State House Approves Budget

After working out their differences behind closed doors, the state House approved a 25-billion dollar budget for next fiscal year. Legislators left the House chambers on Wednesday at an impasse on a proposed 81-million dollar cut in health care. They came back Thursday afternoon and approved the cut.  Once the 81-million dollars were cut from the health care budget, there was very little debate on the spending plan.

The Jindal administration expressed concern about previous cuts that were made to the budget that could impact public safety, health care and education. Port Vincent Rep. Mert Smily even accused the Jindal administration of playing politcs. 

Denham Springs Representative Bodi White expressed concern about cuts made to the Governor's office of Homeland Security and Emergency Prepardness. White says slashing their travel budget is not a good idea
But despite White's objection, the GOHSEP budget was approved.
House members also approved cuts to the Department of Corrections budget despite claims by the Jindal administration that it will result in the closing of five prisons. The proposed budget heads to the Senate. The Senate Finance Committee will begin hearings on Monday.