Edwards, GOP legislative leaders continue to cross swords over details of Edwards’ budget plan

By Katie Gagliano and Sarah Gamard

As the window for calling a special session tightens, Gov. John Bel Edwards and House Republican leaders still are fencing over the details of his doomsday budget proposal and whether the Republicans will come up with an alternative plan next week.

Read the story in bestofneworleans.com/Gambit.

‘Pay us back’: Concerns mount on proposed health care cuts

By Ryan Noonan and Mary Lagroue

As Eula Franklin chatted with other senior citizens at the Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center in South Baton Rouge on Thursday, her cheerful mood began to dim as she discussed the possible repercussions of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposed health care cuts on the lives of her and her loved ones.

Read the story in The Daily Advertiser.

Governor’s budget proposal grim for TOPS and state health services; state GOP is skeptical

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Gov. John Bel Edwards, left, and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne presented the governor’s budget proposal for fiscal 2019 to a joint legislative committee this morning. Photo by Sarah Gamard

By Katie Gagliano and Sarah Gamard

Baton Rouge’s rainy weather mirrored the gloom inside the Capitol Monday, as Gov. John Bel Edwards presented a 2019 doomsday budget with deep cuts in the popular TOPS college scholarship program and in state health services, saying he hopes they never go into effect.

Read the story in bestofneworleans.com/Gambit

Lawmakers upset over proposal to slash TOPS scholarship program by 80 percent

Jay Dardenne, Gov. John Bel Edwards' commissioner of administration (left) and State Budget Director Barry Dusse answer questions about Edwards' budget proposal yesterday. - PHOTO BY ASHLEY WOLF
PHOTO BY ASHLEY WOLF
Jay Dardenne, Gov. John Bel Edwards’ commissioner of administration (left) and State Budget Director Barry Dusse answer questions about Edwards’ budget proposal yesterday.

By Ashley Wolf and Tryfon Boukouvidis

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposal to slash the TOPS college scholarship program by 80 percent to staunch an upcoming budget shortfall has raised concerns among both Republican and Democratic legislators and the nearly 49,000 students who rely on it.

Ready the story in gambit.