Two Jefferson Parish lawmakers have lodged a legal challenge against the state's budget, asking a judge to declare its financing a violation of Louisiana's Constitution.
Reps. Kirk Talbot and Cameron Henry, both Republicans, filed the lawsuit Tuesday in state district court in Baton Rouge.
The lawsuit is part of continuing criticism from conservative House Republicans about GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal's budgeting tactics, specifically his use of one-time, patchwork funding to pay for ongoing programs and services.
The lawsuit says the budget is unconstitutional because it spends more than the amount recognized by the state's income estimating panel. It also says the budget violates constitutional limits on spending money deemed "nonrecurring."
Named as defendants in the lawsuit are the state, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and Treasurer John Kennedy.