BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana's state senators have agreed to use $328 million in patchwork financing to help fill gaps in this year's budget, sending the proposals to the House for consideration.
The Senate voted 38-0 Wednesday for both measures, to tap into $128 million from the "rainy day" fund and to redirect $200 million in Gulf oil spill money to the operating budget.
With those votes, Senate President John Alario says the Senate has done all the work it can for now to help rebalance the budget, which has a gap ranging from $850 million to $950 million. The hole must be closed by June 30.
Tax increases and most budget bills must start in the House, which hasn't yet voted on legislation sought by Gov. John Bel Edwards for the special session.
– by AP Reporter Melinda Deslatte
