Although much of the focus on the legislature in the past week has been the legislative pay raise, the Louisiana legislature forwarded its almost $30 billion dollar spending plan to Governor Jindal which includes new spending for education, health and earmarks.
HB1 by Representative Fannin, D-Jonesboro was sent to Governor Jindal which will grow Louisiana government spending by approximately one billion dollars but falls below the constitutional spending cap.
There were some winners.The Department of Health and Hospitals grows by $747 million next year, higher education increases by $61 million and teachers get a $1,019 and school workers get an increase of %1000.Of the nearly 30 billion, approximately 14 billion will come from the federal government down from 19 billion due to decreases in federal disaster money.
In additional, there are separate bills sent to Governor Jindal which includes money for the Saints and Hornets, various construction projects, $68.9 million to run the House, Senate, legislative auditor and other government offices.
Bill 1174, spends $146.4 million for the state judiciary, HB 926, includes the $307 million involves an economic development "megafund" to attract large such as the failed German steel mill.One of the more contentious issues deals with the pay for Economic Development Secretary, Stephen Moret who was recruited from the Baton Rouge Area Chamber.Moret is expected to receive the $320,000 salary requested although he was scheduled to receive much more from the Chamber this year although he will make approximately 75 thousand more than Mike Olivier who previously headed the department.
Related bills are HB 2, HB 926, HB 1287, and HB 1294.
The budget is a growth of 13 percent when you factor money coming from the state funds and eliminate billions from Katrina rebuild.
Jindal has the power of the line-item veto. The session ends Monday.
>>>>>>>>>>>>down from 19 billion due to decreases in federal disaster money.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Written by Hmmmmm,,,, Imagine That!!!!!
on 6/23/2008
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