The republican controlled legislature struck out in its special session and ended the session still in deficit to the tune of $30 million according to reports coming out of that body. The state House did a poor job of moving legislation and sending it to the Senate timely for a vote. It was reported some of the bills that passed were so tardy the senate did not have time to debate and therefore no one really knows what those bills will really produce.
The state legislature mimics the republican controlled congress more and more by failing to work with a democratic administration at a time of great need. Governor Edwards said, "This was not our best day" and expressed disappointment in the failure to find a way to address the problems. He also said the legislature's lackadaisical approach will make the upcoming session a grueling one. Five of the governor's key proposals to help solve the fiscal crisis did not even pass.
Clearly, there is no progressive leadership in the republican controlled House and very few serious public servants. In my commentary dated 1/23/16 titled, Louisiana, The state We Are In, I made the following statement. "This writer will be surprised if the republicans will cooperate and work with Edwards and only time will tell." Well, the special session is history now and the republicans did not prove that statement wrong.
But they will have another chance to do so in the regular session coming up shortly. Lets see if they can get this one right with positive action that will put the budget problem back on a fiscally sound footing and into the future.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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