Katie Gagliano /LSU Manship School News Service
A bipartisan group of state senators on Monday urged Gov. John Bel Edwards to move forward with a February special session whether or not House Republicans seem ready to agree to measures to ease a projected $1 billion shortfall in state revenue.
Fourteen senators, including Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, and Senate Finance Chairman Eric LaFleur, D-Ville Platte, signed the letter spearheaded by Sen. Rick Ward, R-Port Allen. The 11 Republican and three Democrat signees expressed concerns that delaying a special session until the final weeks of June will cause “irreparable harm to our universities and hospitals.”
“There is not a single option that will be available in June that is not available to the legislature now,” the letter said. “The state gains nothing and only loses by waiting.”
“Our work now must ensure that our citizens in the future not be forced to consider whether a better life for themselves and their children necessitates residing elsewhere,” the letter added.
The letter came as the governor and House Speaker Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, had another phone conversation on Monday about the state of budget negotiations within the House.
The window to call a February session dwindles by the day, as state law dictates the governor must provide at least seven days of notice before a special session can convene. The Legislature’s regular session is scheduled to start March 12 and adjourn June 4.
Lawmakers are unable to take up revenue-raising measures in even-numbered years, necessitating a special session to resolve the state’s fiscal cliff. While the Legislature can call a special session with a majority in both houses, it seems lawmakers are waiting on the governor to make the decision.
A statement from Edwards’ press secretary, Tucker Barry, said the governor agrees with the need for a special session, but noted that a minority of House members continually block reform efforts. The statement reiterated that the governor would like to see positive signs of compromise before calling a session.
“As soon as Gov. Edwards receives a proposal from the speaker, the negotiations with the full Legislature can begin,’’ the statement said. “Gov. Edwards can’t negotiate with himself, and it’s critically important for the House to come to the table with ideas.”
Edwards and Barras have conferred several times over the last two weeks in an effort to determine the House GOP’s priorities, but few definitive proposals have been brought forward. Barras and other House leaders have indicated that they won’t consider revenue-raising measures without other changes, including Medicaid co-pay and work requirements, and the expansion of a government spending transparency website.
The governor’s office has said those changes would not save much money and could even add to the state’s administrative costs. House Republicans have said that they are waiting for more details from legislative auditors about what impact the governor’s and their proposals would have on the budget.