Budget Worst-case Scenario Would Close Parks, Historic Sites

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says he could shutter many of Louisiana's  state parks, museums and historic sites if his agency takes the worst-case scenario cut for next year.

Nungesser told a House budget committee Monday that Gov. John Bel Edwards' administration asked him to prepare for up to a 30 percent reduction in state financing in the budget year that begins July 1.

Nungesser says he would prioritize the most heavily-visited sites to stay open.

Other agencies are threatened with similar cuts because Louisiana  has a $750 million gap in next year's budget.

The lieutenant governor says he hopes the governor and lawmakers stave off the cuts in a possible special legislative session. Nungesser says he's also trying to create more public/private partnerships to generate money for parks and museums.

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