Two weeks into his first term, Governor John Bel Edwards has announced his plan to handle the state’s looming $800 million budget shortfall. The plan, which combines tax hikes and some cuts was publicly released last week. 
Gov. Edwards is expected to call a special session of the Legislature for February 14th, sending his plan to the floor for a debate and vote. House Speaker Taylor Barras (R-New Iberia) has yet to name pivotal committee chairs, which could determine the course of the passage of the Edwards plan. 
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne sent a letter to leaders of Colleges and Universities around Louisiana, asking them to prepare for a $131 million cut within the current semester. 
LSU President and Chancellor F. King Alexander released a plan that called for a $690 raise in Student Fees, a layoff of 10 percent of Faculty, a layoff of 14 percent of support staff, and the cutting of 275 courses currently offered. 
Dardenne, however, is optimistic that a solution can be reached and the Legislature will avoid the impending financial collapse.
“This is a worse case scenario, and hopefully we won’t have to cut that $131 million,” he said.