Gov. John Bel Edwards faced a difficult year; from cuts in higher education to the great August flood. Edwards recounted the highs and lows of 2016 during his year-in-review press conference Wednesday hosted at the Governor’s Mansion.

Edwards said that one of his proudest accomplishments of 2016 was signing an executive order to expand Louisiana’s Medcaid program.

Despite higher education being a prominent issue throughout 2016, Edwards said that he and the legislature were able to stabilize funding.

The issue of higher education and TOPS funding will continue to follow Edwards into the new year; however, he is hopeful that the legislature will continue to work with him toward a more stable solution.

Edwards looks forward to the challenges ahead in 2017 and said the state was in a good position to succeed.