Senate rejects try to kill Dome work

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 23, 2009 - Page: 6A

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The Senate rejected an effort Monday to scuttle $85 million in taxpayer-funded renovations to the Louisiana Superdome.

State Sen. Jody Amedee, D-Gonzales, tried to amend the $5.4 billion state construction budget bill to redirect the money to higher education.

The $85 million in House Bill 2 is part of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s state incentive package for the New Orleans Saints.

Amedee argued Saints owner Tom Benson does not need help from the state.

He said the money should go to higher education, slated for heavy budget cuts in the fiscal year that starts July 1.

State revenue is expected to drop by $1.3 billion in the upcoming fiscal year. Jindal proposed 15 percent cuts in state funding for public colleges and universities.

“I just think $85 million is too much to go to a private business owner who’s got yachts bigger than this chamber,” Amedee said.

At first, Amedee wanted to take the $85 million, pay off state debt and use the savings for higher education.

State Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, questioned how much money that would generate for the state’s public colleges and universities.

Amedee said it would generate $85 million.

Adley disagreed, comparing the proposal to paying off the mortgage on a house. He said putting $85 million toward state debt likely would only generate about $8 million in savings.

Amedee then withdrew his amendment and proposed putting the money into the state’s “rainy day” fund and then withdrawing it for higher education.

State Sen. John Alario, D-Westwego, argued that the $85 million is going to the Superdome and not to Benson.