Louisiana’s Special Session On Taxes Set, Beginning May 22

By MELINDA DESLATTE, Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's next special session on taxes will begin May 22, when lawmakers will negotiate whether to replace some expiring taxes that are blowing a hole in next year's budget.

Gov. John Bel Edwards officially called the special session Monday, setting the start date and a June 4 end date. Lawmakers are working to wrap up their regular session this week, to move into special session next week.

Louisiana is estimated to bring in $648 million less in general tax dollars in the budget year that begins July 1, because temporary taxes are expiring.

Edwards and many lawmakers say replacement taxes are needed to avoid devastating cuts to health, education and safety programs. A February special session ended in gridlock in the House, without passing taxes to close the budget gap.