As Louisiana legislators prepare for an inevitable special session to solve the state’s $313 million midyear budget deficit, Gov. John Bel Edwards is looking toward a higher power for a solution.
Following the revelation of the budget deficit, Edwards announced plans to travel to Rome to meet with Jude Law, star of HBO’s new series “The Young Pope.”
According to sources, plans for Edwards to meet with Pope Francis fell through because of the pope’s prayer commitments prior to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
“One of the greatest honors as an American is to meet the star of a hit HBO drama,” Edwards said in a statement. “While I would have preferred to meet with Tyrion Lannister from ‘Game of Thrones’, I am humbled by the opportunity to meet the Young Pope.”
Citing the dismal state of Louisiana’s budget, Edwards said he’ll be flying coach when departing for Italy, and arranged his accommodations through Airbnb.
“A Lannister always pays their debts, and so does an Edwards,” Edwards said. “Louisiana could use some help paying its debts, and I’m sure the Young Pope will offer invaluable information since he’s on the same TV network.”
It is unclear whether Edwards intends to appear on the HBO show. According to his spokesman, details of the trip are still being finalized.
“The governor is disappointed after plans to appear on Netflix’s ‘Narcos’ didn’t come to fruition on his trip to Havana,” his spokesman said. “Everything is up in the air.”
Edwards will be accompanied by First Lady Donna Edwards, who is an avid fan of Jude Law and loves his film “The Holiday.”
Joining the Edwardses will be State Police Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson and state Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, and Sen. Ronnie Johns, R-Lake Charles.
“We’re just excited we get to go,” Alario said. “The only place we ever went when Jindal was governor was Iowa.”
Echoing Alario’s sentiment, Johns said, “This is what bipartisanship looks like.”
After returning from Italy, Edwards is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., twice in the next month.
“It’s a stressful job,” he said.
John Gavin Harp is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from St. Francisville, Louisiana.