PART I
Where we are and how we got here
The state’s budget malady is the worst Louisiana has seen since the 1980s oil bust. The Legislature and new Gov. John Bel Edwards face an immediate, stupendous shortfall for the current year and even bigger ticket problems next year and in the long term. The governor is recommending major revenue increases to help solve the problem.
The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana recommends that the governor and the Legislature submit strong and specific assurances for budget cuts, controls and cost containments prior to approving tax increases. If additional revenues are to be extracted from business and individuals, then those taxpayers have a right to know what kind of government spending envi- ronment state leaders intend to promote. This point is par- ticularly important because the tax debate in the special session comes before the budget process in the regular session.
The governor and the Legislature should submit strong and specific assurances for budget cuts, controls and cost containments prior to improving tax increases.
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