The Louisiana Legislature has finished its work this session on the state budget for the coming year. But the state is far from having a final spending plan.
Now work on the state operating budget shifts to a special session that begins Tuesday.
The House on Thursday agreed 61-37 to the Senate-passed House Bill 1, which fully funds health care priorities but would cut most state agencies by nearly 25 percent if additional revenue isn’t raised to plug the hole that the state faces when temporary tax measures expire June 30.
“By passing this bill our constituents will see very clearly laid out what is not funded,” said House Appropriations Chair Cameron Henry, R-Metairie.

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The Legislature begins a two-week special session on Tuesday, with an eye likely on partially extending a portion of a temporary one-cent sales tax that was passed in 2016 as a “bridge” to a more permanent solution to the state’s rocky finances.
Lawmakers have since had multiple sessions that have ended without a replacement plan.
“Do we need to raise some money? Yes,” he said. “I think it’s time to do that.”

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Henry said he thinks that the budget approved Thursday helps lawmakers make their case for any taxes they may support.
The popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students would be funded at 70 percent under the current budget plan, meaning student scholarships wouldn’t cover the current tuition levels. Higher education in general would be cut by more than 10 percent. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration has said that the budget proposed would end the food stamps program in Louisiana, shutter state parks and museums, cause mass layoffs in state government and possibly put children in danger by cutting funding for child welfare programs.
Edwards, a Democrat, has declined to say whether he intends to veto the budget but has said that he will prevent HB1 in its current posture as is heading to his desk from becoming law.
Lawmakers have until June 4 to try to address the looming “fiscal cliff” and replace funding gaps in the budget adopted.
Check back with The Advocate for more details.