Tough Work Ahead as Lawmakers Move into Week 2 of Special Session

Lawmakers kick off week 2 of the special legislative session to deal with the budget.

The House Ways and Means Committee will again take a look at the list of tax measures, but so far, no meaningful budget bill has come out of the committee. Governor John Bel Edwards is asking legislators to increase taxes to address a 900-million dollar deficit that must be closed by June 30th.

House Republicans oppose tax increases and they are looking for the Edwards administration to cut government spending over the long term.

Votes could come as early as tomorrow on some of the bills before the Ways and Means committee. Many of the bills increase taxes on several fronts including alcohol and cigarettes. Other measures would also raise corporate and income tax rates.

The big debate centers on the Governor's call for a once cent sales tax increase which would generate more than 200-million dollars in the final three months of this fiscal year.