Mixed emotions for local lawmakers as session closes

Published 12:38 pm Thursday, March 10, 2016

By American Press Staff

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">BATON ROUGE — As the special legislative session drew to a close Wednesday, state lawmakers from Southwest Louisiana said they were pleased that most of the $900 million budget gap for this fiscal year was reduced. But they expressed disappointment about the shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, ranging from $500 million to $800 million.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“I’m still incredibly concerned that we did not close next year’s budget deficit to the degree that we need to,” said Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Sulphur.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">At the end of the nearly monthlong special session, an estimated $30 million deficit remains for the fiscal year ending June 30.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“It could have been a lot worse,” said Rep. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, of the budget gap. “The positive is that it was not the doomsday scenario and we did cover some education and (health care) dollars.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Three key pieces of legislation were approved in the session’s final minutes. One eliminates tax exemptions on all four pennies of the existing state sales tax for three months. It also removes tax exemptions for manufacturing machinery and equipment purchases on one existing penny for two years after that. Rep. Mike Danahay, D-Sulphur, said that was a difficult decision because it affects major industries in Southwest Louisiana.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">A second measure will increase the state sales tax by one penny, but included some exceptions that are constitutionally protected, along with others like agriculture, manufacturing and equipment. A third bill calls for additional cuts to several state departments.</span>

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<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Some lawmakers said they were disappointed with having to decide on those and other measures at the last minute. Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, called it “disgusting” and “the worst closing” he’s ever seen.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“There are going to have to be some serious discussions between the Senate and the House in the coming weeks to ensure that we’re not asked to vote on such important matters in the closing minutes of a session,” Johns said. “It was not the right way to do it.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Danahay said activity during the end of session “seemed to be a little more chaotic” than usual. “I don’t think it was by design,” he said. “It’s just how the process works.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Johns and Danahay praised fellow lawmakers from Southwest Louisiana for working together on the budget issues. “We stayed strong through the whole thing,” Danahay said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Alario said the Legislature may have to gather for another special session to address the budget problems for the next fiscal year. That would have to occur after the regular session adjourns June 6.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“I can’t promise you coming into that session that it’s going to be any better than it was this time, unless people start to understand the consequences of what’s fixing to happen,” Alario said.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The regular session begins Monday, March 14.</span>

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