BATON ROUGE (AP) — The two special sessions called by Gov. John Bel Edwards to help stabilize Louisiana's finances cost taxpayers at least $1.8 million.
During the two sessions on taxes held this year, lawmakers raised about $1.5 billion to shrink holes in the current year budget.
WAFB-TV’s Kevin Frey reports the House and Senate ran up costs of about $1.3 million for the first session, much of it for the $157 paid daily to lawmakers.
House members received about $418,000 and Senate lawmakers received $153,000 during the first session. Among other charges, legislative staff overtime and extra hours cost $228,000. Printing carried a price tag of $32,000.
The shorter second session cost the Senate $196,000. The House was still adding up its costs, but WAFB says the daily per diem will cost around $300,000
