Tryfon Boukouvidas/Manship School News Service
After numerous revisions, political pressure and arm twisting, the 2017 Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature agreed to a formula Wednesday to counter a $304.2 million revenue shortfall.
It was a combination of midyear budget reductions, transfer of special funds, savings not filling vacant positions and a $99 million contribution from the state’s savings account, known as the Rainy Day fund.
It took the Legislature 10 days to come up with the following:
BUDGET CUTS
General Fund/Statutory Dedications/Self-Generated Revenue
Executive Department: $1,683,161.
Executive Office, $112,070.
Louisiana Tax Commission, $52,504.
Division of Administration, $820,941.
Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District, $200,000.
Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, $251,674.
Office of Elderly Affairs, $37,750.
Louisiana State Racing Commission, $208,222.
Elected Officials: $4,347,228.
Office of the Attorney General, $1,073,086.
Lieutenant Governor, $53,365.
State Treasurer, $1,000,000.
Public Service Commission, $260,205.
Agriculture and Forestry, $1,245,410.
Commissioner of Insurance, $715,162.
Economic Development: $1,368,064.
Culture Recreation and Tourism, $1,532,103.
Office of the Secretary, $161,511.
Office of the State Library of Louisiana, $191,276.
Office of State Museum, $193,334.
Office of State Parks, $865,231.
Office of Cultural Development, $120,751.
Transportation and Development: $1,606,693.
Public Safety Services: $9,480,503.
Office of Management and Finance, $200,000.
Office of State Police, $8,380,000.
Office of State Fire Marshal, $900,503.
Juvenile Justice: $4,467,000.
Health: $132,610,958.
Natural Resources: $835,082.
Revenue: $210,354.
Environmental Quality: $4,121,340.
Wildlife and Fisheries: $383,975.
Civil Services: $52,654.
Public School Education: $1,750,000.
Legislature: $3,544,574.
Capital Outlay: $2,940,000.
REVENUE TRANSFERRED OR ADDED
— Budget Stabilization Fund: $99,000,000.
— Legislative Auditor excess: $2,000,000.
— GoZone (college grants) additional revenues: $18,390,775.
— Statewide vacancies: $11,900,000.
NET TOTAL: $304,224,464.