Tagged: budget

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's public colleges say they will be forced to make steep cuts next year if state senators agree to the version of the $25 billion budget passed by the House.

The governor's budget office says higher education would take cuts topping $200 million in the new fiscal year that begins July 1, under the House-approved budget.

Senators get their first look Monday at the House budget.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's public colleges are facing cuts of at least $71 million in next year's budget proposal, as it awaits debate on the House floor this week.

Commissioner of Higher Education Jim Purcell said Monday that college leaders will be pushing a bill to allow the schools to raise fees on students to cover the gap.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The House budget-writing committee is unveiling its plans Tuesday for filling a $211 million deficit this year, after working behind the scenes with the governor's office on ideas for plugging the gap.

The Appropriations Committee also is expected to rework next year's $25 billion budget proposal to account for a more than $300 million drop in projected state revenue in the new year that begins July 1.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Lawmakers are weighing whether to use Louisiana's "rainy day" fund to fill a $211 million gap in this year's budget.

House Speaker Chuck Kleckley said Thursday that the state could get $215 million from the fund, if two-thirds of the House and Senate agree. He says he's willing to look at using the money because he's worried that higher education and health care would face deep cuts otherwise that could damage services.

The state's forecasting panel downgraded income projections this week.