Gov. John Bel Edwards

Bipartisan group urges governor to more forward on special session

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.

Governor, House leader said to be in budget talks

House Speaker Taylor Barras did not release revenue proposals on Friday for dealing with a projected $1 billion budget shortfall, but he and Gov. John Bel Edwards are still talking about how they might address the problem.

Republicans propose spending caps, cost savings, House Speaker Taylor Barras

House Speaker Taylor Barras on Tuesday proposed new spending caps and other cost-saving measures that the Republicans would like to couple with any revenue-raising measures that Gov. John Bel Edwards seeks to deal with a looming state budget shortfall.

GOP budget proposal awaited

As the window for calling a special session tightens, Gov. John Bel Edwards and House Republican leaders are still fencing over the details of his doomsday budget proposal and whether the Republicans will come up with an alternative plan next week.

Doomsday budget would empty parish prisons of state inmates

Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc said most parish jails would be unable to continue to house state prisoners if $40 million in cuts proposed in Gov. John Bel Edwards’ preliminary budget went through.

Numbers being questioned in budget negotiations

After months of meetings that failed to yield compromises and threats of a gut-wrenching string of legislative sessions, Gov. John Bel Edwards has finally shared with lawmakers his top policy priorities and a doomsday budget proposal.

Anderson resignation follows sexual harassment claims

A key staffer to Gov. John Bel Edwards resigned from his position last week after the administration launched an investigation into sexual harassment claims. Sources related to the investigation claimed potential litigation against the state and the executive branch employee could be forthcoming.

GOP Senate leader says more budget woes are ahead

State Sen. Bret Allain, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, sees more budget problems ahead. And he hopes Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards will continue working with the Legislature to solve Louisiana’s budget problems.

Governor to turn listening tour into launching pad

Gov. John Bel Edwards’ business roundtable meetings are continuing across the state and he has about three remaining on his schedule. But to what end? What will come of this process?

Governor directs donation drive for Puerto Rico hurricane relief

Gov. John Bel Edwards has directed the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) to lead a statewide donation drive to help Hurricane Maria survivors in Puerto Rico.