In Louisiana’s $27 billion budget, what’s a $293 cut?

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Louisiana state Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell, watching Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, move a resolution through the Finance Committee on Feb. 14, 2017, complained that broad-brush approaches to cutting spending do not shrink government or make it more efficient. Photo by Sarah Gamard.

By Sarah Gamard

Budget reductions large and small hit a number of state agencies during the Louisiana Legislature’s nine-day special session that ended Wednesday (Feb. 22). Lawmakers erased the $304 million midyear deficit, in a $27 billion annual operating budget, by having some offices “contribute” millions of dollars to the cause.

Most of the cuts were accompanied by the grinding of clenched teeth. Then there was the $293 cut to the Department of Transportation and Development’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Fund.

Read the story at NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune

 

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