The 2015/16 budget stands at $29.1 billion dollars, up from last year's approx $28 billion. And we're already hearing there will be a budget shortfall. According to LA Treasurer, John Kennedy, the governor's office controls approximated $2 billion in discretionary spending. From the New Orleans Advocate on September 9th:
http://www.theneworleansadvocate.com...ll-here-is-why
A telling excerpt from the article:
"His pet peeve is 19,000 consulting contracts handed out to the tune of $2 billion a year at the whim of the administration. Kennedy will not be alone in wondering, for example, why the state should pay to promote seat belt usage among Hispanic residents of Rapides Parish. He can give you many equally absurd examples at the drop of a hat."
All the candidates need to address whether or not they'll put this slush fund on the table for spending cuts, or even volunteer how much they're willing to cut it.
Louisiana doesn't so much have a revenue problem as it has a spending problem. The candidate that gets my vote will give specifics on how they plan to get spending under control. Beginning with this Huey Long era governor's patronage fund. This one area alone has enough money to more than offset anticipated cuts to higher education.
Which is more important, Rapides Parish seat belt usage and similar contracts or Louisiana Tech and the other universities in Louisiana? The candidates should be made to go on record!