Jindal Says He’ll Suggest ‘Options’ To Reduce Budget Cuts

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal says his budget cut proposal for next year will be presented to lawmakers with a list of "options" for lessening some of the slashing.

The state faces a $1.6 billion shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. The Jindal administration is considering state financing cuts up to $400 million for public colleges and $300 million to health care services.

Jindal's budget proposal is due to lawmakers at the end of February.

The Republican governor said Wednesday his budget proposal will be paired with "suggested solutions" that could reduce some cuts but would require legislative approval. He wouldn't provide specifics, except to say he wouldn't support tax increases.

Lawmakers have talked about raising fees, reworking tax break programs and looking for other available pots of money to fill gaps.