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Panel cuts budget

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Social programs, universities take hits

By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: May 12, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Lawmakers slashed Gov. Bobby Jindal’s $30 billion state government spending plan by $120 million Sunday.

Most of the cuts in House Bill 1 — the budget legislation for the state spending year that begins July 1 — were to the Medicaid program and public colleges and universities.

For example, lawmakers trimmed $52 million in payments to private doctors and others who treat the poor.

Legislators recommended the cuts in answer to a push by so-called fiscal conservatives to rein in the growth of state government.

The budget still must be considered by the full House before the Senate gets a chance to put its stamp on the bill.

In the House Committee on Appropriation’s changes to the budget, Pennington Biomedical Research Center lost $3 million for studies on genetics, cancer, Alzheimer’s and disease prevention.

Another $2.5 million was whittled away from a pre-kindergarten program for 4-year-old students.

The Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson stands to lose $300,000 in funding.

The committee added spending to the budget, including about $15 million for food banks, councils on aging, museums, a Christmas festival, fire hydrants and a walking trail.

State Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro and the budget bill sponsor, downplayed the health care and education reductions in the governor’s original state spending proposal.

He said the committee targeted spending that was budgeted to grow in the coming fiscal year rather than existing funding.

“Most of our cuts were reducing enhancements. I don’t think you can use the word ‘cuts’ too much,” said Fannin, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee.

The committee removed $420 million in one-time dollars that Jindal plugged into his proposed budget, mostly for health care expenses that will have to be paid year after year.


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DRamsey
Monday, May 12, 2008
5:15 AM

Let me get this straight the Legislature cut funding for pre-K programs but gave the city governments of Denham Springs, Central and Zachary between 50K-75K. Denham Springs voters gave taxes to Bass Pro but now they come to the state for money. Cut funding for the less fortunate but turn away and give it to the more affluent, something is rotten in Baton Rouge.

James
Monday, May 12, 2008
6:01 AM

That's right, DRamsey, cut medicaid and colleges but retain over $80 million in slush funds! Don't you agree that these people deserve a massive pay raise for the wonderful work that they do for us?

JimmyZ
Monday, May 12, 2008
7:01 AM

Cutting 0.4% out of the budget is hardly "slashing the budget" as described in the article. I'm sure there is a lot more pork that could be cut out of that big pig.

AHudson
Monday, May 12, 2008
8:18 AM

“Most of our cuts were reducing enhancements. I don’t think you can use the word ‘cuts’ too much,” said Fannin, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee. Yes you can if you cut health reasearch to much then it moves out of state can any one "say job loss. DRamsey is so right Denham Springs Dosen't deserve those funds. And Honestly what is the point of a year round Farmers Market, once a year for about a month it is a good novelty but please it will get old quick and just loose money for the museum which will then ask for more funds what are these idiots thinking

Boudreau
Monday, May 12, 2008
8:30 AM

Should taxpayer money really be spent on the American Muslim Mission?

W.Johnson
Monday, May 12, 2008
9:48 AM

I'm not really understanding the logic behind the Pre-K and Medicaid cuts. We Louisiana will never be on the same level as other states because our priorities are in the wrong places. Louisiana is one of the states with the poorest education, and healthcare, but we see fit to take monies away from the programs that matter the most and put it elsewhere. I thank God, thus for I have not had to depend on the state for any assistance. Yes, D. Ramsey I agree with you 100%, "something is rotten in Baton Rouge LA.

Observer
Monday, May 12, 2008
9:49 AM

But half of that $30 billion figure is federal money, so the overall budget figure that is thrown around is misleading. Several universities are receiving less money than last year, so that's a cut. Only in Louisiana would you cut education when the state has a surplus.

Oliver
Monday, May 12, 2008
4:18 PM

These are not cuts. A cut would be a reduction in funding from the previous year. If some universities are receiving less money than last year, then that would be a cut. There are many programs at universities that should be taken out of the budget, so without knowing the specifics, it is hard to say it is a bad choice. Funding higher education blindly is just stupid. The so-called 'cut' to Pre-K is actually a smaller increase than the previous year. The budget for this year has MORE money than last for Pre-K. All those local projects should not be in the budget either.

Cajun Jedi
Monday, May 12, 2008
5:25 PM

This is the same legislature that decided it wasn't going to look at tax relief for Louisiana taxpayers that is giving $20,000 to the American Muslim Mission? We need to remember this in three years when they run for office.

alwaysamazed
Monday, May 12, 2008
7:24 PM

Encyclopedia Britannia American Muslim Mission -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A distinctive development of Islam emerged in the United States early in the 20th century. Known as the American Muslim Mission, Black Muslims, or the Nation of Islam, it originated as an African American religious and nationalist movement. Its original main thesis was that all nonwhite races should ideally form one nation. The movement was established in 1930 by W.D. Fard, … $20,000 of our tax dollars??? HUMM???

Winston
Monday, May 12, 2008
10:59 PM

I see my earlier comment didn't last long here. What is wrong? Afraid of upsetting Muslims?? They don't mind upsetting us. WHY are we funding anything that they do?? They hate us, and here we are, as a state AND a nation, supporting them. STUPID!!!!

Ron Guidry
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
1:23 AM

Jindal needs to be reminded of the speech he gave promising relief for the taxladen peoplr of this state.Maybe they should phase in the pay raise for our so-called politicos as they have suggested they phase in the tax break.Yep,lets cut medicaid,that way we can be under instead of at the bottom of that barrel.