more aggravated” with additional cuts coming down than taxes being raised.</span>””<p>Lawmakers gather on the House floor discussing financial proposals ahead of the House’s tax and budget debate on Thursday in Baton Rouge. (Associated Press)</p>Melinda Deslatte

You Might Like