Governor John Bel Edwards issued his formal call for a special legislative session Friday evening.
The Governor posted the call on his website right before 5 pm. The call, or agenda, includes 36 different options for cutting spending, and raising tax revenue for the state of Louisiana. Lawmakers have to fill a $750 million budget hole by June, and more than $1.9 billion in the next fiscal year, which starts July 1. Next week, those numbers are expected to grow, after a meeting with the Revenue Estimating Conference.
Read the executive order highlighting the “menu” of options for lawmakers.
Governor Edwards says “Leadership demands that we all work together – my administration, legislators and every Louisiana citizen who cares about the future of our state – to stabilize this budget structurally, not only for this year, but for the long-term. I have listened to legislators and have drafted a broad call allowing flexibility to consider both cuts and raising money for the state. Now is the time for legislators to join with me to resolve these problems and to begin filing bills that contain specific and workable solutions for the people of Louisiana, who deserve our very best right now.”
Brand new House Speaker Taylor Barras released a statement shortly after the call went out.
Barras says “The Governor’s call for the Extraordinary Session is reflective of what he’s been presenting over the last several weeks. As expected, it includes a comprehensive list of revenue raising options, primarily with tax changes. While some non-tax items are included, many were anticipating more opportunity to address structural and spending reforms. The House committees are positioned to begin work within the frame of the call and I am certain a number of bills will be filed in the coming week. We look forward to working with the Administration through this process and know our House members are committed to moving forward with responsible solutions.”