House panels edge toward budget breakthrough

Posted on February 26, 2018February 26, 2018 by manshipxgr

Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, looks on as the House Ways and Means Committee debates his income tax bill, a critical component to the compromise that advanced negotiations on revenue-raising measures Sunday. (Photo by Sarah Gamard/LSU Manship School News Service)

By Matt Houston and Drew White

As the second week of the 17-day special legislative session begins, House committees on Sunday broke a stalemate, at least temporarily, and approved bills that could help the state avoid major budget cuts when $1 billion of temporary taxes expire this summer.

Several Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee voted with Democrats to move some of the bills to the floor, where they are likely to face another contentious debate.

Read the story in Eunice Today.