BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Want to help the state dig out of its debt? One state lawmaker wants to set up a way for people to donate to the cause.

Rep. Beryl Amedee, a Republican from Gray, has proposed a bill for the special legislative session that would create a new state fund to accept grants or donations to pay down certain state debts.

Under the terms of the measure, the donated money would flow to the state "rainy day" fund and would pay down retirement system debt and state borrowing debt.

Amedee's proposal comes in a special session called by Gov. John Bel Edwards to stabilize Louisiana's finances. This year's budget has an $850 million to $950 million gap that must be closed by June 30.

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