Lawmakers comb through budget proposals
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Legislators on Monday debated litter control, the cost of river ferries and whether the state is spending too much money teaching juvenile offenders everything but the basics.
The discussion was part of the House appropriation committee’s review of how state agencies spend money. Lawmakers are combing through Gov. Bobby Jindal’s $30 billion proposed state operating budget for the spending year that starts July 1.
Rep. Elbert Guillory, D-Opelousas, said officials must find a better way to deliver services to jailed youths without breaking the state’s bank.
Only 10 percent of juvenile offenders get a high school equivalency certificate, he said.
The state does a better job with adult offenders, Guillory said.
Jetson Center for Youth, an 850-acre boys juvenile prison near Baker, offers instruction in Chinese relaxation, art classes and piano lessons, he said.
“But we’re overlooking the basics,” Guillory complained to the appropriations committee.
The instruction in Chinese relaxation costs the state $7,000 a year, he said.
“We’re paying $7,000 for Chinese relaxation?” asked state Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie.
Rep Mert Smiley, R-St. Amant, said it would be cheaper to send a youth to Harvard University than to one of the state’s juvenile prisons.
Rep. Kevin Pearson, R-Slidell, questioned ferry costs in Melville.
The state Department of Transportation and Development operates most of the ferries in the state. The Legislature approves what the ferries charge.
Alan Boxberger, an analyst with the House Fiscal Division, said the vehicle count is low because the ferry serves agricultural vehicles.
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