(AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal ordered a partial freeze Thursday on state spending for travel, supplies, contracts and nonessential services in most state government agencies, as Louisiana struggles with its second deficit this year.Economists haven’t given a formal projection of the shortfall in the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. But estimates range from $100 million to more than $400 million, and lawmakers and the Jindal administration already are preparing agencies for another round of budget cuts, on top of $248 million in reductions Jindal ordered earlier this year.”The responsible approach is to begin planning now and to begin reducing expenditures now,” said Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis, the governor’s top budget adviser. “If it’s non-critical spending, we need to curtail it immediately. It’s imperative that we aggressively pursue savings.”
Governor Jindal orders partial La. spending freeze on nonessentials
March 24, 2010