![Governor: $300M Deficit Could Trigger Need For Special Session](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/02/Louisiana-State-Capitol-wikimedia-commons-e1454730076776.jpg?w=300&h=200&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Governor: $300M Deficit Could Trigger Need For Special Session
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards is suggesting a special budget-rebalancing legislative session may be likely to close a looming midyear deficit.
The size of the gap will be decided next week. The Democratic governor said Friday if the deficit reaches $300 million or more, as has been projected, he believes a special session would be needed.
House Republican leaders, however, hope to avoid such a session. House Speaker Taylor Barras says he'd prefer the governor and the Legislature's budget committees to slash spending on their own.
Louisiana's governor and lawmakers are limited on where they can make cuts when a midyear budget gap emerges.
Edwards says if the deficit reaches $300 million, a special session would give lawmakers more flexibility to cut across agencies, to spread the pain of the reductions.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Proposed Louisiana Law Adds Fuel to a First Amendment Fire](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/04/attachment-FEATURED-IMAGE-7.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Bill to Repeal Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Camera Law Passes Committee](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2022/08/attachment-Atchafalaya-Basin-Bridge-Wikipedia-Commons.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Legislators Aren’t Joking About Banning Laughing Gas Sales](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/03/attachment-Untitled-design-6.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Carencro Man Wanted for Carjacking, Attempted Murder Caught](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/03/attachment-Vehicle-front.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Could Join Texas in Getting Rid of Vehicle Inspection Stickers](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2019/06/inspection-stickers.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
![12 Places in Louisiana You Still Cannot Legally to Carry a Concealed Firearm](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/02/attachment-Untitled-design-31.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![A Dozen Tough-on-Crime Laws Endorsed by Governor Jeff Landry Get the Nod from Louisiana Legislature](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2024/02/attachment-Untitled-design-141.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Senator Stumping to Stop the Clock on Daylight Saving Time](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2016/11/GettyImages-502793454.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Blue Cross Blue Shield Gives Up on Controversial Sale (For Now)](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/11/attachment-New-Information1.jpg?w=980&q=75)