Ag chief: Trapping service might have to be eliminated

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jan 7, 2009 - Page: 4A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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The state agriculture department is the go-to agency for problems with beaver dams and coyotes.

But Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain said he may eliminate those services to save money, putting 11 people out of work.

He said it comes down to “a choice between that and meat inspection.”

Strain is one of a number of statewide elected officials under orders to trim costs.

Gov. Bobby Jindal and legislators must reduce the current $30 billion state operating budget by $341 million because of falling oil prices and a souring economy.

The governor produced a “savings” plan that cuts the amount of state general fund dollars in the current budget year that ends June 30.

For agencies under his direct control, Jindal was able to propose specific savings.

Statewide elected officials merely were told how many fewer dollars they would receive. It is up to the officials to decide how they are going to make do with less money. Most still are determining how they will tighten their belts.

Five of the agencies run by officials elected statewide were asked to reduce their budgets by a total of $14 million. The sixth agency, the state Department of Insurance, receives no state general fund dollars and did not submit any budget reductions.

“It’s too early in the process to say exactly how this office will be impacted. But we are hoping the cuts will not result in layoffs or program elimination,” said state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell.

Caldwell said he is preparing a “worst case scenario” plan for the upcoming budget year, in which a $2 billion shortfall is projected.

Seth Harvey, spokesman for Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, said layoffs are not currently underway in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office or at the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

He said Landrieu still is contemplating how to meet the governor’s requirements, as is state Treasurer John Kennedy.