Sue Lincoln Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Louisiana Budget Project

August 15, 2017

Cassidy wants cuts to care

Sen. Bill Cassidy remains committed to ending the Medicaid expansion that is covering more than 430,000 low-income Louisianans, eliminating individual market subsidies for middle-income people and capping and cutting the traditional Medicaid program.

Number of the Day

1,639 - Full-time staff positions eliminated at the Department of Children and Family Services from the 2008 fiscal year to the 2017 fiscal year. A recent audit showed the cuts led to high caseloads and improper oversight of the foster care program. (Source: House Fiscal Division via LBP)

August 14, 2017

The case for free community college

Louisiana has one of the most generous college scholarship programs in the country - TOPS - which covers in-state tuition for anyone who finishes high school with a 2.5 grade point average and a 20 or above on their ACT. But as The Advocate’s Mark Ballard reports, it’s a different story for students in the state’s community and technical colleges.

Number of the Day

$1.5 billion - State budget shortfall estimate for 2018-19 fiscal year (Source: Office of Planning and Budget via AP)

April 18, 2017

Here comes the CAT

The centerpiece of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ tax reform plan - a new tax on corporate sales, or Commercial Activity Tax - was revealed late Monday with the filing of House Bill 628 by Rep. Sam Jones of Franklin.

Number of the Day

15.1 - Number of days the state could stay afloat using all of the money in the Rainy Day Fund, down from 69.3 days in 2007 (Source: The Pew Charitable Trusts)