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• Special Assistant Salary Source Questioned After Funding Eliminated Play Video

  March 21, 2013 6:33 PM

  There are many questions, as to how a special assistant to the Lafayette Parish Superintendent will be paid or even if he still has a job. This after the Lafayette Parish School Board voted to eliminate funding for Thad Welch's job. By a vote of five to four, the... more »

• More Details Emerge on UMC, LGMC Partnership Play Video

  January 24, 2013 6:44 PM

  Cuts were announced a year ago at University Medical Center. Because of those budget cuts, UMC was set to lose 22-point-five-million-dollars and 173 jobs. In December, Lafayette General Medical Center stepped in announcing a partnership to avoid those cuts. Thursday, a healthcare panel answered questions from the House... more »

• Violence Shelters Bracing for Cuts Play Video

  January 7, 2013 6:21 PM

  Governor Bobby Jindal is coming under fire for cutting the budgets of battered women's shelters. Funding for family violence prevention and intervention programs was cut by nearly one-million-dollars--that's a 16-percent reduction. The goal is to try and close a 166-million dollar mid-year budget deficit. The Jindal administration says the... more »

• New Iberia Budget Cuts: Layoffs and Reduced Benefits for City Employees

  October 30, 2012 11:17 PM

  The City of New Iberia will lay off nine city workers because of budget cuts. In all they've reduced the 2013 budget by six million dollars and the council approved the budget Tuesday night in a four to three vote. "Y'all laying off other people when what we should... more »

• Budget Cuts Threaten Jobs, Services and Resident Program at UMC Play Video

  October 5, 2012 12:06 AM

  Patients and doctors alike are worried about the future of Lafayette's University Medical Center, after another round of drastic budget cuts. "We are saddened, we are dismayed, we are worried," said Chief Resident of Internal Medicine Leah Potter. "For people with no insurance, we don't really have anywhere... more »

• LCG Budget Approved; But Not Without a Few Cuts, Confusion and Changes Play Video

  September 13, 2012 11:33 PM

  There were some cuts, some confusion and a few changes, but Lafayette City-Parish Government managed to pass a $581 million budget for next year. The council eliminated 84 city-parish jobs from the budget. However, those positions were vacant so no employees had to be laid off. Also, funding for non-profit... more »

• Durel to Council: City of Lafayette Pays More Than Fair Share of Parish Budget Play Video

  July 26, 2012 11:45 PM

  Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel had some tough words for the LCG Council Wednesday night as the administration introduced next year's proposed budget. Durel brought up a new issue at the meeting, saying he believes the City of Lafayette is paying more than it's fair share of the entire Parish... more »

• LSU Health System Hit Hard by Medicaid Cuts Play Video

  July 19, 2012 11:17 PM

  The LSU Health System has a number, but no plan, on how to strip $329 million from the hospital system. The cuts total $523 million for the state's health care system, handed down by Governor Bobby Jindal's administration last week. Of that, two-thirds falls on the LSU Healthcare System. ... more »

• Governor Jindal Cuts $100,000 From CODOFIL's Budget Play Video

  June 19, 2012 6:24 PM

  Using his veto power, Governor Jindal has cut $100,000 from the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, also known as CODOFIL. This 40 percent slash to the budget could affect French Immersion. Heba Elseginy's three kids are in French Immersiona at Praire Elementary. Since they started, she's noticed... more »

• Denham Springs sees budget outspending revenue

  May 29, 2012 8:21 AM

  DENHAN SPRINGS, La. (AP) - The city of Denham Springs finds expenditures for this fiscal year, which ends June 30, are $1.6 million higher than revenue. That's according to the city's amended budget. The administration proposes spending about 3 percent less in the coming fiscal year, which begins July 1,... more »

• Senators take their hand at next year's budget

  May 28, 2012 10:11 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana senators are crafting their version of the state's more than $25 billion operating budget for next year, deciding Monday whether to back the deep cuts proposed by their counterparts in the House. Senators have said they expect to restore some of the money stripped... more »

• State Budget Cuts Could Slash Early Childhood Programs Play Video

  May 15, 2012 11:27 PM

  State budget cuts could slash children's health services provided by the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). This week the Senate Finance Committee will consider a $100 million budget cut to DHH that was approved by the House last week. Those cuts actually amount to some $350 million because... more »

• Jindal administration: No estimate for budget hole

  April 20, 2012 9:28 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal's top budget adviser says he doesn't know how large a hole is left in next year's budget because of changes made to the governor's retirement proposals. Jindal's asking lawmakers to push back the retirement age and boost their pension costs for rank-and-file... more »

• Sorrento amends budget to cover $75,000 spent

  April 19, 2012 7:36 AM

  SORRENTO, La. (AP) - Overspending of nearly $75,000 has forced Sorrento officials to rework the town's 2011-12 budget. The Advocate reports the town council agreed on a 4-0 vote Tuesday to approve an ordinance amending the 2011-12 budget, reducing the amounts of some funds and increasing the total expenses and... more »

• Budget committee considers central La. prison sale

  April 10, 2012 7:49 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The House's budget committee is set to decide whether to support a Jindal administration plan to sell a central Louisiana prison to a private operator. A similar proposal was killed by the Appropriations Committee last year. But the panel has several new members who are... more »

• Caddo School Board may hit budget reserves

  April 6, 2012 11:10 AM

  SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - Caddo Parish School District officials are recommending the use of $6.2 million in surplus funds to balance the 2012-2013 budget. The recommendation comes after parents expressed unhappiness with scheduling changes designed to save about $7 million. The Times reports that not all board members are happy... more »

• LCG $5 Million Deficit Could Leave Arts Groups High and Dry

  March 28, 2012 7:26 PM

  A $5 million deficit has Lafayette City-Parish council members debating on how to fill the gap, by either making cuts for next year's budget, or increasing revenues. Talks of cuts could mean the deficit might hurt arts and public service organizations in Lafayette. "With our current budget we are... more »

• Lafayette budget deficit stirs debate

  March 28, 2012 10:11 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Next year's Lafayette city-parish government budget might need to be $5 million leaner. The Advocate reports a discussion on Tuesday about the need for two new fire stations expanded into a debate over how the administration and council will find the estimated $5 million in new... more »

• LSU officials: Jindal budget means hospital cuts

  March 28, 2012 6:26 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Leaders of LSU's public hospital system said Tuesday that Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget overestimates revenue for its hospitals and clinic network next year and that the system would have to impose cuts to close a multi-million dollar funding gap. University hospital officials told the House... more »

• St. Landry Schools Consider 2 Budget Plans

  March 24, 2012 2:11 PM

  The St. Landry Parish School Board has approved two cost-reduction proposals and will submit them to a state legislative auditor's review committee. The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/GUEi5m) that a short-term plan would save the district $3.3 million by July 1, and averting a budget deficit. The second proposal, more long-term in... more »

• Senators begin their 2012-13 budget review Tuesday

  March 13, 2012 10:40 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State senators are getting their first in-depth look at the governor's budget proposal for closing an $895 million shortfall next year. Gov. Bobby Jindal's 2012-13 spending plans involve the hiring of private companies to handle more state services, the layoff of up to 2,700 state... more »

• Fixing Potholes by Fixing Budget Problems Play Video

  February 29, 2012 11:20 PM

  St. Landry Parish Council was crunching the numbers Wednesday night, hoping to fix some budget problems for next year. One of the main issues was cutting the fat and getting more money into fixing parish roads. "We tried in every way shape and form to increase the revenue in... more »

• St. Landry Teachers Worry Their Jobs are On the Line Play Video

  February 27, 2012 11:20 PM

  A $3.9 million budget deficit still looming over the St. Landry Parish School Board. The Board and various committees held three meetings on Monday to address some of the issues pertaining to the budget and impending cuts. With such a deep budget gap, Interim Superintendent Donnie Perron said employee... more »

• Budget cuts would eliminate Belle Chasse squadron

  February 20, 2012 9:43 AM

  BELLE CHASSE, La. (AP) - The Navy has proposed decommissioning a squadron at the air station in Belle Chasse as part of its plans to meet President Barack Obama's budget cut orders. The Times-Picayune reports that would eliminate the only naval aviation unit dedicated to fighting drug smugglers. Under the... more »

• St. Landry United Coalition of Educators Allege Severe Spending Issues Play Video

  February 14, 2012 12:51 AM

  At a public forum Monday night, the St. Landry United Coalition of Educators (SLUCE) outlined what representatives called wasteful spending and mismanagement of funds by the St. Landry Parish School Board. As we've been reporting for several months, the board is facing a nearly $4-million budget shortfall this year... more »

• UMC Making Cuts and Closures, Worries About Next Year

  February 6, 2012 10:12 PM

  As University Medical Center plans to make $4 million in cuts, by closing clinics and laying off possibly 80 employees, hospital officials worry what the next fiscal year could bring. Labor and Delivery will be closing its doors, along with Inpatient Pediatrics, Kidmed and the Detox unit. Others, like... more »

• Alexandria City Council issues balanced budget

  January 25, 2012 9:45 AM

  ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) - The Alexandria City Council has balanced its budgets. On Tuesday, council took money left over from the previous fiscal year as well as increased sales tax revenues and putting them toward overtime for employees, contract labor and aging infrastructure. Thanks to an increase of nearly 4... more »

• Economic view shaky as Cuomo prepares NY budget

  January 16, 2012 10:42 AM

  ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - As Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to present his budget proposal for the coming fiscal year, a state financial report shows the boomlet that appeared briefly in the spring has fizzled. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in his quarterly "cash report" that state tax revenues were up... more »

• Major Construction Taking Place at UL Play Video

  January 12, 2012 4:03 PM

  After a much deserved break, thousands of UL Lafayette students returned to school Wednesday. This school year brings lots of excitement as UL has several major construction projects underway. Just last year, UL's new dorms became a reality and one week ago, the newsest dorms, Huger Hall opened.... more »

• ULL cutting $3.3M from budget

  January 11, 2012 10:46 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is cutting $3.3 million from its 2011-12 budget because of projected state shortfalls. The state, last month, announced an additional $50 million cut in higher education funding. President Joseph Savoie tells The Advertiser this is the fourth consecutive fiscal year... more »

• LSU Health Shreveport: a new round of budget woes

  January 10, 2012 10:06 AM

  SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - LSU Health Shreveport has lost what amounts to a $25.6 million savings account because of state budget woes. It is reported that state health officials will use federal money generated by LSU Health Shreveport hospital operations to replace state general funds in the state Health and... more »

• UL CUTS Play Video

  January 9, 2012 7:45 PM

  To tackle the state's deficit across Louisiana, higher education was hit with a $50-million cut which directly affects UL with a $3.3-million cut back. Starting with a $1-million cut from external research centers in manufacturing, the LITE center and the Picard Center for Child Development. Jerry Leblanc, the VP of... more »

• St. Landry Parish School Board Facing Budget Crisis Play Video

  November 29, 2011 12:37 AM

  The St. Landry Parish School Board is facing a budget shortfall and will likely have to make budget cuts, before the end of this fiscal year. "We're going to have to make up several million dollars," said Interim Superintendent Donnie Perron. "It's pretty much a crisis, financially." The... more »

• Opelousas Police Pinched by Parades

  October 16, 2011 11:48 AM

  OPELOUSAS, La. (AP) - The Opelousas Board of Aldermen is taking a tough look at the cost of paying police to staff festival parades. The Daily World reported (http://bit.ly/dailyworld11112) the board has not yet adopted a city budget. Its fiscal year began on Sept. 1. Police Chief Perry Gallow told... more »

• LCG Budget Approved Despite Disputes

  September 27, 2011 11:22 PM

  Lafayette Consolidated Government has been crunching the numbers for next year's budget all summer. Even with the final vote Tuesday night, there was still more than one million dollars disputed among council members. Three main amendments were still on the table Tuesday. All were controversial topics and mostly being... more »

• City Officials Call Opelousas Budget a Financial Crisis

  September 7, 2011 7:14 PM

  Some Opelousas officials describe the city's budget situation as a financial crisis, but Opelousas Mayor Don Cravins said the city's budget is okay. Council members were supposed to reach an agreement on the budget for the next fiscal year by September first, but there's still no compromise. The council... more »

• Traffic Camera Revenue: For Safety or Cash Generating

  August 12, 2011 10:17 PM

  Tickets from red light and speed cameras generate millions of dollars in Lafayette, but are they really for safety purposes only? When a fine shows up in your mail box for getting caught by one of those cameras, drivers will shell out any where from $25 to over a... more »

• Cajundome Repair Work Finished Early, Under Budget

  August 7, 2011 2:35 PM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The Cajundome's operations director says permanent bracing at weak points in the outer walls is done, 13 months ahead of schedule and $50,000 under budget. Phil Ashurst tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/oa2gSS ) the arena's good for another 50 or 75 years. Where support beams had reinforced... more »

• UL faculty say cuts/layoffs not fair to professors

  July 11, 2011 11:47 PM

  An entire doctoral program and two tenured professors are being phased out at UL, but some faculty members don't think the cuts are fair. UL's Cognitive Sciences program is the only PhD program of its kind in Louisiana, but it won't be around by May 2013. The University claims... more »

• Crowley Community Protests City Job Cuts

  July 7, 2011 11:57 PM

  A slew of positions are on the chopping block for the City of Crowley, but those budget cuts won't be made without a fight from the community. Dozens of community members showed up at Thursday Finance Committee meeting to show their support for city workers, especially at the fire and... more »

• LA Senate Debates $25B Budget on Sunday

  June 19, 2011 12:09 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana senators are taking their turn at crafting a $25 billion budget for next year, with fewer cuts than the House sought. The full Senate is scheduled to debate the spending plan Sunday afternoon. Senate leaders are hoping they can sway the House on their... more »

• Senators reverse House-backed cuts in $25B budget

  June 15, 2011 10:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators have reworked the $25 billion budget for next year, proposing to reverse House-backed cuts to health care services, prisons, parks and education programs. The Senate Finance Committee hopes it's found a way to patch the holes without running afoul of House restrictions on the... more »

• Jindal's ideas not well received in the legislature

  June 3, 2011 12:34 AM

  Governor Jindal's plan to cut a $1-billion state deficit isn't well received by the house. But it's not just Jindal's budget plan legislators are shooting down. When you add it up, we're talking $230-million. That's how much MORE money the House wants to cut from Governor Jindal's budget plan.... more »

• Senators Begin Combing Through $25B Budget Plan

  May 30, 2011 7:43 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state Senate's budget-crafting committee is beginning its review of next year's nearly $25 billion budget, with Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration angling to reverse House-backed cuts. The House stripped more than $230 million in state spending sought by Jindal in the 2011-12 budget. Jindal says... more »

• Jindal Budget Criticism Comes from GOP

  May 29, 2011 12:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The opposition party isn't the only one giving Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal fits these days. It's his own GOP. Conventional wisdom would have suggested Republican takeovers of both the House and Senate would have given Jindal an easier path for passage of his legislative agenda... more »

• State Gets a New $77 Million Budget Problem

  May 19, 2011 6:17 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Any lawmakers' hopes that Louisiana's income picture would brighten have been dashed. The state income forecasting panel, called the Revenue Estimating Conference, instead dropped the state's forecast by $77 million this year. While the panel agreed Wednesday to leave next year's estimates alone, the drop... more »

• LA Regular Legislative Session Begins Monday

  April 24, 2011 2:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Weary lawmakers still smarting from angry battles over the drawing of their political districts return to the Louisiana Capitol on Monday to take up the difficult task of balancing next year's budget. The two-month regular session will be jam-packed with tough decisions on whether to... more »

• Boustany on Agreement to Fund Government, Cut Spending

  April 9, 2011 10:30 AM

  "Avoiding a government shutdown was important for the sake of our troops and our national security, as well as our economic recovery," Boustany said. "At the same time, it was important to make fiscally responsible cuts in spending because of the massive debt. By dealing with the unfinished business left... more »

• 'Historic' deal to avoid government shutdown

  April 8, 2011 11:59 PM

  Perilously close to a government shutdown, President Barack Obama and congressional leaders forged an agreement late Friday night on a deal to cut about $38 billion in federal spending and avert the first closure in 15 years. Obama hailed the deal, a bit more than an hour before a... more »

• What a Government Shutdown Would Mean for You

  April 7, 2011 11:43 PM

  The Friday deadline is fast approaching for a compromise on the federal budget, or shut the U.S. Government down. An agreement seems to be slipping further away in Washington, and a federal shutdown could have severe negative effects for millions of Americans. "I think it's a little extreme to... more »

• St. Martin Parish School Board Cuts

  April 7, 2011 7:18 PM

  The St. Martin Parish School Board is avoiding a financial crisis by making cuts to their staff. It's a move that is actually getting praise from teachers. "We were pleased with the results," said Latonia Cretian, a teacher at Teche Elementary and president of the St. Martin Federation of... more »

• Lawmakers to hear public complaints about budget

  April 7, 2011 5:59 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Lawmakers on the House budget-writing committee have heard from agency chiefs about the details of Gov. Bobby Jindal's nearly $25 billion budget proposal. Now, they're hearing from the public. The Appropriations Committee has a Thursday hearing scheduled to take public comments on the governor's 2011-12... more »

• Landrieu Opposes UNO-SUNO Merger

  March 27, 2011 11:47 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Mayor Mitch Landrieu has joined the ranks of those opposed to merging Southern University at New Orleans and the University of New Orleans. In an article for publication in The Louisiana Weekly's April 4 issue, Landrieu says Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to combine the universities was... more »

• LA Attorney General Bars N.O. from Railroad Money

  March 27, 2011 11:41 AM

  NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Louisiana's attorney general says New Orleans officials have no authority to use New Orleans Public Belt Railroad funds to help balance the city's budget. Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said that the city had no `claim' or right to any `surplus' revenue from public railroad entity. The... more »

• Tuition Hikes Worry Louisiana Students

  March 14, 2011 11:50 PM

  Criticism quickly followed Governor Bobby Jindal's newly released budget plan. One red flag is tuition hikes for Louisiana colleges. Included in Jindal's new budget is a spending provision of $98 million dollars which Jindal hopes state colleges will get through tuition hikes. "I don't like it, I really... more »

• Governor Jindal Reveals State Budget

  March 11, 2011 7:35 PM

  Negotiations with Governor Jindal and state legislators are underway about the state's budget. Jindal revealed a 250 page plan this morning. Democratic State Senator, Eric Lafleur, said the governor's proposed budget's looks nice, but isn't very realistic. He said, "I think what the members were expecting not to have these... more »

• VA Budget Request for 2010

  February 14, 2011 5:30 PM

  WASHINGTON - In announcing the proposed budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during the next fiscal year, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki emphasized "making every dollar" count in the $132 billion budget proposal for VA. "We will continue to wisely use the funds that Congress... more »

• Landry Responds to President's Budget

  February 14, 2011 3:24 PM

  WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Jeff Landry (Republican, New Iberia) released the following statement in response to President Obama's proposed 2012 budget submitted to Congress today: "Once again, the President has failed to listen to the American people. We cannot afford his reckless $3.8 trillion spending of our hard-earned money.... more »

• Concerns on Health Care Cutbacks

  February 8, 2011 7:43 PM

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• Jindal considers several ideas to fill budget gap

  December 9, 2010 9:36 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal said he's considering the sale of state prisons, office buildings and future lottery proceeds to create upfront cash to patch holes in next year's budget. Jindal floated the ideas Thursday in a closed-door meeting with top lawmakers, as the governor weighs how... more »

• UL Could Cut Another Program

  November 30, 2010 8:00 PM

  University of Louisiana students might have fewer choices when it comes to signing up for classes soon, as another program could be on the chopping block. KATC's Maddie Garrett talked with students and University officials Tuesday about the budget problems and what it could mean for students. University officials... more »

• Senate Confirms Obama's Pick for Budget Director

  November 19, 2010 8:13 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's choice for budget director won Senate confirmation Thursday after a senator ended her protest over the administration's moratorium on deep-water oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The Senate confirmed by voice vote Jacob Lew as director of the Office of Management... more »

• $147 Million In Federal Education Money Will Now Go To Fill In Budget Gaps

  November 10, 2010 5:46 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek has told school superintendents their districts won't receive an expected infusion of $147 million in federal education money. Instead, The Associated Press has learned that Pastorek told the superintendents in a Wednesday conference call that the Jindal administration plans... more »

• Jindal adds Pennsylvania to his travels

  October 22, 2010 6:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A few hours after announcing $107 million in budget cuts across state agencies, Gov. Bobby Jindal headed to a Pennsylvania fundraiser. The governor's office says Jindal traveled Friday to Pittsburgh to help raise money for Republican Tom Corbett's campaign for governor. A day earlier, Jindal... more »

• New Details About Impact of State Budget Cuts

  October 22, 2010 5:46 PM

  Three hundred health care workers and another 100 college employees will be laid off because Gov. Bobby Jindal cut the state budget by $107 million. The cuts were announced Friday to account for a deficit from the last fiscal year. Higher education took one-third of the cuts, about $35 million.... more »

• Jindal orders $107M in cuts to rebalance budget

  October 22, 2010 4:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal said higher education, health care and social services will take the largest cuts Friday when he orders reductions to rebalance the budget and close a $107 million deficit. The executive order, expected later Friday, comes after the Joint Legislative Committee on the... more »

• GOHSEP Announces Budget Cuts

  October 22, 2010 4:20 PM

  From GOHSEP: Today, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) announced a $1,110,859 budget reduction plan that will ensure the agency can continue to deliver critical services and more value. Savings include eliminating unfilled vacancies in areas such as planning, operations, and regional support. Other savings include... more »

• DHH Announces Budget Cuts

  October 22, 2010 4:16 PM

  From DHH: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein today announced mid-year reductions in department spending of state general funds, and proposed utilization of other means of financing, in order to save $20.8 million in fiscal year 2010-2011. DHH's savings are part of an overall mid-year reduction... more »

• Higher Education Budget Cuts

  October 18, 2010 7:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The head of the state Senate's education committee said Monday he supports temporary tax increases or delays in tax breaks to stop budget cuts to public colleges and other educational programs. Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, said he favors a reversal of tax breaks for... more »

• A Mock Jazz funeral at LSU for Budget cuts

  October 8, 2010 11:45 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Wearing black and holding signs such as, "Goodbye LSU hello Louisiana State Community College," several hundred students, faculty and staff led a funeral march for education. Billed as a jazz funeral, Thursday's event came one day after higher education officials learned that colleges' share of... more »

• UL Protests Against Higher Education Budget Cuts

  October 7, 2010 8:39 PM

  For the first time in more than a decade, the state ended it's budget year in the red. The 108 million dollar deficit has to be made up somehow, so lawmakers are looking at cutting money to higher education. This isn't the first time students are hearing about budget... more »

• Students Rally Today Against Budget Cuts

  October 7, 2010 4:34 PM

  Several dozen UL students and professors gathered in the quad to rally against state budget cuts. Student carried hand made signs, one read, "some cuts don't heal." The group Link for Literacy organized the event. They say, since 2008, higher education has been slashed by 45%, with an additional 35%... more »

• UL Students to Rally Against More Budget Cuts

  October 6, 2010 6:16 PM

  The threat of more state budget cuts to higher education has moved one group of Louisiana-Lafayette students, tired of rising tuition rates, to rally against cuts this week. Links for Literacy is organizing a rally in the quad Thursday from 11:00am - 4:00pm. They hope to raise awareness of budget... more »

• ULL Student Group to Protest Planned budget Cuts

  October 5, 2010 9:36 AM

  LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - The threat of more state budget cuts to higher education has moved one group of Louisiana-Lafayette students, tired of rising tuition rates, to rally against cuts this week. Links for Literacy hopes to raise awareness of budget cuts and the possibility of new ones this winter.... more »

• Lawsuit Challenging the Way State Lawmakers Balanced Last Year's Budget

  October 4, 2010 12:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A lawsuit is challenging the way state lawmakers balanced last year's budget with $198 million from Louisiana's "rainy day" fund. The lawsuit was filed Monday. It claims legislators violated the state constitution by not repaying the money that was taken from the fund. If the... more »

• Senators Say They Know Little Information on Where Deep Budget Cuts Will Fall

  October 1, 2010 1:02 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Senators say they've gotten too little information from the Jindal administration about where deep budget cuts should fall in the upcoming year. They're also saying the cost savings and consolidations talked about by Jindal administration leaders won't be enough to deal with the $1.6 billion... more »

• UNO Faces Tough Budget Future without Federal Cash

  September 27, 2010 9:35 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. - The University of New Orleans is receiving $26 million less in state general funding this year than two years ago, though $17 million in federal stimulus money offset some state cuts on a one-time basis. That's according to the LSU Board of Regents. But with stimulus... more »

• Suit Filed Against DHH For Budget Cuts That Could Send Thousands To Nursing Homes

  September 24, 2010 11:12 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, saying that more than 11,000 state residents could be placed in institutions because of cutbacks in home care services. The New Orleans-based Advocacy Center filed the suit Wednesday in Baton Rouge.... more »

• Millions to Steelmaker Throwing LA's Construction Budget Out of Balance

  September 20, 2010 1:20 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The Jindal administration's plan to give $30 million to steelmaker Nucor for an iron and steel plant in St. James Parish is throwing the state's construction budget out of balance. To make the numbers work, some of the new construction projects lawmakers and the administration... more »

• Analysis: Protests Won't Stop College Budget Cuts

  September 6, 2010 7:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A group of University of New Orleans students has reminded state lawmakers and Gov. Bobby Jindal just how nasty and angry the next round of budget cuts will be, getting into a tussle with police as part of a protest about the deep reductions... more »

• Protests Won't Stop College Budget Cuts

  September 3, 2010 9:17 AM

  A group of University of New Orleans students has reminded state lawmakers and Gov. Bobby Jindal just how nasty and angry the next round of budget cuts will be, getting into a tussle with police as part of a protest about the deep reductions on the horizon. But those students... more »

• Evangeline School Board Adopts 2010-11 Budget

  September 2, 2010 9:22 AM

  VILLE PLATTE, La. (AP) - The Evangeline Parish School Board has adopted a $63.4 million budget for 2010-11. Business Manager Amy Lafleur said it was a "break even" budget, which is considered good following reductions in state funding and a slow down in the economy. Superintendent Toni Hamlin praised school... more »

• Eunice Mayor Vetos Proposed Budget

  July 19, 2010 7:51 PM

  Mayor Bob Morris of Eunice let his council members know exactly what he thought of their proposed budget. Morris said, "It's ridiculous, the reasons they give for doing this doesn't make any sense." He wrote a letter to all council members-all are against the mayor's budget. The letter... more »

• Acadiana Center for the Arts Turns to City for Help

  July 15, 2010 7:03 PM

  City council members got a sneak peak of the newest addition to the Acadiana Center for the Arts facility, for now it's wires and drywall, but soon it will be one of only a few integrated arts centers in the United States. Phillip Gould, secretary for the Acadiana... more »

• Acadia Parish Approves School Budget

  July 6, 2010 7:04 AM

  CROWLEY, La. (AP) - The Acadia Parish School Board has unanimously approved a $68.59 million general fund budget for 2010-11 that projects a $1.357 million shortfall. Business Director Mike Leonards said the district is facing increased expenses and less revenues. Leonards expects the district to be faced with $2 million... more »

• Jindal's Budget Vetoes Hit His Political Foes

  June 28, 2010 8:04 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget vetoes fell heavily on the pet projects of lawmakers who crossed his administration this session, leading to complaints Monday that Jindal used the budget for political retaliation. Lawmakers also bristled at Jindal's removal of $24.9 million for coastal parishes battling the... more »

• La. Lawmakers Worry About Budget 'Cliff'

  June 22, 2010 8:38 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - As they patched together a $26 billion budget in the final days of the legislative session, lawmakers warily looked to next year with worries they won't be able to piecemeal their way out of a looming crisis. A central part of the House and Senate... more »

• $4.7B Construction Budget Bill Approved

  June 21, 2010 9:56 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The state's annual construction budget bill, which details $4.7 billion in multiyear spending plans, received final passage before lawmakers ended their regular session. Louisiana has a cap on annual borrowing that will limit spending on construction projects to an estimated $320 million in the 2010-11... more »

• Lawmakers Add $30M in Pet Projects to Budget

  June 21, 2010 9:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State lawmakers revived millions of dollars in pet projects Monday and added them to Louisiana's spending plans for next year in the final hours of the legislative session. An estimated $30 million in legislators' earmarks for museums, senior centers, water and sewage systems and an... more »

• Senate to Account for Third Deficit in Budget

  June 14, 2010 8:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana doesn't officially have a third budget deficit this year, but senators said Monday they will propose rebalancing the budget to account for economists' predictions of another drop in state income. Economists last week projected the state will end this year with at least a... more »

• House Members Expect A Full Day Of Haggling Over The $25 Billion Budget

  June 4, 2010 1:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - House members expect a full day of haggling over the $25 billion budget bill to pay for state operations next year. House debate on the budget began Friday morning. The House and Senate remain in a near-stalemate over financing plans. To make the numbers work... more »

• Budget balanced with possible miscalculation

  June 1, 2010 11:41 AM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The governor's top financial adviser says the House budget panel balanced next year's budget with economic development dollars already obligated to business projects and with a possible miscalculation in the federal Medicaid money available to the state. Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis outlined her analysis... more »

• More Than $10 Million in Earmarks Added to Budget Bill

  May 30, 2010 3:25 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - As they cut colleges and charity hospitals, budget-crafters in the House slipped in dollars for local festivals, cattle fences, playgrounds, museums, town fire stations and pages of pet projects in their districts back home. More than $10 million in legislative earmarks were quietly added to... more »

• LA Attorney General Asking to Boost His Budget For Lawsuits Over Oil Spill

  May 28, 2010 5:39 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Attorney General Buddy Caldwell is asking state lawmakers to boost his budget by $27 million over two years and to broaden his authority to hire outside attorneys so he can prepare for a lawsuit over the Gulf oil spill. Caldwell has yet to say who... more »

• LA Slashing Funding From Colleges & Charity Hospitals To Balance Budget

  May 27, 2010 6:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - The House's budget panel has ended its delay of the state's budget bill, agreeing to slash funding from colleges and charity hospitals to make the numbers work without using cash that is part of a dispute with the Senate. The center of the disagreement between... more »

• Safe & Drug Free Schools Program: Funding Cut

  May 19, 2010 6:37 PM

  Another educational program feels the blow of budget cuts. The State's "Safe and Drug Free Schools" Program will not receive federal funding for the upcoming school year. The program has been implemented in Lafayette Parish for over 30 years. Supervisor of the Lafayette Parish program, Maxine Hamilton, says parents... more »

• Disagreements Between House & Senate Stalled Work on Budget

  May 19, 2010 4:21 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - In a repeat of the divide that marred last year's budget haggling, disagreements between House and Senate leaders have stalled work on the budget. Lawmakers must rebalance this year's budget, which contains a $319 million deficit, and they need to shape spending plans for the... more »

• State Budget Cuts Threaten Anti-Truancy Program

  April 20, 2010 2:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - State budget cuts threaten an anti-truancy program in Baton Rouge, the district attorney there says. District Attorney Hillar Moore III said Monday that the yearlong effort between his office and the East Baton Rouge Parish school system appears to be working. The campaign has included... more »

• $29 Billion State Budget Must be Rebalanced

  April 15, 2010 4:13 PM

  BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - House Speaker Jim Tucker said lawmakers want to close the state's $319 million deficit within two weeks, hoping to tap unspent funds in state agency accounts while seeking to avoid furloughs of state employees. The $29 billion budget must be rebalanced before the fiscal year... more »