1 00:00:10,133 --> 00:00:12,700 >>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS 2 00:00:12,700 --> 00:00:15,000 PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR 3 00:00:15,000 --> 00:00:18,033 EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC 4 00:00:18,033 --> 00:00:21,233 BROADCASTING AND FROM VIEWERS 5 00:00:21,233 --> 00:00:43,700 LIKE YOU. 6 00:00:43,700 --> 00:00:46,500 >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO 7 00:00:46,500 --> 00:00:47,333 "LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE," I'M 8 00:00:47,333 --> 00:00:49,433 BETH COURTNEY, PRESIDENT OF 9 00:00:49,433 --> 00:00:51,133 LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING. 10 00:00:51,133 --> 00:00:52,567 >> AND I'M ROBERT TRAVIS SCOTT, 11 00:00:52,567 --> 00:00:55,500 PRESIDENT OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS 12 00:00:55,500 --> 00:00:59,433 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF LOUISIANA. 13 00:00:59,433 --> 00:01:01,000 AFTER JOHN BEL EDWARDS IN 14 00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,267 AUGURATION, HE CALLED PEOPLE TO 15 00:01:03,267 --> 00:01:08,000 TAKE ACTION ON A $2 BILLION 16 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:08,400 SHORTFALL. 17 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:11,000 >> THEY GOT TO WORK AFTER 18 00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:13,100 VALENTINE'S DAY AND WORKED 19 00:01:13,100 --> 00:01:15,367 THROUGH A SPECIAL SESSION AND 20 00:01:15,367 --> 00:01:19,033 ANOTHER THREE-WEEK SPECIAL 21 00:01:19,033 --> 00:01:19,400 SESSION. 22 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:21,867 >> THEY WERE CORRECTING HASTY 23 00:01:21,867 --> 00:01:23,133 LAWS THAT WERE PASSED. 24 00:01:23,133 --> 00:01:25,100 >> THEY WERE IN SESSION A VERY 25 00:01:25,100 --> 00:01:26,267 LONG TIME. 26 00:01:26,267 --> 00:01:28,433 HOW DID THE LENGTH OF TIME AT 27 00:01:28,433 --> 00:01:30,367 THE CAPITOL AFFECT THE LAWS 28 00:01:30,367 --> 00:01:31,033 BEING MADE? 29 00:01:31,033 --> 00:01:33,133 ARE THE STATE'S SPENDING 30 00:01:33,133 --> 00:01:34,333 PRIORITIES IN THE RIGHT PLACE? 31 00:01:34,333 --> 00:01:36,667 OVER THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL HEAR 32 00:01:36,667 --> 00:01:39,467 FROM FAMILIES WHO RELY ON STATE 33 00:01:39,467 --> 00:01:42,167 SERVICES FOR THEIR CHILDREN, 34 00:01:42,167 --> 00:01:44,100 LAWMAKERS WHO CALLED THE SHOTS 35 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:48,100 AND BUSINESS OWNERS CONCERNED. 36 00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:52,200 WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS ON 37 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:53,000 "REGULAR AND EXTRAORDINARY: 38 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:53,567 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW." 39 00:01:53,567 --> 00:01:55,367 >>> OF ALL THE FUNDING DECISIONS 40 00:01:55,367 --> 00:01:56,467 LAWMAKERS MADE DURING THE THREE 41 00:01:56,467 --> 00:01:59,000 SESSIONS THIS YEAR, THE STATE'S 42 00:01:59,000 --> 00:02:00,400 COLLE 43 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:04,400 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, 44 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:08,300 "TOPS," WILL SEE THE BIGGEST 45 00:02:08,300 --> 00:02:08,600 CUT. 46 00:02:08,600 --> 00:02:10,267 >> WE DO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET 47 00:02:10,267 --> 00:02:12,467 BUT THE POINT IS, WE DO NOT HAVE 48 00:02:12,467 --> 00:02:15,267 ENOUGH MONEY TO FUNDS EVERYTHING 49 00:02:15,267 --> 00:02:17,967 THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN THE 50 00:02:17,967 --> 00:02:18,567 PREVIOUS YEAR. 51 00:02:18,567 --> 00:02:22,633 THERE WILL BE CUTS UPON VARIOUS 52 00:02:22,633 --> 00:02:24,967 STATE AGEAGENCIES. 53 00:02:24,967 --> 00:02:30,300 >> THEY WERE ALLOCATED 70% OF 54 00:02:30,300 --> 00:02:31,200 THEY NEED. 55 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,933 THEY WOULD FULLY FUND IT IN THE 56 00:02:33,933 --> 00:02:35,167 FULL SEMESTER. 57 00:02:35,167 --> 00:02:37,033 COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR 58 00:02:37,033 --> 00:02:38,533 PARENTS MAY HAVE TO COME UP WITH 59 00:02:38,533 --> 00:02:43,633 THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TUITION. 60 00:02:43,633 --> 00:02:45,067 LAWMAKERS WERE WILLING TO TAKE 61 00:02:45,067 --> 00:02:46,967 THAT BET BECAUSE THEY THINK 62 00:02:46,967 --> 00:02:48,500 THERE'S POTENTIALLY MORE MONEY 63 00:02:48,500 --> 00:02:50,833 ON THE WAY. 64 00:02:50,833 --> 00:02:54,233 ZORA NEALE LEADS THE COMMITTEE. 65 00:02:54,233 --> 00:02:56,533 HE SAID AS MUCH AFTER VOTING TO 66 00:02:56,533 --> 00:02:57,400 PUT RESTRICTIONS. 67 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,600 >> THERE ARE MANY, MANY 68 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:03,733 OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST. 69 00:03:03,733 --> 00:03:05,067 THE [INDISCERNIBLE] SO WE'RE 70 00:03:05,067 --> 00:03:06,967 GOING TO GENERATE ALREADY FROM 71 00:03:06,967 --> 00:03:08,867 THE PRICE OF OIL. 72 00:03:08,867 --> 00:03:11,067 >> ABRAMSON SAID HE THOUGHT SOME 73 00:03:11,067 --> 00:03:15,867 OF THE ONES PASSED WOULD BRING 74 00:03:15,867 --> 00:03:16,967 IN MORE MONEY. 75 00:03:16,967 --> 00:03:19,633 >> FROM A LEGISLATURE'S 76 00:03:19,633 --> 00:03:24,233 STANDPOINT, OBVIOUSLY, TO REDUCE 77 00:03:24,233 --> 00:03:26,433 THE TAXES OR MONEY TO BE RAISED 78 00:03:26,433 --> 00:03:28,533 IN NEW TAXES, YOU WANT TO SAY, 79 00:03:28,533 --> 00:03:30,233 WE'RE GOING TO GET MONEY COMING 80 00:03:30,233 --> 00:03:30,933 LATER ON. 81 00:03:30,933 --> 00:03:33,667 WE HAVE TO BE CONSERVATIVE AND 82 00:03:33,667 --> 00:03:36,933 WE GAUGE THOSE x 83 00:03:36,933 --> 00:03:37,400 EXPECTATIONS. 84 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:38,900 SO KED UP,pxx 85 00:03:38,900 --> 00:03:41,300 DID THE NUMBER OF VOTES 86 00:03:41,300 --> 00:03:43,133 LAWMAKERS WERE ASKED. 87 00:03:43,133 --> 00:03:47,000 THEY RAISED $1.5 BILLION. 88 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,200 TO ETHINK IT'S 89 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:53,933 .FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS@Q|| 90 00:03:53,933 --> 00:03:56,900 TOLD REPRESENTATIVE ROB 91 00:03:56,900 --> 00:03:58,867 SHADOIN, WHO WAS PROMOTING A 92 00:03:58,867 --> 00:04:03,567 REVENUE BILL AROUND WEEK 17, 93 00:04:03,567 --> 00:04:05,700 THAT LAWMAKERS NEED TO SEE THE 94 00:04:05,700 --> 00:04:06,400 DUST SETTLE. 95 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:08,167 >> IT'S JUST REALLY HARD FOR ME 96 00:04:08,167 --> 00:04:11,833 TO GO BACK HOME BECAUSE I 97 00:04:11,833 --> 00:04:14,267 HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT 98 00:04:14,267 --> 00:04:16,267 SINCE WE GET STARTED. 99 00:04:16,267 --> 00:04:18,800 >> YOU MEAN, GO BACK HOME? 100 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:19,200 [LAUGHTER] 101 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,067 >> THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED ME, I 102 00:04:21,067 --> 00:04:21,967 FEEL THEIR PAIN RIGHT NOW. 103 00:04:21,967 --> 00:04:24,367 >> IT WAS ECHOED BY STEPHEN 104 00:04:24,367 --> 00:04:26,033 WAGUESPACK, PRESIDENT OF THE 105 00:04:26,033 --> 00:04:27,033 LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF 106 00:04:27,033 --> 00:04:28,467 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. 107 00:04:28,467 --> 00:04:30,500 HE SAYS OIL PRICES HAVE CAUSED A 108 00:04:30,500 --> 00:04:31,867 DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY. 109 00:04:31,867 --> 00:04:33,333 >> THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE THAT 110 00:04:33,333 --> 00:04:34,033 ARE HURTING. 111 00:04:34,033 --> 00:04:36,467 WE ARE 16,000 JOBS DOWN. 112 00:04:36,467 --> 00:04:38,633 WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT. 113 00:04:38,633 --> 00:04:41,000 WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SIX 114 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:41,333 MONTHS. 115 00:04:41,333 --> 00:04:42,933 >> IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO 116 00:04:42,933 --> 00:04:45,800 CONSIDER TAX POLICY CHANGES THAT 117 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:48,700 SOME CONSIDER REFORM. 118 00:04:48,700 --> 00:04:51,867 JULIE STOKES EXPRESSED 119 00:04:51,867 --> 00:04:52,300 FRUSTRATION. 120 00:04:52,300 --> 00:04:54,067 >> WE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT 121 00:04:54,067 --> 00:04:55,500 THIS BUDGET PROBLEM LONG ENOUGH 122 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:59,400 TO DO ANYTHING REALLY GOOD. 123 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:04,233 >> SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN ALARIO. 124 00:05:04,233 --> 00:05:06,100 >> WE HAVE TO STABILIZE THE 125 00:05:06,100 --> 00:05:09,000 REVENUE SOURCES AND TRY TO BE 126 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:09,300 FAIR. 127 00:05:09,300 --> 00:05:10,367 >> DARDENNE SAYS THE BUDGET 128 00:05:10,367 --> 00:05:12,600 FIRST NEEDED TO BE STABILIZED. 129 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,200 NEXT SESSION, THE ADMINISTRATION 130 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,800 IS GEARING UP TO MAKE STRUCTURAL 131 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:19,167 CHANGES. 132 00:05:19,167 --> 00:05:20,433 >> THEY HAVE REVENUES UP AND 133 00:05:20,433 --> 00:05:22,600 DOWN AND CHANGES IN ITS TAX CODE 134 00:05:22,600 --> 00:05:25,000 THAT HAVEN'T BEEN STRUCTURAL 135 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:25,767 CHANGES. 136 00:05:25,767 --> 00:05:27,733 THEY'VE BEEN CHANGES WE NEEDED 137 00:05:27,733 --> 00:05:28,900 TO MAKE. 138 00:05:28,900 --> 00:05:31,100 >> IN THE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION, 139 00:05:31,100 --> 00:05:35,067 ON TO CKED ANOTHER 140 00:05:35,067 --> 00:05:39,800 4% SALES TAX, MAKING MORE 141 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,033 GOODS TAXABLE. 142 00:05:42,033 --> 00:05:44,233 THEY ACCIDENTALLY DOING OFF MORE 143 00:05:44,233 --> 00:05:46,367 EXEMPTIONS THAN THEY WANTED TO, 144 00:05:46,367 --> 00:05:49,233 THAT CAUSED MORE CONFUSION ON 145 00:05:49,233 --> 00:05:51,333 PRODUCE.SH IT WOULD 146 00:05:51,333 --> 00:05:54,167 IN THE 2018 SESSION, LAWMAKERS 147 00:05:54,167 --> 00:05:58,333 WILL BE LOOKING AT LEAST $1.1 148 00:05:58,333 --> 00:05:59,667 BILLION SHORTFALL IN FUNDING. 149 00:05:59,667 --> 00:06:01,500 >> IT CREATES THIS TERRIBLE 150 00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:03,467 CLIFF AND WE'RE IN THE SAME SOUP 151 00:06:03,467 --> 00:06:05,900 OF HAVING THE CRISIS OF NOT 152 00:06:05,900 --> 00:06:07,333 HAVING ADEQUATE AVENUE. 153 00:06:07,333 --> 00:06:09,667 THE PLAN AND HOPE IS NEXT YEAR, 154 00:06:09,667 --> 00:06:12,733 THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES WILL 155 00:06:12,733 --> 00:06:14,800 ADDRESS THE CLIFF PROBLEM AND 156 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:20,933 UNDO SOME OF THE TEMPORARY 157 00:06:20,933 --> 00:06:21,267 FIXES. 158 00:06:21,267 --> 00:06:23,100 >> DARDENNE SAYS THEY ARE 159 00:06:23,100 --> 00:06:25,667 WALKING A FINE LINE BETWEEN 160 00:06:25,667 --> 00:06:27,733 BEING SENSITIVE TO THE ECONOMY. 161 00:06:27,733 --> 00:06:32,000 >> IT IS A BALANCING ACT. 162 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:33,300 WHAT'S THE RIGHT MIX OF BEING 163 00:06:33,300 --> 00:06:39,900 FAIR TO EVERYONE AND NOT BEING 164 00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:41,300 LIKE THAT. 165 00:06:41,300 --> 00:06:45,233 TO HAVE A BALANCE, BROAD-BASED 166 00:06:45,233 --> 00:06:47,833 TAX STUCKTURE, YOU HAVE TO HIT 167 00:06:47,833 --> 00:06:49,667 THE VARIOUS ENTITIES. 168 00:06:49,667 --> 00:06:52,733 >> ALL EYES ON THE STUDY 169 00:06:52,733 --> 00:06:53,900 COMMISSION LEAD BY DR. JIM 170 00:06:53,900 --> 00:06:54,333 RICHARDSON. 171 00:06:54,333 --> 00:06:56,933 THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RELEASE 172 00:06:56,933 --> 00:06:59,167 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TAX CODE 173 00:06:59,167 --> 00:07:00,067 THIS FALL. 174 00:07:00,067 --> 00:07:03,267 >> JOINING US TO EXPLORE THE 175 00:07:03,267 --> 00:07:04,033 "REGULAR AND EXTRAORDINARY: 176 00:07:04,033 --> 00:07:04,767 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW" IS OUR 177 00:07:04,767 --> 00:07:07,333 STUDIO AUDIENCE, IT INCLUDES 178 00:07:07,333 --> 00:07:10,433 COLLEGE STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND 179 00:07:10,433 --> 00:07:10,833 ACTIVISTS. 180 00:07:10,833 --> 00:07:14,433 WE HAVE THE ADVISORY COUNCIL 181 00:07:14,433 --> 00:07:16,633 FROM NEW ORLEANS AND RAYNE. 182 00:07:16,633 --> 00:07:18,300 IT'S BEEN NOTED HOW DIFFICULT IT 183 00:07:18,300 --> 00:07:19,767 WAS TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE 184 00:07:19,767 --> 00:07:21,600 NUMBERS SURROUNDING THE SESSION. 185 00:07:21,600 --> 00:07:23,100 SO LET'S START THERE. 186 00:07:23,100 --> 00:07:26,000 HERE'S THE BEST APPLES TO APPLES 187 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,067 COMPARISON WE CAN MAKE BASED ON 188 00:07:28,067 --> 00:07:29,467 THE FIGURES. 189 00:07:29,467 --> 00:07:31,067 FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR, THE 190 00:07:31,067 --> 00:07:32,600 STATE'S COLLEGES AND 191 00:07:32,600 --> 00:07:34,100 UNIVERSITIES WILL SEE A 2% 192 00:07:34,100 --> 00:07:35,700 INCREASE IN THEIR FUNDING OVER 193 00:07:35,700 --> 00:07:40,733 LAST YEAR BY ABOUT $40 MILLION. 194 00:07:40,733 --> 00:07:43,833 K THROUGH 12 WILL SEE A DROP OF 195 00:07:43,833 --> 00:07:44,633 $16 MILLION. 196 00:07:44,633 --> 00:07:46,033 THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF 197 00:07:46,033 --> 00:07:49,033 HEALTH WILL SEE AN INCREASE OF 198 00:07:49,033 --> 00:07:51,467 8%, $280 MILLION. 199 00:07:51,467 --> 00:07:52,767 LAWMAKERS HAVE LEFT THE 200 00:07:52,767 --> 00:07:54,833 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS 1% 201 00:07:54,833 --> 00:07:56,800 SHORT, $6 MILLION. 202 00:07:56,800 --> 00:07:58,933 THOSE NUMBERS DON'T PAINT THE 203 00:07:58,933 --> 00:08:00,167 ENTIRE PICTURE. 204 00:08:00,167 --> 00:08:01,967 WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK SHOULD 205 00:08:01,967 --> 00:08:03,000 HAVE BEEN FUNDING? 206 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:06,000 WHAT TAX INCREASES ARE YOU 207 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,533 EXPECTING OR IS THIS A SPENDING 208 00:08:08,533 --> 00:08:10,533 PROBLEM? 209 00:08:10,533 --> 00:08:14,700 SO, TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU 210 00:08:14,700 --> 00:08:15,033 THINK? 211 00:08:15,033 --> 00:08:16,533 YOU WERE MONITORING THIS AS PART 212 00:08:16,533 --> 00:08:19,233 OF THE LOUISIANA BUDGET PROJECT, 213 00:08:19,233 --> 00:08:20,767 IS THAT RIGHT? 214 00:08:20,767 --> 00:08:22,533 >> I THINK FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, 215 00:08:22,533 --> 00:08:26,167 OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE 216 00:08:26,167 --> 00:08:27,667 SOLUTIONS THAT WERE DEVELOPED 217 00:08:27,667 --> 00:08:29,700 WILL CREATE A PROBLEM IN THE 218 00:08:29,700 --> 00:08:32,833 NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AND THAT 219 00:08:32,833 --> 00:08:34,333 ALSO, WHILE THERE WEREN'T A LOT 220 00:08:34,333 --> 00:08:36,400 OF OPTIONS FOR HOW TO FILL 221 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:38,833 BUDGET HOLES QUICKLY, THOSE THAT 222 00:08:38,833 --> 00:08:41,067 WERE CHOSEN ARE OPTIONS THAT 223 00:08:41,067 --> 00:08:42,833 AFFECT YOUR LOWEST INCOME FOLKS 224 00:08:42,833 --> 00:08:45,700 IN THE STATE MORE THAN ANYONE 225 00:08:45,700 --> 00:08:46,133 ELSE. 226 00:08:46,133 --> 00:08:47,133 AND WHEN THERE WERE 227 00:08:47,133 --> 00:08:50,867 OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT INTO PLACE 228 00:08:50,867 --> 00:08:53,533 POLICIES THAT WOULD ACTUALLY 229 00:08:53,533 --> 00:08:56,700 DISTRIBUTE THAT BURDEN WHERE 230 00:08:56,700 --> 00:08:59,000 PROGRESSIVELY, LEGISLATURES WERE 231 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:00,033 UNWILLING TO PURSUE THEM. 232 00:09:00,033 --> 00:09:02,233 >> SO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE 233 00:09:02,233 --> 00:09:03,900 RAISED REVENUE IN DIFFERENT WAYS 234 00:09:03,900 --> 00:09:05,367 AND NOT WITH THE SALES TAX? 235 00:09:05,367 --> 00:09:08,133 DO YOU THINK THAT WAS A BAD 236 00:09:08,133 --> 00:09:08,467 IDEA? 237 00:09:08,467 --> 00:09:10,100 >> DEFINITELY WITH THE SALES 238 00:09:10,100 --> 00:09:10,467 TAX. 239 00:09:10,467 --> 00:09:12,000 >> IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A LOT OF 240 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:14,233 QUICK MONEY COMING UP THERE. 241 00:09:14,233 --> 00:09:18,500 JAY, YOU ARE A BUSINESSMAN AND 242 00:09:18,500 --> 00:09:19,167 REPRESENTING LOUISIANA 243 00:09:19,167 --> 00:09:20,333 ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND 244 00:09:20,333 --> 00:09:20,733 INDUSTRY. 245 00:09:20,733 --> 00:09:21,867 HOW DID YOU SEE THIS SESSION 246 00:09:21,867 --> 00:09:24,933 GOING AND DO YOU AGREE WITH 247 00:09:24,933 --> 00:09:25,267 JANAY? 248 00:09:25,267 --> 00:09:27,300 >> TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. 249 00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:30,200 THE LEGISLATURES WERE PUT IN A 250 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:31,700 VERY DIFFICULT POSITION IN A 251 00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:33,467 VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND I 252 00:09:33,467 --> 00:09:35,467 THINK THEIR GOAL WAS TO CREATE A 253 00:09:35,467 --> 00:09:36,900 BRIDGE TO GET TO [INDISCERNIBLE] 254 00:09:36,900 --> 00:09:39,967 FARM AND WHAT THEY DID, EVEN 255 00:09:39,967 --> 00:09:41,867 THOUGH VERY DISTASTEFUL AND 256 00:09:41,867 --> 00:09:43,300 UNPLEASANT AND COSTLY TO 257 00:09:43,300 --> 00:09:44,767 BUSINESS AT A TIME AND 258 00:09:44,767 --> 00:09:46,467 BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING, IT 259 00:09:46,467 --> 00:09:48,600 WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE 260 00:09:48,600 --> 00:09:50,167 DONE IN A SHORT-TERM BASIS WITH 261 00:09:50,167 --> 00:09:52,933 THE REALITY THAT WE MUST DO 262 00:09:52,933 --> 00:09:53,267 REFORM. 263 00:09:53,267 --> 00:09:54,467 AND REFORM'S GOT TO TAKE PLACE 264 00:09:54,467 --> 00:09:57,300 IN A REGULAR SESSION NEXT YEAR, 265 00:09:57,300 --> 00:09:58,167 WHICH IS A FISCAL YEAR. 266 00:09:58,167 --> 00:09:59,133 >> OKAY. 267 00:09:59,133 --> 00:10:03,033 WELL, YOU KNOW -- YES, GO AHEAD, 268 00:10:03,033 --> 00:10:03,367 EDGAR? 269 00:10:03,367 --> 00:10:05,533 >> TO SAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S 270 00:10:05,533 --> 00:10:09,067 PUT IN A POSITION FOR A SHORT 271 00:10:09,067 --> 00:10:11,900 PERIOD IS MAYBE AN ACCURATE 272 00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:13,500 STATEMENT BUT THIS DID NOT 273 00:10:13,500 --> 00:10:14,633 HAPPEN IN A FIRST SPECIAL 274 00:10:14,633 --> 00:10:15,000 SESSION. 275 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:17,400 IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN 276 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:19,533 PREVIOUS SESSIONS BEFORE. 277 00:10:19,533 --> 00:10:21,267 >> IT HAS TAKING US YEARS TO GET 278 00:10:21,267 --> 00:10:22,967 IN THIS BAD OF SHAPE, IS WHAT 279 00:10:22,967 --> 00:10:23,633 YOU'RE SAYING? 280 00:10:23,633 --> 00:10:24,433 >> ABSOLUTELY. 281 00:10:24,433 --> 00:10:26,500 I AGREE THAT THE SALES TAX 282 00:10:26,500 --> 00:10:29,600 INCREASE, THE MOST PROGRESSIVE 283 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:31,167 FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOW INCOME 284 00:10:31,167 --> 00:10:32,900 AND LITTLE MEANS. 285 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:35,833 OUR COMMUNITY, TOGETHER WITH 286 00:10:35,833 --> 00:10:37,967 LOUISIANA, WE UNDERSTOOD -- WE 287 00:10:37,967 --> 00:10:38,633 DIDN'T LIKE IT. 288 00:10:38,633 --> 00:10:41,533 BUT THIS IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF 289 00:10:41,533 --> 00:10:43,400 REVENUE YOU CAN GET QUICKLY. 290 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:45,867 WE NEEDED IT FOR THE LAST FISCAL 291 00:10:45,867 --> 00:10:47,533 YEAR SO WE DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT 292 00:10:47,533 --> 00:10:51,533 WE DIDN'T OPPOSE IT BECAUSE THE 293 00:10:51,533 --> 00:10:52,467 ADMINISTRATION HAD NOTHING -- 294 00:10:52,467 --> 00:10:54,633 >> QUICK REVENUE IS WHAT YOU'RE 295 00:10:54,633 --> 00:10:55,700 SAYING. 296 00:10:55,700 --> 00:10:56,033 NATHAN? 297 00:10:56,033 --> 00:10:58,733 >> I HAVE TO AGREE WITH EDGAR'S 298 00:10:58,733 --> 00:10:59,700 STATEMENT. 299 00:10:59,700 --> 00:11:01,300 ANYBODY WHO THINKS THIS WOULD BE 300 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:03,500 A LONG-TERM FIX IS MAYBE FOOLING 301 00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:05,300 THEMSELVES AND IT'S JUST A 302 00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:07,967 BRIDGE TO GET TO THE TAX REFORM 303 00:11:07,967 --> 00:11:10,933 OF THE NEXT SESSION. 304 00:11:10,933 --> 00:11:12,633 IMPORTANTLY TO NOTE IS OVER 305 00:11:12,633 --> 00:11:14,467 EIGHT YEARS OF CUTS OR THINGS 306 00:11:14,467 --> 00:11:16,967 LIKE THAT, WE CAN'T LET THE NEW 307 00:11:16,967 --> 00:11:18,433 NORMAL DEFINE OUR EXPECTATIONS 308 00:11:18,433 --> 00:11:20,067 SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING 309 00:11:20,067 --> 00:11:22,833 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, FUNDING 310 00:11:22,833 --> 00:11:26,000 FROM FOUR YEARS PRIOR, WE NEED 311 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:27,633 TO KEEP IN CHECK WHETHER THAT 312 00:11:27,633 --> 00:11:30,600 WAS ACCEPTABLE TO BEGIN WITH. 313 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:37,233 >> YOU'RE FRESHLY GRADUATED 314 00:11:37,233 --> 00:11:37,633 ECONOMIST. 315 00:11:37,633 --> 00:11:38,133 >> YES. 316 00:11:38,133 --> 00:11:39,733 >> WE HAVE STUDENTS HERE. 317 00:11:39,733 --> 00:11:41,633 I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM STUDENTS 318 00:11:41,633 --> 00:11:44,200 ON WHAT THEIR VIEW IS -- 319 00:11:44,200 --> 00:11:47,267 PERSPECTIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS, 320 00:11:47,267 --> 00:11:49,467 WHAT YOUR VIEW IS ON "TOPS." 321 00:11:49,467 --> 00:11:51,600 ARE ANY OF YOU AFFECTED BY THIS 322 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:54,733 OR DO YOU HAVE A VIEW ABOUT 323 00:11:54,733 --> 00:11:57,767 WHETHER THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA OR 324 00:11:57,767 --> 00:11:58,300 NOT? 325 00:11:58,300 --> 00:11:59,100 LAYA, TAYLOR? 326 00:11:59,100 --> 00:12:00,767 >> I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T 327 00:12:00,767 --> 00:12:02,000 NECESSARILY LIKE IT BUT WE DON'T 328 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:03,733 HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE EITHER 329 00:12:03,733 --> 00:12:05,433 BECAUSE THE CUTS CAN ONLY COME 330 00:12:05,433 --> 00:12:09,767 FROM SO MANY PLACES. 331 00:12:09,767 --> 00:12:11,400 >> AND IN OTHER WORDS, YOU 332 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,400 THOUGHT IT WAS A NATURAL 333 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:14,767 PLACE -- 334 00:12:14,767 --> 00:12:17,200 >> IT SHOULD BE BETTER. 335 00:12:17,200 --> 00:12:19,733 WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CUT FROM 336 00:12:19,733 --> 00:12:22,033 "TOPS"S AND HOSPITALS BUT THEY 337 00:12:22,033 --> 00:12:23,400 HAD TO DO IT QUICK. 338 00:12:23,400 --> 00:12:25,367 >> JUSTIN HERE IS BOTH A 339 00:12:25,367 --> 00:12:27,000 STUDENT, COLLEGE STUDENT, AND HE 340 00:12:27,000 --> 00:12:29,033 WAS A JOURNALIST WORKING THROUGH 341 00:12:29,033 --> 00:12:31,333 THE MANSHIP SCHOOL, COVERING THE 342 00:12:31,333 --> 00:12:31,667 SESSION. 343 00:12:31,667 --> 00:12:34,133 SO, ARE YOU AFFECTED? 344 00:12:34,133 --> 00:12:37,400 >> I JUST GRADUATED. 345 00:12:37,400 --> 00:12:39,633 >> YOU GOT OUT JUST IN TIME. 346 00:12:39,633 --> 00:12:40,067 [LAUGHTER] 347 00:12:40,067 --> 00:12:42,400 >> I WROTE A COLUMN ABOUT MY 348 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:44,067 EXPERIENCE AT THE CAPITOL. 349 00:12:44,067 --> 00:12:47,867 AYEAR AGO, I SAID WE SHOULD FUND 350 00:12:47,867 --> 00:12:48,200 "TOPS." 351 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:50,500 IF MORE HOSPITALS ARE ON THE 352 00:12:50,500 --> 00:12:52,800 CHOPPING BLOCK, I WOULD ARGUE 353 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:54,133 THAT "TOPS" SHOULD BE CUT 354 00:12:54,133 --> 00:12:55,100 INSTEAD OF HOSPITALS. 355 00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:58,400 ON TOP OF THAT, IF THE 2017 356 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:00,500 REGULAR SESSION DOES NOT PROVIDE 357 00:13:00,500 --> 00:13:02,500 TAX CODE CHANGES AND STRUCTURAL 358 00:13:02,500 --> 00:13:04,800 CHANGES ELSEWHERE WITHIN THE 359 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:05,967 CONSTITUTION, THEN "TOPS" AND 360 00:13:05,967 --> 00:13:09,133 HIGHER EDUCATION WILL CONTINUEUE 361 00:13:09,133 --> 00:13:11,100 TO BE PROBLEMS FOR OUR 362 00:13:11,100 --> 00:13:11,833 LEGISLATURE TO FACE. 363 00:13:11,833 --> 00:13:14,367 THE PROGRAM, AS IT STANDS TODAY, 364 00:13:14,367 --> 00:13:16,133 REQUIRES ADDITIONAL REFORMS FOR 365 00:13:16,133 --> 00:13:17,167 THAT TO HAPPEN. 366 00:13:17,167 --> 00:13:19,333 >> ABOUT THAT, REBECCA, YOU ARE 367 00:13:19,333 --> 00:13:23,367 A JOURNALIST COVERING -- YOU 368 00:13:23,367 --> 00:13:24,733 COVERED THIS SESSION FOR THE 369 00:13:24,733 --> 00:13:25,100 ADVOCATE. 370 00:13:25,100 --> 00:13:27,033 DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS 371 00:13:27,033 --> 00:13:27,433 ASSESSMENT? 372 00:13:27,433 --> 00:13:29,467 >> I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTICE 373 00:13:29,467 --> 00:13:31,600 THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT 374 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:33,500 "TOPS" HAS BEEN CUT AND WE'VE 375 00:13:33,500 --> 00:13:36,567 BEEN CUTTING THE STATE BUDGET 376 00:13:36,567 --> 00:13:40,700 AGGRESSIVELY FOR EIGHT OR NINE 377 00:13:40,700 --> 00:13:41,033 YEARS. 378 00:13:41,033 --> 00:13:44,600 IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN A PRIORITY. 379 00:13:44,600 --> 00:13:46,533 IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE THAT 380 00:13:46,533 --> 00:13:46,833 CUT. 381 00:13:46,833 --> 00:13:49,667 IT SHOWS HOW SEVERE THINGS HAVE 382 00:13:49,667 --> 00:13:50,000 GOTTEN. 383 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:51,967 >> WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SCOTT 384 00:13:51,967 --> 00:13:53,100 WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD 385 00:13:53,100 --> 00:13:53,567 ASSOCIATION. 386 00:13:53,567 --> 00:13:55,033 SCOTT, I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT TO 387 00:13:55,033 --> 00:13:56,967 SAY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS 388 00:13:56,967 --> 00:13:57,333 SESSION. 389 00:13:57,333 --> 00:13:58,467 ARE YOU BETTER OFF? 390 00:13:58,467 --> 00:13:59,500 ARE YOU WORSE OFF? 391 00:13:59,500 --> 00:14:01,333 >> IT'S A SAD DAY IN LOUISIANA 392 00:14:01,333 --> 00:14:04,067 WHEN K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION IS 393 00:14:04,067 --> 00:14:06,300 NOT PRIORITIZED AND NOT KEPT AT 394 00:14:06,300 --> 00:14:07,767 LEAST THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING 395 00:14:07,767 --> 00:14:09,367 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. 396 00:14:09,367 --> 00:14:11,400 ONE OF THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAYS 397 00:14:11,400 --> 00:14:13,467 FROM THIS SESSION FOR ANYBODY 398 00:14:13,467 --> 00:14:16,867 THAT'S A STAKEHOLDER IS THE FACT 399 00:14:16,867 --> 00:14:20,067 THAT BASIC SERVICES AND STATE 400 00:14:20,067 --> 00:14:24,200 GOVERNMENT WERE PITTED AGAINST 401 00:14:24,200 --> 00:14:25,567 EACH OTHER. 402 00:14:25,567 --> 00:14:28,933 HIGHER ED, HOSPITALS, CHILDREN 403 00:14:28,933 --> 00:14:32,267 WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES, K-12 404 00:14:32,267 --> 00:14:33,233 PUBLIC EDUCATION. 405 00:14:33,233 --> 00:14:34,767 PRISON SERVICES. 406 00:14:34,767 --> 00:14:36,967 BASIC SERVICES THAT STATES 407 00:14:36,967 --> 00:14:38,533 PROVIDE WERE PITTED -- ACTUALLY 408 00:14:38,533 --> 00:14:40,067 FIGHTING AGAINST EACH OTHER AT 409 00:14:40,067 --> 00:14:43,767 THE END OF THE DAY, TO TRY TO 410 00:14:43,767 --> 00:14:45,100 CHAMPION THEIR CAUSE TO MAINTAIN 411 00:14:45,100 --> 00:14:47,600 THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING. 412 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,233 >> IT OFTEN ENDS UP THAT WAY, 413 00:14:50,233 --> 00:14:53,933 THEY PIT ONE CONSTITUENTS 414 00:14:53,933 --> 00:14:55,533 AGAINST ANOTHER. 415 00:14:55,533 --> 00:14:57,400 LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE. 416 00:14:57,400 --> 00:14:59,500 WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS. 417 00:14:59,500 --> 00:15:03,267 YOU HAVE A SPECIAL INTEREST IN 418 00:15:03,267 --> 00:15:03,700 HEALTHCARE. 419 00:15:03,700 --> 00:15:04,633 KELLY OR KAREN? 420 00:15:04,633 --> 00:15:09,133 >> I HAVE A SON WHO HAS TWO 421 00:15:09,133 --> 00:15:12,500 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, DOWN 422 00:15:12,500 --> 00:15:18,567 SYNDROME AND AUTISM AND A HEART 423 00:15:18,567 --> 00:15:20,033 DEFECT. 424 00:15:20,033 --> 00:15:21,567 YOU MAY HAVE SEEN US AT THE 425 00:15:21,567 --> 00:15:24,767 CAPITOL, ADVOCATING FOR 426 00:15:24,767 --> 00:15:25,767 SERVICES, MEDICAID WAIVER 427 00:15:25,767 --> 00:15:27,167 SERVICES FOR OUR KID. 428 00:15:27,167 --> 00:15:29,300 >> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T GO WHAT 429 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:30,867 THAT MEANS. 430 00:15:30,867 --> 00:15:32,600 >> MEDICAID WAIVER IS A WAIVER 431 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,133 OF REGULAR MEDICAID RULES TO 432 00:15:35,133 --> 00:15:37,033 PROVIDE HELP AND SUPPORT TO 433 00:15:37,033 --> 00:15:38,433 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OR 434 00:15:38,433 --> 00:15:39,500 SPECIAL NEEDS. 435 00:15:39,500 --> 00:15:40,967 >> HOW DO THINKS COME OUT FROM 436 00:15:40,967 --> 00:15:42,400 YOUR POINT OF VIEW? 437 00:15:42,400 --> 00:15:45,133 >> WELL, IT WAS VERY SCARY. 438 00:15:45,133 --> 00:15:48,500 IT WAS A VERY, VERY SCARY 439 00:15:48,500 --> 00:15:50,033 SESSION FOR US. 440 00:15:50,033 --> 00:15:52,133 PERSONALLY AND FOR THE FAMILIES 441 00:15:52,133 --> 00:15:54,867 THAT I WORK WITH. 442 00:15:54,867 --> 00:15:55,500 ULTIMATELY -- 443 00:15:55,500 --> 00:15:57,133 >> SCARY BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT THE 444 00:15:57,133 --> 00:16:00,267 FUNDING WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN 445 00:16:00,267 --> 00:16:00,600 AWAY? 446 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,667 >> WE WERE PUT IN A POSITION 447 00:16:02,667 --> 00:16:06,167 WHERE WE HAD TO GO AD VTH NOT 448 00:16:06,167 --> 00:16:08,100 ONCE, BUT TWICE TO GET OUR 449 00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:09,867 SERVICES PUT BACK IN THE BUDGET. 450 00:16:09,867 --> 00:16:11,333 FIRST DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION 451 00:16:11,333 --> 00:16:13,200 TO HAVE THE FUNDED FOUND AND 452 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,767 PLACED BACK IN THE BUDGET AND 453 00:16:15,767 --> 00:16:17,800 THEN IT WAS IN HOUSE BILL 1 AND 454 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:18,233 TAKEN OUT. 455 00:16:18,233 --> 00:16:22,100 >> IN THE END, HOW DID IT TURN 456 00:16:22,100 --> 00:16:22,400 OUT? 457 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:24,433 >> THE WAIVER SERVICES WERE 458 00:16:24,433 --> 00:16:26,800 COVERED BUT MANY OTHER SERVICES 459 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,100 FOR DISABILITY SERVICES WEREN'T. 460 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:32,333 >> KAREN, THE LESSON FOR YOU 461 00:16:32,333 --> 00:16:34,333 GOING FORWARD, WHAT WOULD YOU 462 00:16:34,333 --> 00:16:36,200 LIKE TO SEE DIFFERENTLY IN THE 463 00:16:36,200 --> 00:16:36,767 FUTURE? 464 00:16:36,767 --> 00:16:38,700 THERE ARE ALL THESE PRIORITIES. 465 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:40,567 >> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE 466 00:16:40,567 --> 00:16:42,333 HAPPEN IS HAVE REFORM SO WE 467 00:16:42,333 --> 00:16:43,967 AREN'T PITTING SERVICES AGAINST 468 00:16:43,967 --> 00:16:44,733 EACH OTHER. 469 00:16:44,733 --> 00:16:48,167 THAT WOULD BE THE IDEA IN THE 470 00:16:48,167 --> 00:16:48,867 SAME RESPONSE. 471 00:16:48,867 --> 00:16:51,667 WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT -- I 472 00:16:51,667 --> 00:16:52,833 APPRECIATE WHAT SOME OF THE 473 00:16:52,833 --> 00:16:54,800 OTHER PANELISTS SAID. 474 00:16:54,800 --> 00:16:56,567 THEY UNDERSTOOD ABOUT "TOPS" AND 475 00:16:56,567 --> 00:16:59,067 THE SITUATION WE WERE IN, OUR 476 00:16:59,067 --> 00:17:00,733 CHILDREN, MANY OF OUR 477 00:17:00,733 --> 00:17:03,267 CHILDREN -- NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT 478 00:17:03,267 --> 00:17:04,667 SOME OF THEM -- COULD DIE 479 00:17:04,667 --> 00:17:06,567 WITHOUT THE SERVICES THEY HAVE 480 00:17:06,567 --> 00:17:09,000 AND THERE WERE MANY PARENTS PUT 481 00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,433 IN THAT SITUATION. 482 00:17:11,433 --> 00:17:14,133 >> DIANE, YOU WANTED TO JUMP IN? 483 00:17:14,133 --> 00:17:17,033 >> I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS 484 00:17:17,033 --> 00:17:18,667 THAT SPENDING IS NOT THE 485 00:17:18,667 --> 00:17:19,033 PROBLEM. 486 00:17:19,033 --> 00:17:21,000 THAT WE HAVE THINGS THAT ARE 487 00:17:21,000 --> 00:17:22,467 NECESSARY AND PRIORITIES SO FOR 488 00:17:22,467 --> 00:17:26,167 ME, PERSONALLY, I HAVE A SON 489 00:17:26,167 --> 00:17:28,000 THAT'S GOT "TOPS." 490 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:28,900 WE'LL BE LOSING THAT. 491 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:31,133 I HAVE A FAMILY WHO HAS A 492 00:17:31,133 --> 00:17:32,767 PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT AROUND 493 00:17:32,767 --> 00:17:36,200 THE CLOCK, THAT'S GOING TO BE 494 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:37,367 LOOKED AT BEING CUT. 495 00:17:37,367 --> 00:17:40,067 MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR THE STATE 496 00:17:40,067 --> 00:17:42,700 DEPARTMENT AND HE NOW WORKS FIVE 497 00:17:42,700 --> 00:17:44,333 JOBS FOR FIVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE 498 00:17:44,333 --> 00:17:45,267 BEEN LAID OFF. 499 00:17:45,267 --> 00:17:47,033 >> HE'S TAKING THE 500 00:17:47,033 --> 00:17:48,100 RESPONSIBILITY OF FIVE PEOPLE? 501 00:17:48,100 --> 00:17:52,433 >> BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN -- ON 502 00:17:52,433 --> 00:17:54,667 TOP OF ALL THAT, I WAS ASKED, 503 00:17:54,667 --> 00:17:56,633 WELL, WOULD YOU ADD A PENNY TO 504 00:17:56,633 --> 00:17:59,100 SALES TAX AT THE SAME TIME AS MY 505 00:17:59,100 --> 00:18:02,033 AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT SO I 506 00:18:02,033 --> 00:18:03,800 SPENT THAT PENNY RIGHT AWAY. 507 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:05,433 SO, WHAT'S FRUSTRATING TO ME IS 508 00:18:05,433 --> 00:18:08,467 WE ALL TALK ABOUT HOW, OKAY, 509 00:18:08,467 --> 00:18:09,933 I'LL GIVE UP "TOPS." 510 00:18:09,933 --> 00:18:13,133 I'LL GIVE UP THE FUNDING FOR MY 511 00:18:13,133 --> 00:18:15,800 FAMILY MEMBER THAT NEEDS THAT 512 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,500 ROUND THE CLOCK CARE AND I'LL 513 00:18:18,500 --> 00:18:19,700 PAY THAT PENNY. 514 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:22,467 IT'S IMPACTING ME IN A VERY 515 00:18:22,467 --> 00:18:23,567 POWERFUL WAY AND I'M STRETCHED 516 00:18:23,567 --> 00:18:24,833 TO THE LIMIT NOW. 517 00:18:24,833 --> 00:18:27,700 BUT, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, SO, 518 00:18:27,700 --> 00:18:28,933 HOW DO WE GET REVENUE? 519 00:18:28,933 --> 00:18:31,400 WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE GET 520 00:18:31,400 --> 00:18:32,567 REVENUE BECAUSE THESE PRARTS ARE 521 00:18:32,567 --> 00:18:35,967 TOO IMPORTANT TO BE -- 522 00:18:35,967 --> 00:18:38,167 >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR 523 00:18:38,167 --> 00:18:38,667 SITUATION. 524 00:18:38,667 --> 00:18:40,567 THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE THIS 525 00:18:40,567 --> 00:18:41,467 PORTION OF OUR SHOW. 526 00:18:41,467 --> 00:18:44,100 WHEN WE RETURN, WE'LL BE JOINED 527 00:18:44,100 --> 00:18:49,100 BY OUR PANEL TO EXPLORE "REGULAR 528 00:18:49,100 --> 00:18:49,967 AND EXTRAORDINARY: LEGISLATIVE 529 00:18:49,967 --> 00:18:52,700 REVIEW" 530 00:18:58,167 --> 00:18:59,633 >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LOUISIANA 531 00:18:59,633 --> 00:19:00,100 PUBLIC SQUARE." 532 00:19:00,100 --> 00:19:02,433 TONIGHT, WE'RE REVIEWING THE 533 00:19:02,433 --> 00:19:06,667 LEGISLATURE'S RECENTLY-CONCLUDED 534 00:19:06,667 --> 00:19:07,400 "REGULAR AND EXTRAORDINARY: 535 00:19:07,400 --> 00:19:08,200 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW." 536 00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:11,133 JOINING US NOW IS SENATOR ERIC 537 00:19:11,133 --> 00:19:12,567 LAFLEUR, WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE 538 00:19:12,567 --> 00:19:15,000 FINANCE COMMITTEE. 539 00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:25,333 HE'S A DEMOCRAT FROM LAPLACE. 540 00:19:25,333 --> 00:19:28,733 MELINDA DESLATTE, SHE GRADUATED 541 00:19:28,733 --> 00:19:30,933 FROM LSU. 542 00:19:30,933 --> 00:19:31,967 DR. JIM RICHARDSON. 543 00:19:31,967 --> 00:19:34,000 HE MAY KNOW THAN ANYONE ELSE 544 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,867 ABOUT THE DEFISHANYS IN THE 545 00:19:36,867 --> 00:19:38,467 STATE'S REVENUE STRUCTURE. 546 00:19:38,467 --> 00:19:41,200 HE SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE THAT 547 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:43,467 ESTIMATES HOW MUCH THE STATE CAN 548 00:19:43,467 --> 00:19:46,733 SPEND EACH YEAR. 549 00:19:46,733 --> 00:19:48,333 MALINDA WHITE, A DEMOCRAT FROM 550 00:19:48,333 --> 00:19:49,033 BOGALUSA. 551 00:19:49,033 --> 00:19:51,933 SHE'S NEW TO THE CAPITOL. 552 00:19:51,933 --> 00:19:54,567 WELL, WE'VE REACHED OUT TO 553 00:19:54,567 --> 00:19:55,600 SEVERAL PROMINENT REPUBLICAN 554 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:57,367 LAWMAKERS AND ALL OF THEM HAD 555 00:19:57,367 --> 00:19:59,200 PRIOR COMMITMENTS. 556 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:01,033 BEFORE WE GO TO OUR AUDIENCE, 557 00:20:01,033 --> 00:20:02,800 I'D LIKE TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO 558 00:20:02,800 --> 00:20:03,433 ADDRESS A QUESTION. 559 00:20:03,433 --> 00:20:05,700 YOU KNOW, WE ENTERED THIS FIRST 560 00:20:05,700 --> 00:20:07,967 SPECIAL SESSION IN A SERIOUS 561 00:20:07,967 --> 00:20:08,600 FISCAL CRISIS. 562 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:09,433 NOW WE'RE DONE. 563 00:20:09,433 --> 00:20:11,633 ARE WE OUT OF THE CRISIS? 564 00:20:11,633 --> 00:20:14,067 AND, WHAT WERE THE BIG SUCCESSES 565 00:20:14,067 --> 00:20:16,333 OR FAILURE GOING THROUGH THESE 566 00:20:16,333 --> 00:20:17,433 LAST FEW MONTHS? 567 00:20:17,433 --> 00:20:20,567 WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, 568 00:20:20,567 --> 00:20:21,300 SENATOR LAFLEUR. 569 00:20:21,300 --> 00:20:23,367 >> OUR FAILURE WAS THE INABILITY 570 00:20:23,367 --> 00:20:26,800 TO FULLY FUND "TOPS" OR THE 571 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:28,433 UNWILLINGNESS OF THE LEGISLATURE 572 00:20:28,433 --> 00:20:30,000 TO FULLY FUND "TOPS," WHICH I 573 00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:31,867 THINK IS A VERY IMPORTANT 574 00:20:31,867 --> 00:20:32,300 PROGRAM. 575 00:20:32,300 --> 00:20:33,933 THE GOVERNOR MADE THE 576 00:20:33,933 --> 00:20:37,000 APPROPRIATE PROPOSALS BUT THE 577 00:20:37,000 --> 00:20:38,400 LEGISLATURE CHOSE NOT TO FUND 578 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:38,800 IT. 579 00:20:38,800 --> 00:20:40,400 THEN THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF 580 00:20:40,400 --> 00:20:41,933 OTHERS IN THE COURSE OF 581 00:20:41,933 --> 00:20:44,167 GOVERNMENT THAT WILL LOSE A FEW 582 00:20:44,167 --> 00:20:44,533 DOLLARS. 583 00:20:44,533 --> 00:20:47,600 THE HH, DEPARTMENT OF 584 00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:48,067 CORRECTIONS. 585 00:20:48,067 --> 00:20:50,033 >> YOU'RE ON THE SENATE SIDE, DO 586 00:20:50,033 --> 00:20:52,033 YOU THINK THE SENATE WOULD HAVE 587 00:20:52,033 --> 00:20:53,233 FULLY FUNDED "TOPS." 588 00:20:53,233 --> 00:20:58,833 >> YES, I FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT 589 00:20:58,833 --> 00:20:59,100 THAT. 590 00:20:59,100 --> 00:21:04,500 >> I WANT TO STIR UP 591 00:21:04,500 --> 00:21:04,933 CONTROVERSY. 592 00:21:04,933 --> 00:21:05,333 [LAUGHTER] 593 00:21:05,333 --> 00:21:06,267 >> THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, 594 00:21:06,267 --> 00:21:08,067 I'LL LEAVE TO OTHER FOLKS TO 595 00:21:08,067 --> 00:21:08,433 DISCUSS. 596 00:21:08,433 --> 00:21:11,100 IN TERMS OF WHETHER OR NOT 597 00:21:11,100 --> 00:21:12,367 THINGS ARE SETTLED AND WE'RE IN 598 00:21:12,367 --> 00:21:15,533 A BALANCED BUDGET SITUATION, I 599 00:21:15,533 --> 00:21:20,800 WOULD SAY THAT EVERYONE'S IN A 600 00:21:20,800 --> 00:21:24,200 BALANCED BUDGET SITUATION NOW. 601 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:25,500 LEGISLATURES DON'T SEEM TO KNOW 602 00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:27,467 WHAT THEY'VE PASSED IN TERMS OF 603 00:21:27,467 --> 00:21:29,833 THE MONEY THAT THEY'LL GENERATE 604 00:21:29,833 --> 00:21:31,367 AND WILL PAY FOR THINGS. 605 00:21:31,367 --> 00:21:37,633 THERE IS A POTENTIAL BUDGET 606 00:21:37,633 --> 00:21:40,067 DEFICIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT 607 00:21:40,067 --> 00:21:40,800 JUST ENDED. 608 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,533 IT IS AN OVERASSUMPTION TO 609 00:21:43,533 --> 00:21:47,600 SUGGEST EVERYTHING IS FINE AND 610 00:21:47,600 --> 00:21:47,933 DANDY. 611 00:21:47,933 --> 00:21:50,700 >> YOU CAN BEEN COVERING 612 00:21:50,700 --> 00:21:52,933 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS FOR MANY 613 00:21:52,933 --> 00:21:53,267 YEARS. 614 00:21:53,267 --> 00:21:55,600 HOW WOULD YOU RATE THIS ONE? 615 00:21:55,600 --> 00:21:56,400 >> LONG. 616 00:21:56,400 --> 00:21:56,933 [LAUGHTER] 617 00:21:56,933 --> 00:21:58,567 19 WEEKS IN A ROW OF THREE 618 00:21:58,567 --> 00:22:00,433 SESSIONS IS MORE THAN ANYBODY 619 00:22:00,433 --> 00:22:02,567 SHOULD BE ASKED TO DO, REPORTER 620 00:22:02,567 --> 00:22:05,733 OF LEGISLATURE OR MEMBER OF THE 621 00:22:05,733 --> 00:22:08,200 PUBLIC WATCHING IT. 622 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:10,167 >> DR RICHARDSON, YOU PROBABLY 623 00:22:10,167 --> 00:22:14,233 ONE OF THE BEST WELL-KNOWN 624 00:22:14,233 --> 00:22:15,733 ECONOMIST AT LSU. 625 00:22:15,733 --> 00:22:19,333 HOW DID YOU VIEW WHAT HAPPENED 626 00:22:19,333 --> 00:22:22,033 IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 627 00:22:22,033 --> 00:22:25,000 >> A COUPLE OF THINGS I WILL SAY 628 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:29,633 THEY DID WELL, TRYING TO 629 00:22:29,633 --> 00:22:31,500 REINCORPORATE THE INCOME TAX 630 00:22:31,500 --> 00:22:31,800 BASE. 631 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:33,300 I THINK THEY DID A VERY NICE 632 00:22:33,300 --> 00:22:33,633 THING. 633 00:22:33,633 --> 00:22:35,267 ON THE BROADER PICTURE OF THE 634 00:22:35,267 --> 00:22:37,400 OVERALL BUDGET, WE ARE STILL 635 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:40,433 VERY CLOUDY ABOUT IF WE REALLY 636 00:22:40,433 --> 00:22:43,633 SOLVED THE BUDGET PROBLEM. 637 00:22:43,633 --> 00:22:47,067 WE DID NOT DO IT FOR THE 638 00:22:47,067 --> 00:22:47,633 LONG-TERM. 639 00:22:47,633 --> 00:22:49,400 EVEN IN THE SHORT-TERM, MANY OF 640 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:50,867 THE TAX CHANGES, THE NUMBERS 641 00:22:50,867 --> 00:22:55,767 THAT ARE BEING USED TO PROJETH, 642 00:22:55,767 --> 00:22:58,167 VERY, VERY SHAKY, VERY SOFT AND 643 00:22:58,167 --> 00:23:01,100 UNSURE OF OURSELVES ABOUT HOW 644 00:23:01,100 --> 00:23:02,667 MUCH MONEY WE WILL GET IN THE 645 00:23:02,667 --> 00:23:02,900 END. 646 00:23:02,900 --> 00:23:05,500 YOU HAVE THE ONGOING ECONOMY, 647 00:23:05,500 --> 00:23:07,433 WHICH IS DRAGGING A LITTLE BIT 648 00:23:07,433 --> 00:23:09,900 BECAUSE THE ENERGY SECTOR, NOT 649 00:23:09,900 --> 00:23:12,400 DOING NEARLY AS WELL AS IT ONCE 650 00:23:12,400 --> 00:23:12,700 WAS. 651 00:23:12,700 --> 00:23:15,433 TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, I THINK FOR 652 00:23:15,433 --> 00:23:19,933 THIS FISCAL YEAR WE JUST ENDED, 653 00:23:19,933 --> 00:23:24,367 WILL BE A T SURELY 654 00:23:24,367 --> 00:23:25,267 DEFICIT OF FUNDS. 655 00:23:25,267 --> 00:23:27,067 I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED IF WE 656 00:23:27,067 --> 00:23:29,667 HAD TO BRING ANOTHER SESSION IN 657 00:23:29,667 --> 00:23:30,333 EARLY JANUARY. 658 00:23:30,333 --> 00:23:32,767 >> THAT'S A SOBERING THOUGHTS. 659 00:23:32,767 --> 00:23:34,400 THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE BEFORE 660 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:37,167 THEY'VE GOTTEN BETTER. 661 00:23:37,167 --> 00:23:37,733 I APPRECIATE THAT 662 00:23:37,733 --> 00:23:40,667 DR. RICHARDSON. 663 00:23:40,667 --> 00:23:41,300 ABO 664 00:23:41,300 --> 00:23:41,800 HOW ABOUT YOU? 665 00:23:41,800 --> 00:23:44,367 >> WELL, AS A FRESHMAN 666 00:23:44,367 --> 00:23:46,433 LEGISLATURE, I WENT INTO THIS 667 00:23:46,433 --> 00:23:48,867 PROCESS AS A STUDENT OF THE 668 00:23:48,867 --> 00:23:49,467 PROCESS. 669 00:23:49,467 --> 00:23:51,467 THE THING THAT I FOUND MOST GOOD 670 00:23:51,467 --> 00:23:53,467 FOR ME IN THE BEGINNING WAS TO 671 00:23:53,467 --> 00:23:55,433 BE ABLE TO ATTEND WAYS AND MEANS 672 00:23:55,433 --> 00:23:57,833 AND APPROPRIATIONS AND WATCH 673 00:23:57,833 --> 00:23:59,100 BILLS GET VETTED OUT AND 674 00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:02,200 UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS TO SO 675 00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:04,600 MANY PEOPLE AND THAT HELPED ME 676 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:05,900 UNDERSTAND, WHEN WE WENT INTO IT 677 00:24:05,900 --> 00:24:08,033 AND I JUST WANTED TO DIVE IN AND 678 00:24:08,033 --> 00:24:12,433 HELP, I WASN'T SENT HERE TO SIT 679 00:24:12,433 --> 00:24:15,367 ON THE SIDELINES AND I RAN A 680 00:24:15,367 --> 00:24:16,800 CAMPAIGN ON NOT KICKING THE CAN 681 00:24:16,800 --> 00:24:17,633 DOWN THE ROAD. 682 00:24:17,633 --> 00:24:19,233 I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED IN WITH 683 00:24:19,233 --> 00:24:22,033 WHAT THINGS THAT I KNEW ABOUT, 684 00:24:22,033 --> 00:24:24,700 SUCH AS VENDOR COMPENSATION FEES 685 00:24:24,700 --> 00:24:27,067 AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT I 686 00:24:27,067 --> 00:24:29,167 COULD DELIVER ON AND IT WAS A 687 00:24:29,167 --> 00:24:29,833 SPENDING CUT. 688 00:24:29,833 --> 00:24:32,100 THE PROCESS, THOUGH, AFTER THREE 689 00:24:32,100 --> 00:24:34,600 SESSIONS, I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE 690 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:37,100 I'M NO LONGER A FRESHMAN. 691 00:24:37,100 --> 00:24:37,500 [LAUGHTER] 692 00:24:37,500 --> 00:24:39,367 >> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S A 693 00:24:39,367 --> 00:24:40,733 FRESHMAN ANYMORE AFTER GOING 694 00:24:40,733 --> 00:24:41,967 THROUGH ALL OF THAT. 695 00:24:41,967 --> 00:24:45,800 HOW DARE YOU, AS A LEGISLATURE, 696 00:24:45,800 --> 00:24:48,300 TRY TO CAPITALIZE ON THINGS YOU 697 00:24:48,300 --> 00:24:51,467 KNOW ABOUT. 698 00:24:51,467 --> 00:24:51,867 [LAUGHTER] 699 00:24:51,867 --> 00:24:56,300 >> HE CREATED AN ORGANIZATION TO 700 00:24:56,300 --> 00:24:58,633 REVAMP THE FISCAL AREA OF THE 701 00:24:58,633 --> 00:24:59,233 STATE. 702 00:24:59,233 --> 00:25:00,667 DAVID. TO GO TO 703 00:25:00,667 --> 00:25:03,900 YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT ALL THE 704 00:25:03,900 --> 00:25:06,533 XEMPTIONS AND CREDITS ANDú| 705 00:25:06,533 --> 00:25:08,867 WHATNOT THAT INTERFERE WITH OUR 706 00:25:08,867 --> 00:25:10,400 REVENUE PICTURE. 707 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:11,167 >> I APPRECIATE IT. 708 00:25:11,167 --> 00:25:13,667 JUST SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL 709 00:25:13,667 --> 00:25:15,867 TAXPAYER, I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT 710 00:25:15,867 --> 00:25:17,733 SOME OF THE -- YOU KNOW, SOME OF 711 00:25:17,733 --> 00:25:21,200 THE THINGS THAT WERE PROPOSED. 712 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:23,533 AND, I, LIKE MANY PEOPLE -- I'M 713 00:25:23,533 --> 00:25:25,767 ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE 714 00:25:25,767 --> 00:25:28,133 ADVANTAGE OF THINGS, MORTGAGE 715 00:25:28,133 --> 00:25:29,733 INTEREST WRITE-OFF AND THINGS 716 00:25:29,733 --> 00:25:30,900 LIKE THAT. 717 00:25:30,900 --> 00:25:34,433 I THINK THE ELIMINATION OR THE 718 00:25:34,433 --> 00:25:36,533 DECREASING OF THOSE TAX -- OF 719 00:25:36,533 --> 00:25:38,533 THOSE CREDITS WHEN I DO MY TAXES 720 00:25:38,533 --> 00:25:41,200 AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE 721 00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:43,100 STATE, PERSONALLY, I GUESS I 722 00:25:43,100 --> 00:25:46,200 THINK IT'S KIND OF A BAD IDEA. 723 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:50,233 IT HURTS THE MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE 724 00:25:50,233 --> 00:25:52,967 AND I THINK IT HURTS ALMOST ALL 725 00:25:52,967 --> 00:25:56,133 HOMEOWNERS, ANYONE THAT'S GOT A 726 00:25:56,133 --> 00:25:56,533 MORTGAGE. 727 00:25:56,533 --> 00:25:58,167 AND I WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT 728 00:25:58,167 --> 00:25:59,633 CURIOUS IF THEY'RE STILL GOING 729 00:25:59,633 --> 00:26:00,500 TO BEAT THAT DRUM? 730 00:26:00,500 --> 00:26:02,333 IF THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO 731 00:26:02,333 --> 00:26:05,233 STILL BE BEATING THE DRUM NEXT 732 00:26:05,233 --> 00:26:05,567 YEAR? 733 00:26:05,567 --> 00:26:06,533 >> PARTICULAR PERSONAL OR 734 00:26:06,533 --> 00:26:08,000 INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES? 735 00:26:08,000 --> 00:26:10,600 >> DEDUCTIONS THAT YOU GET FROM 736 00:26:10,600 --> 00:26:11,000 YOUR -- 737 00:26:11,000 --> 00:26:13,500 >> HOW OUR LEGISLATURES WANT TO 738 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:14,300 REACT TO THAT? 739 00:26:14,300 --> 00:26:15,733 >> THE ONE THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED 740 00:26:15,733 --> 00:26:17,633 WOULD HAVE EXCLUDED THAT 741 00:26:17,633 --> 00:26:18,867 WRITE-OFF SO YOU STILL ENJOY 742 00:26:18,867 --> 00:26:22,267 THAT WRITE-OFF, EVEN WITH THE 743 00:26:22,267 --> 00:26:23,900 GOVERNOR'S WRITE-OFF. 744 00:26:23,900 --> 00:26:25,867 >> CHARITABLE DONATIONS AND 745 00:26:25,867 --> 00:26:26,467 THINGS LIKE THAT. 746 00:26:26,467 --> 00:26:27,967 >> REPRESENTATIVE WHITE? 747 00:26:27,967 --> 00:26:32,467 >> I ACTUALLY CARRIED THAT BILL, 748 00:26:32,467 --> 00:26:35,467 ROB SHADOIN CARRIED IT IN THE 749 00:26:35,467 --> 00:26:37,667 FIRST ROUND AND WHEN IT FAILED, 750 00:26:37,667 --> 00:26:40,833 I WITH HAD A BILL THE SAME. 751 00:26:40,833 --> 00:26:43,067 AND WORKED TO MAKE THAT BILL 752 00:26:43,067 --> 00:26:44,133 SOMETHING THAT WOULD ACTUALLY 753 00:26:44,133 --> 00:26:46,833 BRING ABOUT TAX REFORM IN A GOOD 754 00:26:46,833 --> 00:26:47,133 WAY. 755 00:26:47,133 --> 00:26:49,933 AND SO BASICALLY, JUST IN GIST, 756 00:26:49,933 --> 00:26:54,300 IT WAS ONE THAT DID NOT ALLOW TO 757 00:26:54,300 --> 00:26:56,833 ALL TAX DEDUCTIONS WITH THE 758 00:26:56,833 --> 00:26:58,200 EXEMPTION OF STATE INCOME TAX 759 00:26:58,200 --> 00:27:00,033 AND SALES AND USE TAX. 760 00:27:00,033 --> 00:27:02,933 THAT WAS IT. 761 00:27:02,933 --> 00:27:06,767 AND, THIS IMPACT THAT WE TALKED 762 00:27:06,767 --> 00:27:09,400 ABOUT FOR SOMEONE MAKING 763 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,100 $100,000 A YEAR, IT WOULD HAVE 764 00:27:12,100 --> 00:27:13,567 COST THEM $200. 765 00:27:13,567 --> 00:27:16,067 IF YOU ARE MAKING $1 MILLION, IT 766 00:27:16,067 --> 00:27:18,433 WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND $2,500. 767 00:27:18,433 --> 00:27:22,433 IN LIEU OF THE SERVICES IT WOULD 768 00:27:22,433 --> 00:27:25,400 HAVE COVERED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 769 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:27,800 TREMENDOUS AND BROUGHT IN $88 770 00:27:27,800 --> 00:27:30,267 MILLION CORRECTLY FROM THESE TAX 771 00:27:30,267 --> 00:27:33,833 DEDUCTION EXEMPTIONS. 772 00:27:33,833 --> 00:27:36,133 IT WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED YOUR 773 00:27:36,133 --> 00:27:39,800 MORTGAGE INTEREST, YOUR 774 00:27:39,800 --> 00:27:43,033 CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. 775 00:27:43,033 --> 00:27:44,667 >> YOU MAY GET ANOTHER CHANCE? 776 00:27:44,667 --> 00:27:46,067 YOU MAY GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO 777 00:27:46,067 --> 00:27:48,433 TALK ABOUT THAT NEXT YEAR. 778 00:27:48,433 --> 00:27:49,667 FREDERICK, YOU HAD A QUESTION 779 00:27:49,667 --> 00:27:51,467 ABOUT A TOPIC THAT EVERYONE 780 00:27:51,467 --> 00:27:54,667 GROWNED AND SIGHED ABOUT WHEN WE 781 00:27:54,667 --> 00:27:56,700 BROUGHT IT UP EARLIER, "TOPS." 782 00:27:56,700 --> 00:27:58,900 >> I'M A RECENT HIGH SCHOOL 783 00:27:58,900 --> 00:27:59,333 GRADUATE. 784 00:27:59,333 --> 00:28:02,100 I GRADUATED THIS PAST MAY AND 785 00:28:02,100 --> 00:28:04,467 "TOPS" IS ON EVERY HIGH SCHOOL 786 00:28:04,467 --> 00:28:05,167 SENIOR'S MIND. 787 00:28:05,167 --> 00:28:07,233 IT WAS ON MY MIND DEFINITELY. 788 00:28:07,233 --> 00:28:08,833 WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW IS, IS 789 00:28:08,833 --> 00:28:11,400 THERE A PLAN IN PLACE -- THE 790 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:12,700 QUESTION IS DIRECTED MORE TOWARD 791 00:28:12,700 --> 00:28:13,767 TO LEGISLATURES. 792 00:28:13,767 --> 00:28:16,733 IS THERE A PLAN IN PLACE TO 793 00:28:16,733 --> 00:28:19,167 FULLY FUND "TOPS" IN SUBSEQUENT 794 00:28:19,167 --> 00:28:20,933 YEARS AND AT THE PROMISE THAT 795 00:28:20,933 --> 00:28:24,567 WAS MADE TO STUDENTS -- 796 00:28:24,567 --> 00:28:25,933 >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. 797 00:28:25,933 --> 00:28:28,367 WE'RE GOING TO LET THE 798 00:28:28,367 --> 00:28:29,167 LEGISLATURES ANSWER IT. 799 00:28:29,167 --> 00:28:31,667 WHY DON'T YOU TELL US WHAT 800 00:28:31,667 --> 00:28:32,333 HAPPENED TO "TOPS." 801 00:28:32,333 --> 00:28:34,767 >> WELL, THEY DIDN'T FULLY FUND 802 00:28:34,767 --> 00:28:35,033 IT. 803 00:28:35,033 --> 00:28:37,600 WHAT THEY DID, THIS TIME, IS -- 804 00:28:37,600 --> 00:28:41,333 FIRST OF ALL, THEY PASSED A LAW 805 00:28:41,333 --> 00:28:44,533 THAT CAPS THE SPENDING ON "TOPS" 806 00:28:44,533 --> 00:28:47,467 SO THAT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY 807 00:28:47,467 --> 00:28:50,200 GROW AS THE COST OF TUITION 808 00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:50,500 GROWS. 809 00:28:50,500 --> 00:28:53,767 IF LSU WANTED TO RAISE ITS 810 00:28:53,767 --> 00:28:55,533 TUITION, THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T 811 00:28:55,533 --> 00:28:57,467 HAVE TO INCREASE THE PAYMENTS 812 00:28:57,467 --> 00:29:00,033 FROM "TOPS" TO MATCH THE TUITION 813 00:29:00,033 --> 00:29:00,433 COST. 814 00:29:00,433 --> 00:29:02,867 SETTING THAT ASIDE FOR FUTURE 815 00:29:02,867 --> 00:29:05,700 YEARS, THEY DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY 816 00:29:05,700 --> 00:29:08,500 PAY FOR THE FULL PROGRAM NOW SO 817 00:29:08,500 --> 00:29:09,900 STUDENTS WILL FACE A CUT FOR THE 818 00:29:09,900 --> 00:29:12,733 AWARD IN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL 819 00:29:12,733 --> 00:29:13,033 YEAR. 820 00:29:13,033 --> 00:29:14,833 SMALL CUT IN THE FALL AND A 821 00:29:14,833 --> 00:29:16,733 BIGGER CUT IN THE SPRING. 822 00:29:16,733 --> 00:29:18,567 AND TO YOUR QUESTION, I DON'T 823 00:29:18,567 --> 00:29:20,367 THINK THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT 824 00:29:20,367 --> 00:29:22,300 SUGGESTS THERE WAS A SUSTAINABLE 825 00:29:22,300 --> 00:29:24,067 PLAN FOR THE LONG-TERM TO 826 00:29:24,067 --> 00:29:25,767 CONTINUE TO FUNDING "TOPS" AND 827 00:29:25,767 --> 00:29:27,600 TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO 828 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:29,400 IS ELIGIBLE ACTUALLY RECEIVES 829 00:29:29,400 --> 00:29:30,267 THE FUNDING. 830 00:29:30,267 --> 00:29:31,900 >> HOW ABOUT OUR LEGISLATURES, 831 00:29:31,900 --> 00:29:33,133 DO YOU AGREE? 832 00:29:33,133 --> 00:29:36,733 >> THE CURRENT REVENUE MEASURE 833 00:29:36,733 --> 00:29:39,333 IN PLACE WON'T FUND MOST 834 00:29:39,333 --> 00:29:40,133 ANYTHING. 835 00:29:40,133 --> 00:29:43,267 IF WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE IF WE 836 00:29:43,267 --> 00:29:47,000 DON'T PICK SOMETHING ELSE OR 837 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:49,267 RENEW WHAT'S IN PLACE. 838 00:29:49,267 --> 00:29:53,800 THE LEGISLATURE REJECTED IT. 839 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:55,867 >> DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN 840 00:29:55,867 --> 00:29:56,267 COLLEGE? 841 00:29:56,267 --> 00:29:58,200 >> I HAVE CHILDREN IN COLLEGE 842 00:29:58,200 --> 00:30:01,067 FROM 2004, THREE CHILDREN, 843 00:30:01,067 --> 00:30:03,567 STARTING IN 2004 AND JUST 844 00:30:03,567 --> 00:30:06,967 GRADUATING IN 2016, THIS YEAR. 845 00:30:06,967 --> 00:30:09,833 >> WERE THEY "TOPS" STUDENTS? 846 00:30:09,833 --> 00:30:12,033 >> THEY WERE "TOPS" STUDENTS. 847 00:30:12,033 --> 00:30:14,033 UNDERSTOOD THAT COMPLETELY. 848 00:30:14,033 --> 00:30:17,000 WHAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW 849 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:20,167 THE FUNDING WORKED UNTIL I GOT 850 00:30:20,167 --> 00:30:20,467 HERE. 851 00:30:20,467 --> 00:30:24,133 I LISTENED TO A GENTLEMAN 852 00:30:24,133 --> 00:30:26,633 EXPLAIN TO ME HOW HIGHER 853 00:30:26,633 --> 00:30:28,800 EDUCATION HAD BEEN CUT BY 70%, 854 00:30:28,800 --> 00:30:31,000 WHICH DROVE THEIR COST UP. 855 00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:32,400 WHILE THEY COST WAS BEING DRIVEN 856 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:35,267 UP, I WATCH MY CHILDREN -- FROM 857 00:30:35,267 --> 00:30:37,367 ONE TO THE OTHER, THEIR "TOPS" 858 00:30:37,367 --> 00:30:40,033 GO UP SO REALLY, BASICALLY, 859 00:30:40,033 --> 00:30:41,400 WE'RE SHIFTING TAX DOLLARS FROM 860 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:43,767 ONE TO THE OTHER TO COMPENSATE 861 00:30:43,767 --> 00:30:45,667 FOR THE RISING COST AND REALLY 862 00:30:45,667 --> 00:30:48,967 THE BURDEN WAS CARRIED ON THE 863 00:30:48,967 --> 00:30:51,933 BACKS OF THE PARENTS AND 864 00:30:51,933 --> 00:30:52,300 STUDENTS. 865 00:30:52,300 --> 00:30:55,467 >> A LOT OF THAT SHIFTING FOR 866 00:30:55,467 --> 00:30:56,233 BURD 867 00:30:56,233 --> 00:30:57,700 BURDEN, ESPECIALLY FOR REVENUE, 868 00:30:57,700 --> 00:30:59,100 THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THINKS 869 00:30:59,100 --> 00:31:02,300 THEY'RE TAKING MORE FROM US THAN 870 00:31:02,300 --> 00:31:03,033 INDIVIDUALS. 871 00:31:03,033 --> 00:31:04,400 MONIQUE, YOU'RE WITH THE 872 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:07,600 [INDISCERNIBLE] CHAMBER, IS THAT 873 00:31:07,600 --> 00:31:07,967 CORRECT? 874 00:31:07,967 --> 00:31:08,533 >> [INDISCERNIBLE] 875 00:31:08,533 --> 00:31:10,333 >> YOU HAD YOUR HANDS FULL. 876 00:31:10,333 --> 00:31:10,767 [LAUGHTER] 877 00:31:10,767 --> 00:31:11,667 >> IT WAS A VERY LONG SESSION 878 00:31:11,667 --> 00:31:14,867 AND I LEARNED A LOT. 879 00:31:14,867 --> 00:31:16,000 [INDISCERNIBLE] AND SEVERAL 880 00:31:16,000 --> 00:31:17,033 [INDISCERNIBLE] AND OUR 881 00:31:17,033 --> 00:31:19,867 INVESTORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT 882 00:31:19,867 --> 00:31:21,933 THE ANTI-BUSINESS SETMENT THAT 883 00:31:21,933 --> 00:31:22,800 [INDISCERNIBLE] THE LEGISLATURE 884 00:31:22,800 --> 00:31:23,667 THIS YEAR. 885 00:31:23,667 --> 00:31:26,867 WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE 886 00:31:26,867 --> 00:31:29,267 ECONOMIC POSTURE OF OUR STATE. 887 00:31:29,267 --> 00:31:30,933 THERE ARE LARGE INDUSTRY THAT 888 00:31:30,933 --> 00:31:33,967 HAVE BUSINESS EXPANSION PLANS 889 00:31:33,967 --> 00:31:36,200 AND WE WERE ON THE TABLE TO BE 890 00:31:36,200 --> 00:31:39,700 CONSIDERED FOR THOSE EXPANSIONS. 891 00:31:39,700 --> 00:31:42,033 WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE WILL BE THE 892 00:31:42,033 --> 00:31:45,200 FUND SO THAT THE 893 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:47,767 FRONT OF THE BUDGET SHORTFALL 894 00:31:47,767 --> 00:31:49,467 DOESN'T FALL TO BUSINESS? 895 00:31:49,467 --> 00:31:50,967 >> I'D LIKE DR. RICHARDSON TO 896 00:31:50,967 --> 00:31:55,700 TRY TO ADDRESS THIS BALANCE WITH 897 00:31:55,700 --> 00:31:56,400 BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUALS. 898 00:31:56,400 --> 00:31:59,900 >> WELL, IF YOU GO BACK AND JUST 899 00:31:59,900 --> 00:32:02,133 SEE WHAT WE DID, WE FIRST 900 00:32:02,133 --> 00:32:04,400 STARTED REALLY RAISING TAXES TO 901 00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:08,433 MEET SHORTFALLS IN OUR BUDGET IN 902 00:32:08,433 --> 00:32:08,733 2015. 903 00:32:08,733 --> 00:32:11,267 AND ALMOST ALL OF THOSE TAX 904 00:32:11,267 --> 00:32:12,433 INCREASES, THOUGH THEY WERE NOT 905 00:32:12,433 --> 00:32:14,133 CALLED TAX INCREASES, THAT'S 906 00:32:14,133 --> 00:32:16,567 WHAT THEY WERE, WERE REALLY 907 00:32:16,567 --> 00:32:18,167 FOCUSED ON BUSINESS. 908 00:32:18,167 --> 00:32:21,600 ON CUTTING BACK CREDITS. 909 00:32:21,600 --> 00:32:23,133 CUTTING BACK EXEMPTIONS. 910 00:32:23,133 --> 00:32:25,233 FOCUS.S KIND OF THE 911 00:32:25,233 --> 00:32:26,967 AND THAT -- WHEN IT GOT INTO THE 912 00:32:26,967 --> 00:32:30,633 NEW YEAR IN 2016 AND A NEW 913 00:32:30,633 --> 00:32:32,200 GOVERNOR AND THEY NEEDED MONEY 914 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,233 IN A HURRY, THEY THEN WENT TO 915 00:32:34,233 --> 00:32:36,167 THE SALES TAX, WHICH IS MORE 916 00:32:36,167 --> 00:32:38,267 INDIVIDUAL ORIENTED, BUT ALSO 917 00:32:38,267 --> 00:32:40,033 BUSINESSES PAY THAT, TOO. 918 00:32:40,033 --> 00:32:41,433 IT'S JUST NOT INDIVIDUALS. 919 00:32:41,433 --> 00:32:44,500 THEN THEY ALSO DID SOME MORE 920 00:32:44,500 --> 00:32:48,267 CUTTING ON THE TAX CREDITS, AS 921 00:32:48,267 --> 00:32:48,600 WELL. 922 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:51,200 SOME MORE HAIRCUTS, I THINK, 923 00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:52,700 THEY CALLED THEM. 924 00:32:52,700 --> 00:32:54,300 THAT'S WHERE THEY COULD GET 925 00:32:54,300 --> 00:32:54,633 MONEY. 926 00:32:54,633 --> 00:32:57,667 ALSO, EVEN IF YOU LISTEN TO BOTH 927 00:32:57,667 --> 00:33:00,200 SIDES, THE DEMOCRATS AND THE 928 00:33:00,200 --> 00:33:01,800 REPUBLICANS, THE GENERAL FAVOR 929 00:33:01,800 --> 00:33:03,467 WAS, WELL, BUSINESS IS GOING TO 930 00:33:03,467 --> 00:33:04,733 PAY ITS SHARE. 931 00:33:04,733 --> 00:33:06,400 THAT'S KIND OF THE FOCUS. 932 00:33:06,400 --> 00:33:09,633 I THINK AS WE THINK ABOUT 933 00:33:09,633 --> 00:33:11,067 REDUING THE TAX STRUCTURE, YOU 934 00:33:11,067 --> 00:33:12,767 TAXTHE MAKE S 935 00:33:12,767 --> 00:33:15,467 STRUCTURE, ONE, IT GENERATES THE 936 00:33:15,467 --> 00:33:17,133 REVENUE THE STATE THINGS IT 937 00:33:17,133 --> 00:33:19,167 NEEDS TO SPEND ON IMPORTANT 938 00:33:19,167 --> 00:33:20,300 PROGRAMS, WHICH COULD BE FROM 939 00:33:20,300 --> 00:33:22,267 EDUCATION TO HEALTHCARE TO 940 00:33:22,267 --> 00:33:23,633 PRISONS TO HIGHWAYS. 941 00:33:23,633 --> 00:33:27,267 NUMBER TWO, IT ALSO HAS TO BE -- 942 00:33:27,267 --> 00:33:29,733 I SAY BUSINESS-FRIENDLY. 943 00:33:29,733 --> 00:33:33,600 IT CANNOT BE SO ANTI-COMPETITIVE 944 00:33:33,600 --> 00:33:38,067 OR ANTI-BUSINESS THAT YOU MAKE 945 00:33:38,067 --> 00:33:39,667 PEOPLE THINK ABOUT WHERE THEY 946 00:33:39,667 --> 00:33:41,400 WANT TO INVEST. 947 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:43,367 AS WE GO ALONG THERE, I THINK 948 00:33:43,367 --> 00:33:45,767 THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURES, 949 00:33:45,767 --> 00:33:48,267 THEY'RE VERY AWARE OF THAT 950 00:33:48,267 --> 00:33:49,800 DELICATE BALANCE. 951 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,233 DO THEY ALWAYS COME UP WITH 952 00:33:52,233 --> 00:33:52,600 ANSWERS? 953 00:33:52,600 --> 00:33:54,567 NO, NOT NECESSARILY. 954 00:33:54,567 --> 00:33:56,367 BUT I THINK IT WILL BE A DRIVING 955 00:33:56,367 --> 00:33:58,600 POINT AS WE GO ABOUT REFORMING 956 00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:00,033 THE TAX CODE OVER THE NEXT 957 00:34:00,033 --> 00:34:02,167 SEVERAL YEARS, YES. 958 00:34:02,167 --> 00:34:03,567 >> REPRESENT FROM 959 00:34:03,567 --> 00:34:05,267 [INDISCERNIBLE], JAY, THINKS IT 960 00:34:05,267 --> 00:34:07,500 IS A VERY INTERESTING BALANCE, 961 00:34:07,500 --> 00:34:07,833 INDEED. 962 00:34:07,833 --> 00:34:09,500 DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH A 963 00:34:09,500 --> 00:34:11,167 QUESTION WITH THAT? 964 00:34:11,167 --> 00:34:12,567 >> I WOULD. 965 00:34:12,567 --> 00:34:14,367 GIVEN THE FACT THAT THIS PAST 966 00:34:14,367 --> 00:34:16,567 SEVERAL SESSIONS, WE HAD TAX 967 00:34:16,567 --> 00:34:17,067 INCREASES. 968 00:34:17,067 --> 00:34:18,800 WE HAD CREDIT CURTAILMENT AND 969 00:34:18,800 --> 00:34:20,500 SOME OTHER PAYMENTS THAT WERE 970 00:34:20,500 --> 00:34:22,900 EITHER ELIMINATED OR SHORTFALL 971 00:34:22,900 --> 00:34:24,100 LIKE VENDORS COMP. 972 00:34:24,100 --> 00:34:26,033 WE KNOW THAT WAS ALL A BRIDGE TO 973 00:34:26,033 --> 00:34:27,167 GET TO TRUE REFORM. 974 00:34:27,167 --> 00:34:28,767 WE HAVE A [INDISCERNIBLE] ABOUT 975 00:34:28,767 --> 00:34:30,100 DR. RICHARDSON. 976 00:34:30,100 --> 00:34:31,800 WE HAVE A TASK FORCE DEALING 977 00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:35,833 WITH INVENTORY TAX AND SALES TAX 978 00:34:35,833 --> 00:34:37,367 STREAMLINING AND MODERNIZATION 979 00:34:37,367 --> 00:34:41,233 AND ALL OF THESE REPORTS ARE 980 00:34:41,233 --> 00:34:44,000 GOING TO COALESCE CLOSER TO THE 981 00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:44,267 2017. 982 00:34:44,267 --> 00:34:46,467 DO YOU SEE AN APPETITE TO DO 983 00:34:46,467 --> 00:34:49,767 TRUE REFORM, WHICH INCLUDES 984 00:34:49,767 --> 00:34:52,200 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, WHICH 985 00:34:52,200 --> 00:34:55,300 INCLUDES STATUTORY REFORMS AND 986 00:34:55,300 --> 00:34:56,800 DEDICATIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL 987 00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:57,233 DEDICATIONS? 988 00:34:57,233 --> 00:34:58,533 SOME THINGS THAT WILL BE 989 00:34:58,533 --> 00:34:59,767 DIFFICULT TO DO, BUT IT WILL 990 00:34:59,767 --> 00:35:00,767 TAKE WILL TO DO IT. 991 00:35:00,767 --> 00:35:02,100 DO YOU SEE THAT WILL? 992 00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:05,233 >> IT IS THE QUESTION OF THE 993 00:35:05,233 --> 00:35:05,833 HOUR. 994 00:35:05,833 --> 00:35:07,600 I'LL ASK BOTH OUR LEGISLATURES 995 00:35:07,600 --> 00:35:08,600 TO ADDRESS THAT. 996 00:35:08,600 --> 00:35:10,533 >> I THINK THE WILL IS THERE. 997 00:35:10,533 --> 00:35:12,733 ONE THING ABOUT TAXES IS WHO IS 998 00:35:12,733 --> 00:35:17,567 GOING TO PAY THEM IS LIKE THIS 999 00:35:17,567 --> 00:35:19,300 GENTLEMAN POINTED OUT, HE 1000 00:35:19,300 --> 00:35:21,100 DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE UP HIS 1001 00:35:21,100 --> 00:35:21,500 EXEMPTIONS. 1002 00:35:21,500 --> 00:35:23,933 THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR 1003 00:35:23,933 --> 00:35:24,233 "TOPS." 1004 00:35:24,233 --> 00:35:28,700 WE ARE SELF-INTERESTED IN HOW WE 1005 00:35:28,700 --> 00:35:31,167 DO AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT 1006 00:35:31,167 --> 00:35:32,767 LEGISLATURES HAVE TO DEAL WITH. 1007 00:35:32,767 --> 00:35:35,167 THEY COME TO THE CAPITOL AND 1008 00:35:35,167 --> 00:35:37,600 SAY, MY BUSINESS CAN'T MAKE IT. 1009 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:40,500 IT WILL BE DESTROYED WITHOUT THE 1010 00:35:40,500 --> 00:35:41,033 CREDITS THEY GET. 1011 00:35:41,033 --> 00:35:42,067 IT GOES ON AND ON. 1012 00:35:42,067 --> 00:35:43,733 AT THE END OF THE DAY, TO COME 1013 00:35:43,733 --> 00:35:45,433 UP WITH A FAIR SYSTEM. 1014 00:35:45,433 --> 00:35:47,133 I'M HOPING THAT THE LEGISLATURE 1015 00:35:47,133 --> 00:35:48,933 WILL AND UP WITH IT BECAUSE IF 1016 00:35:48,933 --> 00:35:50,967 WE DON'T, WE WILL -- IF THEY 1017 00:35:50,967 --> 00:35:54,667 DON'T COME UP WITH ANY REFORM, 1018 00:35:54,667 --> 00:35:57,600 THE ONLY THING WE'LL BE FORCED 1019 00:35:57,600 --> 00:35:58,733 TO DO IS RENEW IT. 1020 00:35:58,733 --> 00:36:01,333 WE HAVE THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE 1021 00:36:01,333 --> 00:36:02,867 COUNTRY, IN A STATE WITH MORE 1022 00:36:02,867 --> 00:36:05,533 THAN A FAIR SHARE OF PEOPLE WITH 1023 00:36:05,533 --> 00:36:05,900 POVERTY. 1024 00:36:05,900 --> 00:36:08,067 AS YOU POINTED OUT, YOU'RE 1025 00:36:08,067 --> 00:36:10,133 WORRIED ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENT 1026 00:36:10,133 --> 00:36:10,433 BASE. 1027 00:36:10,433 --> 00:36:12,700 AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER 1028 00:36:12,700 --> 00:36:14,133 SYSTEM WE COME UP WITH HAS TO BE 1029 00:36:14,133 --> 00:36:16,433 FAIR AND THAT'LL BE -- 1030 00:36:16,433 --> 00:36:19,133 >> WE WELL OVER $1 BILLION IN 1031 00:36:19,133 --> 00:36:20,933 NEW REVENUE AND THROUGH 1032 00:36:20,933 --> 00:36:22,767 EXEMPTIONS AND WHATNOT THAT WERE 1033 00:36:22,767 --> 00:36:24,100 CANCELED, THAT TWO YEARS FROM 1034 00:36:24,100 --> 00:36:26,600 NOW, ARE GOING TO GO AWAY. 1035 00:36:26,600 --> 00:36:29,633 SO IS THAT, REPRESENTATIVE 1036 00:36:29,633 --> 00:36:31,767 WHITE, GOING TO BE AN 1037 00:36:31,767 --> 00:36:33,267 ENCOURAGEMENT OR SENATE TO DO 1038 00:36:33,267 --> 00:36:34,933 REAL REFORM? 1039 00:36:34,933 --> 00:36:37,167 >> I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT IS 1040 00:36:37,167 --> 00:36:38,600 THE INCENTIVE. 1041 00:36:38,600 --> 00:36:40,167 I THINK THERE WILL BE MANY 1042 00:36:40,167 --> 00:36:41,367 CONVERSATIONS AND DIALOGUES 1043 00:36:41,367 --> 00:36:42,900 BETWEEN LEGISLATURES, THE 1044 00:36:42,900 --> 00:36:45,867 GOVERNOR AND BUSINESS AND 1045 00:36:45,867 --> 00:36:47,567 INDUSTRY, THAT WE WILL HOPEFULLY 1046 00:36:47,567 --> 00:36:49,867 BE ABLE TO WORK OUT SOMETHING 1047 00:36:49,867 --> 00:36:51,867 THAT IS CONSIDERED FAIR AND BE 1048 00:36:51,867 --> 00:36:54,867 ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GROW THE 1049 00:36:54,867 --> 00:36:55,933 ECONOMY IN LOUISIANA WITHOUT 1050 00:36:55,933 --> 00:36:57,100 HURTING IT SO MUCH. 1051 00:36:57,100 --> 00:36:59,333 IT MEANS JOBS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR 1052 00:36:59,333 --> 00:37:01,067 ALL OF US. 1053 00:37:01,067 --> 00:37:03,900 AND, AS A BUSINESSPERSON, I 1054 00:37:03,900 --> 00:37:05,633 COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT. 1055 00:37:05,633 --> 00:37:08,800 IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING -- 1056 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:10,800 IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO 1057 00:37:10,800 --> 00:37:11,633 FIND THAT BALANCE. 1058 00:37:11,633 --> 00:37:13,800 I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY CHOICE 1059 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:15,700 IN THAT MATTER AND THE MORE WE 1060 00:37:15,700 --> 00:37:17,400 COME TO THE TABLE TOGETHER TO 1061 00:37:17,400 --> 00:37:19,567 FIGURE THAT OUT, THE BETTER OFF 1062 00:37:19,567 --> 00:37:21,300 THAT WE WILL ALL BE AND LESS OF 1063 00:37:21,300 --> 00:37:24,000 AN IMPACT ON ANY ONE PARTICULAR 1064 00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:24,333 SECTOR. 1065 00:37:24,333 --> 00:37:25,967 >> AUSTIN, ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, 1066 00:37:25,967 --> 00:37:27,800 HAD A QUESTION ABOUT ONE OF THE 1067 00:37:27,800 --> 00:37:30,300 BIG TICKET ITEMS IN THE 1068 00:37:30,300 --> 00:37:31,867 EXEMPTION AREA. 1069 00:37:31,867 --> 00:37:34,333 AUSTIN, WHY DON'T YOU ASK THEM 1070 00:37:34,333 --> 00:37:35,800 ABOUT IT? 1071 00:37:35,800 --> 00:37:38,433 >> [INDISCERNIBLE] WHAT'S GOING 1072 00:37:38,433 --> 00:37:41,200 ON WITH THE FILM TAX CREDIT. 1073 00:37:41,200 --> 00:37:41,600 [LAUGHTER] 1074 00:37:41,600 --> 00:37:42,500 MY QUESTION IS DIRECTED TOWARD 1075 00:37:42,500 --> 00:37:43,967 THE LEGISLATURES. 1076 00:37:43,967 --> 00:37:46,933 SO, ESSENTIALLY, THE 1077 00:37:46,933 --> 00:37:48,800 [INDISCERNIBLE] WAS $180 1078 00:37:48,800 --> 00:37:50,100 MILLION, THAT WOULD BE DEDICATED 1079 00:37:50,100 --> 00:37:52,500 TO IT FOR THIS YEAR. 1080 00:37:52,500 --> 00:37:54,000 SPEAKING FROM A BUSINESS 1081 00:37:54,000 --> 00:37:57,400 STANDPOINT OR FROM THE IDEA OF 1082 00:37:57,400 --> 00:37:59,333 FAIRNESS, HOW DOES THAT OR WILL 1083 00:37:59,333 --> 00:38:01,867 THAT EFFECT BUSINESS NEGATIVELY 1084 00:38:01,867 --> 00:38:04,767 OR POSITIVELY BEING THAT IT IS 1085 00:38:04,767 --> 00:38:06,933 CAPPED AND THERE'S NO MORE MONEY 1086 00:38:06,933 --> 00:38:08,233 THAT CAN BE SPENT ON. 1087 00:38:08,233 --> 00:38:10,433 >> EVERY TIME YOU GIVE SOMEONE A 1088 00:38:10,433 --> 00:38:11,833 CREDIT, YOU HAVE TO LOOK, DO 1089 00:38:11,833 --> 00:38:14,400 THEY BRING ANYTHING EXTRA TO THE 1090 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:19,067 TABLE, OTHER THAN LOBBYIST TO 1091 00:38:19,067 --> 00:38:20,733 BATON ROUGE THAT CRY ABOUT IT. 1092 00:38:20,733 --> 00:38:26,467 IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STOKES 1093 00:38:26,467 --> 00:38:28,767 SOUTHERN STATES ARE DOING, IT'S 1094 00:38:28,767 --> 00:38:30,567 TOO GENEROUS. 1095 00:38:30,567 --> 00:38:32,633 I DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH THE 1096 00:38:32,633 --> 00:38:33,533 CREDIT WE HAND OUT. 1097 00:38:33,533 --> 00:38:34,867 >> DR. RICHARDSON, DO YOU HAVE A 1098 00:38:34,867 --> 00:38:36,733 VIEW ON THE FILM TAX CREDIT? 1099 00:38:36,733 --> 00:38:39,033 >> IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE 1100 00:38:39,033 --> 00:38:40,767 STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE, YOU 1101 00:38:40,767 --> 00:38:42,900 FIND WHAT ERIC SAID IS CORRECT 1102 00:38:42,900 --> 00:38:45,433 AND THAT IS IN THE SENSE OF THE 1103 00:38:45,433 --> 00:38:47,500 DOLLARS THAT WE PAY OUT IN THE 1104 00:38:47,500 --> 00:38:53,133 CREDIT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE 1105 00:38:53,133 --> 00:38:54,033 THAN WE GET BACK. 1106 00:38:54,033 --> 00:38:56,100 SO IN THE COST RATIO, THE STATE 1107 00:38:56,100 --> 00:38:57,033 DOES NOT WIN. 1108 00:38:57,033 --> 00:38:58,500 THERE'S NO DOUBT ON THE OTHER 1109 00:38:58,500 --> 00:39:02,167 HAND, IF YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING 1110 00:39:02,167 --> 00:39:05,167 SOMETHING -- A CREDIT CREATES 1111 00:39:05,167 --> 00:39:07,700 ACTIVITY AND INTEREST. 1112 00:39:07,700 --> 00:39:12,167 IT DOES NOT BRING BACK THE 1113 00:39:12,167 --> 00:39:12,533 DOLLARS. 1114 00:39:12,533 --> 00:39:17,967 >> HAS HOLLYWOOD SOUTH GONE 1115 00:39:17,967 --> 00:39:18,300 SOUTH? 1116 00:39:18,300 --> 00:39:19,500 >> I THINK WE STILL HAVE 1117 00:39:19,500 --> 00:39:22,533 ACTIVITIES GOING ON BUT IT'S 1118 00:39:22,533 --> 00:39:24,000 VERY COMPETITIVE. 1119 00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:26,267 WITHIN ALL THE STATES TO TRY TO 1120 00:39:26,267 --> 00:39:29,933 LURE THAT FILM INDUSTRY TO THEM. 1121 00:39:29,933 --> 00:39:31,867 HOWEVER, I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE 1122 00:39:31,867 --> 00:39:34,233 SEARCHING FOR RIGHT NOW IS A 1123 00:39:34,233 --> 00:39:35,833 TRUE AUDIT PROCESS SO THAT WE DO 1124 00:39:35,833 --> 00:39:37,533 SEE A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT 1125 00:39:37,533 --> 00:39:39,533 AND REALLY LOOK AT THAT AND 1126 00:39:39,533 --> 00:39:42,433 ANYTHING TO DO WITH TAX CREDITS. 1127 00:39:42,433 --> 00:39:44,500 ARE WE EMPLOYING THE PEOPLE WE 1128 00:39:44,500 --> 00:39:45,833 SAY WE WERE WHEN WE WERE GETTING 1129 00:39:45,833 --> 00:39:51,300 THE TAX CREDITS TO BEGIN WITH? 1130 00:39:51,300 --> 00:39:54,333 I THINK THAT A REAL TRUE FOCUS 1131 00:39:54,333 --> 00:39:58,367 ON THAT WILL TELL THE TALE. 1132 00:39:58,367 --> 00:40:01,967 >> I THINK SOMEONE SPOKE 1133 00:40:01,967 --> 00:40:03,933 ABOUT -- I THINK -- 1134 00:40:03,933 --> 00:40:04,733 SELF-INTERESTED, WHICH IS 1135 00:40:04,733 --> 00:40:06,667 ENTIRELY THE CASE. 1136 00:40:06,667 --> 00:40:08,567 I'M A STATE WORKER. 1137 00:40:08,567 --> 00:40:13,100 I HAVE AN OLDER BROTHER WITH 1138 00:40:13,100 --> 00:40:18,433 SPINAL DI 1139 00:40:18,433 --> 00:40:21,667 SPINAL BIFFDUH. 1140 00:40:21,667 --> 00:40:23,967 I KNOW HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BEEN 1141 00:40:23,967 --> 00:40:27,033 RAISED AT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT. 1142 00:40:27,033 --> 00:40:30,667 MY QUESTION WILL BE TO CHAIRMAN 1143 00:40:30,667 --> 00:40:32,233 LAFLEUR, AFTER THIS SESSION, ARE 1144 00:40:32,233 --> 00:40:34,867 YOU MORE CONFIDENT OR LESS 1145 00:40:34,867 --> 00:40:37,000 CONFIDENT IN THE LONG-TERM 1146 00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:38,667 HEALTH FINANCIALLY OF THIS 1147 00:40:38,667 --> 00:40:39,000 STATE? 1148 00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:40,467 >> I MEAN, MY CONCERN IS THAT 1149 00:40:40,467 --> 00:40:42,433 THE VOTES THAT WE TOOK, AT THIS 1150 00:40:42,433 --> 00:40:43,800 POINT, WERE ALL TEMPORARY IN 1151 00:40:43,800 --> 00:40:45,567 NATURE AND FAIRLY EASY TO MAKE 1152 00:40:45,567 --> 00:40:47,200 BECAUSE THEY WERE ONLY TEMPORARY 1153 00:40:47,200 --> 00:40:48,800 AND IT WAS ONLY A FIX TO GET US 1154 00:40:48,800 --> 00:40:50,567 TO THE FOLLOWING YEAR. 1155 00:40:50,567 --> 00:40:52,567 THE NEXT VOTES, IF THEY'RE GOING 1156 00:40:52,567 --> 00:40:54,233 TO BE STRUCTURAL CHANGES, THE 1157 00:40:54,233 --> 00:40:56,767 KIND THAT THE COMMISSION WILL 1158 00:40:56,767 --> 00:40:59,867 PRESENT, I GUESS WE'LL PICK FROM 1159 00:40:59,867 --> 00:41:02,067 THEIR MENU OF ITEMS. 1160 00:41:02,067 --> 00:41:04,300 I HOPE THE GUYS I SERVE WITH AND 1161 00:41:04,300 --> 00:41:06,600 THE WOMEN I SERVE WITH HAVE THE 1162 00:41:06,600 --> 00:41:07,833 POLITICAL WILL TO PUT THE STATE 1163 00:41:07,833 --> 00:41:10,700 ON A TRACK WHERE WE SEE EVERY 1164 00:41:10,700 --> 00:41:13,167 YEAR REGULAR REVENUE, NOT 1165 00:41:13,167 --> 00:41:16,400 NECESSARILY INCREASING AN 1166 00:41:16,400 --> 00:41:17,933 EXTRAORDINARY RATE, BUT AN 1167 00:41:17,933 --> 00:41:19,300 APPROPRIATE RATE TO SUSTAIN 1168 00:41:19,300 --> 00:41:21,300 GOVERNMENT AND THE BASIC 1169 00:41:21,300 --> 00:41:23,900 SERVICES WE PROVIDE SO HAVE KIDS 1170 00:41:23,900 --> 00:41:26,833 IN HIGH SCHOOL HAVE PLANNED OUT 1171 00:41:26,833 --> 00:41:29,433 FOUR YEARS GET WHAT THEY WORKED 1172 00:41:29,433 --> 00:41:29,733 FOR. 1173 00:41:29,733 --> 00:41:32,667 SO WE NEED SOMETHING THAT'S 1174 00:41:32,667 --> 00:41:34,233 LONG-TERM AND RELIABLE AND 1175 00:41:34,233 --> 00:41:36,367 THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I 1176 00:41:36,367 --> 00:41:37,633 THINK DR. RICHARDSON WOULD AGREE 1177 00:41:37,633 --> 00:41:39,967 THAT THE CREDIT AGENCIES ARE 1178 00:41:39,967 --> 00:41:43,767 LOOKING AT US AS DOWNGRADING AND 1179 00:41:43,767 --> 00:41:45,500 WE'VE BEEN ON WATCH BECAUSE THEY 1180 00:41:45,500 --> 00:41:47,600 LOOK AT US AS A FISCAL HOUSE. 1181 00:41:47,600 --> 00:41:51,167 >> THAT'S NOT IN ORDER. 1182 00:41:51,167 --> 00:41:55,067 >> THE SENATORS AND THE 1183 00:41:55,067 --> 00:41:57,567 REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE A 1184 00:41:57,567 --> 00:41:58,967 TREMENDOUSLY TOUGH JOB. 1185 00:41:58,967 --> 00:41:59,867 IT'S MORE THAN THEM. 1186 00:41:59,867 --> 00:42:01,633 IT'S THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE. 1187 00:42:01,633 --> 00:42:04,367 MANY OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO 1188 00:42:04,367 --> 00:42:06,167 CHANGE ARE CONSSTUGZAL SO WE'RE 1189 00:42:06,167 --> 00:42:07,567 GOING TO ASK THE REPRESENTATIVES 1190 00:42:07,567 --> 00:42:09,833 AND THE SENATORS TO GIVE YOU AN 1191 00:42:09,833 --> 00:42:11,267 OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK YOUR MIND 1192 00:42:11,267 --> 00:42:15,233 ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND AS A 1193 00:42:15,233 --> 00:42:17,233 COMMUNITY, ARE WE PREPARED TO 1194 00:42:17,233 --> 00:42:20,167 VOTE FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS? 1195 00:42:20,167 --> 00:42:21,900 ANY TIME YOU SUGGEST A CHANGE IN 1196 00:42:21,900 --> 00:42:23,967 THE TAX, THERE ARE GOING TO BE 1197 00:42:23,967 --> 00:42:27,933 CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO LIKE IT, 1198 00:42:27,933 --> 00:42:29,767 PERSONALLY. 1199 00:42:29,767 --> 00:42:32,367 AND CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT 1200 00:42:32,367 --> 00:42:33,533 LIKE IT QUITE AS MUCH. 1201 00:42:33,533 --> 00:42:35,800 THERE'S NO WAY TO GET AROUND 1202 00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:36,600 THAT. 1203 00:42:36,600 --> 00:42:37,800 THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE 1204 00:42:37,800 --> 00:42:40,300 WHEN WE DO IT, THAT WE AREN'T 1205 00:42:40,300 --> 00:42:42,700 AIMING AT ANY ONE SECTOR OF THE 1206 00:42:42,700 --> 00:42:44,333 ECONOMY OR ANY ONE GROUP OF 1207 00:42:44,333 --> 00:42:46,800 PEOPLE OR TRYING TO MAKE IT JUST 1208 00:42:46,800 --> 00:42:48,833 AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE 1209 00:42:48,833 --> 00:42:50,233 HORIZONTALLY, ACROSS PEOPLE WITH 1210 00:42:50,233 --> 00:42:52,533 THE SAME INCOME OR VERTICALLY, 1211 00:42:52,533 --> 00:42:54,700 PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT INCOMES 1212 00:42:54,700 --> 00:42:56,533 AND THAT'S HARD TO DO AND PEOPLE 1213 00:42:56,533 --> 00:42:58,600 HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WHAT'S 1214 00:42:58,600 --> 00:42:59,000 GOOD. 1215 00:42:59,000 --> 00:43:00,767 IT'S GOING TO BE A CHOICE OF THE 1216 00:43:00,767 --> 00:43:03,467 PEOPLE, AS WELL, IT'S A CHOICE 1217 00:43:03,467 --> 00:43:05,867 OF OUR LEGISLATURES. 1218 00:43:05,867 --> 00:43:07,067 >> DR. RICHARDSON, YOU TOUCHED 1219 00:43:07,067 --> 00:43:10,267 ON SOMETHING THAT KELLY HAS A 1220 00:43:10,267 --> 00:43:11,467 BIG GLOBAL QUESTION ABOUT. 1221 00:43:11,467 --> 00:43:14,267 >> MY INTEREST, OF COURSE, YOU 1222 00:43:14,267 --> 00:43:16,800 KNOW, SELFISH HERE, IT'S FOR 1223 00:43:16,800 --> 00:43:21,100 SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY. 1224 00:43:21,100 --> 00:43:25,200 WE'RE -- AND I DO UNDERSTAND AND 1225 00:43:25,200 --> 00:43:27,833 REALLY SYMPATHIZE WITH EVERYONE. 1226 00:43:27,833 --> 00:43:30,633 I WAS A BENEFICIARY OF "TOPS," I 1227 00:43:30,633 --> 00:43:34,300 GOT PAID $800 A SEMESTER FOR 1228 00:43:34,300 --> 00:43:34,933 GOING TO SCHOOL. 1229 00:43:34,933 --> 00:43:37,067 I GET IT, IT'S NEEDED. 1230 00:43:37,067 --> 00:43:37,833 IT'S NECESSARY. 1231 00:43:37,833 --> 00:43:40,367 BUT THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH -- 1232 00:43:40,367 --> 00:43:42,000 WE'RE NOT ASKING TO GO TO 1233 00:43:42,000 --> 00:43:43,500 COLLEGE, WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM 1234 00:43:43,500 --> 00:43:45,267 TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE. 1235 00:43:45,267 --> 00:43:47,300 WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM TO MAYBE 1236 00:43:47,300 --> 00:43:48,933 BE ABLE TO EAT LIKE YOU AND I 1237 00:43:48,933 --> 00:43:51,100 CAN EAT, LIKE YOU AND I CAN SIT 1238 00:43:51,100 --> 00:43:51,933 HERE AND TALK. 1239 00:43:51,933 --> 00:43:54,233 WE'RE ASKING FOR HELP TO GET 1240 00:43:54,233 --> 00:43:55,300 THEM TO THAT POINT. 1241 00:43:55,300 --> 00:44:01,967 IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY OF A 1242 00:44:01,967 --> 00:44:04,300 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO 1243 00:44:04,300 --> 00:44:08,400 SECURE FUNDS FOR THE WAIVER 1244 00:44:08,400 --> 00:44:10,400 SERVICES OR EXPAND THE BUDGET 1245 00:44:10,400 --> 00:44:12,000 FOR THE WAIVER SERVICES TO 1246 00:44:12,000 --> 00:44:13,700 INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON 1247 00:44:13,700 --> 00:44:15,900 THE WAITING LIST FOR 10-PLUS 1248 00:44:15,900 --> 00:44:16,233 YEAR. 1249 00:44:16,233 --> 00:44:19,000 >> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE 1250 00:44:19,000 --> 00:44:20,400 AREN'T GETTING THE SUPPORT. 1251 00:44:20,400 --> 00:44:22,300 >> THOUSANDS THAT NEED -- THAT 1252 00:44:22,300 --> 00:44:24,067 ARE SITTING HERE DYING, WAITING. 1253 00:44:24,067 --> 00:44:25,633 >> AS FAR AS THE CONSTITUTION 1254 00:44:25,633 --> 00:44:28,400 THERE'S A LOT OF DEDICATED 1255 00:44:28,400 --> 00:44:29,767 FUNDING OUT THERE THAT WE CAN'T 1256 00:44:29,767 --> 00:44:30,100 TOUCH. 1257 00:44:30,100 --> 00:44:34,267 I THINK THAT SOMETIMES IT GETS 1258 00:44:34,267 --> 00:44:34,700 OFF-BALANCE. 1259 00:44:34,700 --> 00:44:36,100 THE WAY I SEE IT, YOU CAN PUT 1260 00:44:36,100 --> 00:44:38,400 YOUR MONIES ASIDE FOR SOMETHING 1261 00:44:38,400 --> 00:44:41,400 AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE BREAKS 1262 00:44:41,400 --> 00:44:41,700 LOOSE. 1263 00:44:41,700 --> 00:44:44,067 IT'S THE SAME WAY IN THE STATE. 1264 00:44:44,067 --> 00:44:46,067 DEDICATE NT TOp? 1265 00:44:46,067 --> 00:44:48,567 FUNDING, IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE 1266 00:44:48,567 --> 00:44:49,000 OF THAT. 1267 00:44:49,000 --> 00:44:51,533 AND WE'VE SEEN IT. 1268 00:44:51,533 --> 00:44:53,300 HOWEVER, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND 1269 00:44:53,300 --> 00:44:56,000 THE NEED FOR THOSE WAVERS. 1270 00:44:56,000 --> 00:45:00,000 I, TOO, HAVE A DOWN SYNDROME 1271 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:00,333 UNCLE. 1272 00:45:00,333 --> 00:45:01,467 ALL ME KNOWS IS LOVE. 1273 00:45:01,467 --> 00:45:04,233 AND HE WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN 1274 00:45:04,233 --> 00:45:06,800 INDEPENDENT IN HIS HOME AND HIS 1275 00:45:06,800 --> 00:45:10,133 MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER'S 94 1276 00:45:10,133 --> 00:45:12,333 YEARS OLD WITH AN AMPUTATED LEG. 1277 00:45:12,333 --> 00:45:14,133 I GET IT AND I UNDERSTAND IT AND 1278 00:45:14,133 --> 00:45:17,467 I'VE SEEN IT AND THE FUNDING IS 1279 00:45:17,467 --> 00:45:19,200 VERY CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT. 1280 00:45:19,200 --> 00:45:20,533 THEY ARE ALL CITIZENS OF THIS 1281 00:45:20,533 --> 00:45:23,633 STATE AND MANY OF THEM -- THEIR 1282 00:45:23,633 --> 00:45:25,533 PARENTS AND THE CAREGIVERS HAVE 1283 00:45:25,533 --> 00:45:27,833 PAID THEIR DUES TO RECEIVE THAT 1284 00:45:27,833 --> 00:45:29,167 TYPE OF SERVICE SO I UNDERSTAND 1285 00:45:29,167 --> 00:45:32,167 AND I COMPLETELY GET IT AND WORK 1286 00:45:32,167 --> 00:45:33,900 VERY, VERY HARD IN TRYING TO GET 1287 00:45:33,900 --> 00:45:35,167 THE FUNDS FOR IT. 1288 00:45:35,167 --> 00:45:37,200 >> YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING THE 1289 00:45:37,200 --> 00:45:39,033 LEGISLATURE IN ACTION FOR SO 1290 00:45:39,033 --> 00:45:41,867 MANY YEARS AND THERE'S ALL TYPES 1291 00:45:41,867 --> 00:45:43,333 OF LOBBYIST THAT COME. 1292 00:45:43,333 --> 00:45:45,200 THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DIFFERENT 1293 00:45:45,200 --> 00:45:46,767 KIND OF LOBBYING GROUP AND 1294 00:45:46,767 --> 00:45:49,200 WHAT'S YOUR PERCEPTION OF HOW 1295 00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:50,233 IMPACTFUL THEY ARE? 1296 00:45:50,233 --> 00:45:53,600 AND EXPLAIN TO OTHERS WHAT IT'S 1297 00:45:53,600 --> 00:45:55,667 LIKE EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY COME 1298 00:45:55,667 --> 00:45:57,333 IN, IN FAVOR OF THE WAIVERS? 1299 00:45:57,333 --> 00:45:59,000 >> WHAT YOU HAVE EVERY YEAR 1300 00:45:59,000 --> 00:46:01,967 DURING THE APPROPRIATIONS AND 1301 00:46:01,967 --> 00:46:04,000 SENATE FINANCE PROCESS, YOU SEE 1302 00:46:04,000 --> 00:46:06,267 A LOT OF FAMILY MEMBERS WITH 1303 00:46:06,267 --> 00:46:07,833 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO 1304 00:46:07,833 --> 00:46:09,533 SHOW UP IN YELLOW SHIRTS. 1305 00:46:09,533 --> 00:46:11,633 YOU WILL SEE THEM PACK COMMITTEE 1306 00:46:11,633 --> 00:46:12,000 ROOMS. 1307 00:46:12,000 --> 00:46:13,533 THIS ROOM, YOU SAW DIFFERENT 1308 00:46:13,533 --> 00:46:15,500 KINDS OF SHIRTS BECAUSE SO MANY 1309 00:46:15,500 --> 00:46:19,367 PEOPLE WERE FACING BUDGET CUTS. 1310 00:46:19,367 --> 00:46:25,133 THEY WILL BUTTON HOLE 1311 00:46:25,133 --> 00:46:25,600 LEGISLATURES. 1312 00:46:25,600 --> 00:46:28,767 I'M SURE SENATOR LAFLEUR HAS HAD 1313 00:46:28,767 --> 00:46:30,367 THAT HAPPEN AND WHITE. 1314 00:46:30,367 --> 00:46:33,967 THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME 1315 00:46:33,967 --> 00:46:35,267 ADVOCATING FOR DISABILITIES 1316 00:46:35,267 --> 00:46:35,600 SERVICES. 1317 00:46:35,600 --> 00:46:37,733 YOU HAVE SEEN, IN THESE THREE 1318 00:46:37,733 --> 00:46:39,333 SESSIONS, YOU HAD FOLKS WHO 1319 00:46:39,333 --> 00:46:41,700 SHOWED UP IN EVERY TAX COMMITTEE 1320 00:46:41,700 --> 00:46:44,833 HEARING TO PITCH THAT MONEY WAS 1321 00:46:44,833 --> 00:46:46,333 NEEDED TO BE RAISED TO HELP THEM 1322 00:46:46,333 --> 00:46:48,367 COVER THEIR SERVICES. 1323 00:46:48,367 --> 00:46:51,300 ALSO, YOU JUST -- THE TESTIMONY 1324 00:46:51,300 --> 00:46:53,567 IS SO EMOTIONAL AND PEOPLE HAVE 1325 00:46:53,567 --> 00:46:57,900 SUCH PERSONAL AND REAL STORIES 1326 00:46:57,900 --> 00:47:02,733 AND PARTICULARLY IN SENATOR 1327 00:47:02,733 --> 00:47:03,933 LAFLEUR'S PLACE, THERE WERE 1328 00:47:03,933 --> 00:47:05,633 PEOPLE CRYING LISTENING TO THE 1329 00:47:05,633 --> 00:47:07,700 TESTIMONY OF THE PARENTS AND 1330 00:47:07,700 --> 00:47:10,367 SIBLINGS AND GROWN UPS WHO CAN'T 1331 00:47:10,367 --> 00:47:12,567 SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES IN SOME 1332 00:47:12,567 --> 00:47:14,333 INSTANCES AND NEED HELP FROM THE 1333 00:47:14,333 --> 00:47:15,433 STATE IN SOME FASHION. 1334 00:47:15,433 --> 00:47:18,533 IT WAS IMPACTFUL IN THE LEVEL OF 1335 00:47:18,533 --> 00:47:20,600 THE WAIVER PROGRAMS AND THEY 1336 00:47:20,600 --> 00:47:21,233 DIDN'T GET CUT. 1337 00:47:21,233 --> 00:47:23,067 THEY WERE REALLY THREATENED WITH 1338 00:47:23,067 --> 00:47:24,300 CUTS FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. 1339 00:47:24,300 --> 00:47:26,233 SO IT CLEARLY MADE A DIFFERENCE 1340 00:47:26,233 --> 00:47:28,600 TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE HERE EVERY 1341 00:47:28,600 --> 00:47:28,900 YEAR. 1342 00:47:28,900 --> 00:47:32,867 BUT IT IS JUST KIND OF A 1343 00:47:32,867 --> 00:47:34,200 COMMENTARY ON THE 1344 00:47:34,200 --> 00:47:35,200 [INDISCERNIBLE] OF THE LOUISIANA 1345 00:47:35,200 --> 00:47:36,667 BUDGET PROCESS FROM YEAR TO 1346 00:47:36,667 --> 00:47:36,967 YEAR. 1347 00:47:36,967 --> 00:47:39,200 THESE FOLKS IN THESE YELLOW 1348 00:47:39,200 --> 00:47:41,900 SHIRTS ARE SO WELL-KNOWN BECAUSE 1349 00:47:41,900 --> 00:47:43,633 UP YEAR AFTER 1350 00:47:43,633 --> 00:47:45,200 YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THEIR 1351 00:47:45,200 --> 00:47:47,533 SERVICES ARE NEVER PROTECTED. 1352 00:47:47,533 --> 00:47:50,700 >> SENATOR LAFLEUR, HAVE WE SEEN 1353 00:47:50,700 --> 00:47:53,200 MORE LOBBYISTS OVER THE YEARS? 1354 00:47:53,200 --> 00:47:55,700 >> YOU'LL SEE MORE LOBBYISTS 1355 00:47:55,700 --> 00:47:57,833 NEXT YEAR. 1356 00:47:57,833 --> 00:47:59,567 EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE 1357 00:47:59,567 --> 00:48:00,867 AFFECTED BY ANY TAX WE'RE GOING 1358 00:48:00,867 --> 00:48:03,133 TO BRING, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE 1359 00:48:03,133 --> 00:48:03,533 THERE TO. 1360 00:48:03,533 --> 00:48:06,400 >> EVERY TAX, EVERY EXEMPTION, 1361 00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:07,133 EVERY CREDIT. 1362 00:48:07,133 --> 00:48:10,133 >> THE PROBLEM WITH TAXES, 1363 00:48:10,133 --> 00:48:12,300 POLITICIANS, THEY'RE ALSO 1364 00:48:12,300 --> 00:48:14,033 RATIONAL THINKERS, TOO, AND THEY 1365 00:48:14,033 --> 00:48:17,967 LIKE TO TAKE THE PATH OF LEAST 1366 00:48:17,967 --> 00:48:18,367 RESISTANCE. 1367 00:48:18,367 --> 00:48:21,467 YOU HAVE TO TAKE DIFFICULT VOTES 1368 00:48:21,467 --> 00:48:23,500 THEY REQUIRE YOU TO DO MORE. 1369 00:48:23,500 --> 00:48:27,133 YOU HAVE TO GO TO EVERY CHAMBER 1370 00:48:27,133 --> 00:48:28,400 MEETING, ROTARY CLUB MEETING SO 1371 00:48:28,400 --> 00:48:31,133 YOU CAN EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE 1372 00:48:31,133 --> 00:48:36,400 BEHIND THAT VOTE YOU CAN GET THE 1373 00:48:36,400 --> 00:48:36,767 SUPPORT. 1374 00:48:36,767 --> 00:48:38,867 IT REQUIRES A LOT, A LOT OF WORK 1375 00:48:38,867 --> 00:48:40,433 BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE THE 1376 00:48:40,433 --> 00:48:40,767 PUBLIC. 1377 00:48:40,767 --> 00:48:42,300 YOU HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT 1378 00:48:42,300 --> 00:48:43,367 YOU'RE DOING AND WHY YOU'RE 1379 00:48:43,367 --> 00:48:44,233 DOING IT. 1380 00:48:44,233 --> 00:48:45,767 SO IF YOU ARE -- THE GUYS WITH 1381 00:48:45,767 --> 00:48:47,400 THE YELLOW SHIRTS, YOU DON'T 1382 00:48:47,400 --> 00:48:48,933 KNOW WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE UNLESS 1383 00:48:48,933 --> 00:48:52,000 YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A CHILD 1384 00:48:52,000 --> 00:48:52,800 [INDISCERNIBLE] DISABLED FOR 1385 00:48:52,800 --> 00:48:54,667 SOME REASON AND REQUIRES THIS 1386 00:48:54,667 --> 00:48:55,800 EXTRA ATTENTION. 1387 00:48:55,800 --> 00:48:57,867 ONCE THAT GETS TO THE 1388 00:48:57,867 --> 00:48:59,500 LEGISLATURES, THEY TEND TO THINK 1389 00:48:59,500 --> 00:49:00,067 DIFFERENTLY. 1390 00:49:00,067 --> 00:49:01,467 IT'S THE SAME THING WITH TAXES. 1391 00:49:01,467 --> 00:49:03,800 YOU HAVE TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK 1392 00:49:03,800 --> 00:49:04,900 DIFFERENTLY ON WHAT YOU'RE 1393 00:49:04,900 --> 00:49:06,700 VOTING ON BECAUSE THEY THINK OF 1394 00:49:06,700 --> 00:49:10,600 IT AS TAX AND DON'T UNDERSTAND 1395 00:49:10,600 --> 00:49:12,633 THE RATIONALE. 1396 00:49:12,633 --> 00:49:13,600 POLITICIANS WHO ARE TRYING TO 1397 00:49:13,600 --> 00:49:15,800 MAKE A DIFFERENCE WILL GO HOME 1398 00:49:15,800 --> 00:49:18,800 AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES 1399 00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:21,300 AND RATIONALE AND FIND THE 1400 00:49:21,300 --> 00:49:21,667 SUPPORT. 1401 00:49:21,667 --> 00:49:23,200 >> OUR MOST RATIONAL 1402 00:49:23,200 --> 00:49:25,300 REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS PANEL, 1403 00:49:25,300 --> 00:49:26,200 REPRESENTATIVE WHITE, WHAT DO 1404 00:49:26,200 --> 00:49:26,900 YOU THINK? 1405 00:49:26,900 --> 00:49:29,200 >> THAT'S WHAT I WITNESSED THIS 1406 00:49:29,200 --> 00:49:29,500 YEAR. 1407 00:49:29,500 --> 00:49:32,467 IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO 1408 00:49:32,467 --> 00:49:35,067 MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS. 1409 00:49:35,067 --> 00:49:36,633 IT'S ALSO SELF-IMPOSED. 1410 00:49:36,633 --> 00:49:38,733 I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL 1411 00:49:38,733 --> 00:49:40,633 THAT AS A POLITICIAN, THAT THIS 1412 00:49:40,633 --> 00:49:43,267 DOESN'T IMPACT YOU AS WELL 1413 00:49:43,267 --> 00:49:45,767 FINANCIALLY AND IT DOES, AS A 1414 00:49:45,767 --> 00:49:47,067 BUSINESS OWNER, IT DOES. 1415 00:49:47,067 --> 00:49:49,533 YET AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE 1416 00:49:49,533 --> 00:49:51,267 TO REALIZE THAT YOU WANT AND 1417 00:49:51,267 --> 00:49:52,733 NEED THESE SERVICES AND THEY 1418 00:49:52,733 --> 00:49:55,067 MUST BE FUNDED AND THEN YOU HEAR 1419 00:49:55,067 --> 00:49:57,400 ABOUT FRAUD AND FRAUDULENT -- 1420 00:49:57,400 --> 00:49:58,733 FRIVOLOUS SPENDING AND THINGS 1421 00:49:58,733 --> 00:50:01,033 LIKE THAT AND YET WE STILL HAVE 1422 00:50:01,033 --> 00:50:02,467 TO WORK HARD AT FOLLOWING THAT 1423 00:50:02,467 --> 00:50:04,200 AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE 1424 00:50:04,200 --> 00:50:05,367 WEEDING OUT THOSE THINGS. 1425 00:50:05,367 --> 00:50:07,000 THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. 1426 00:50:07,000 --> 00:50:09,767 THE WORKINGS OF CONARTISTS ARE 1427 00:50:09,767 --> 00:50:12,033 NOT SO EASILY UNRAVELED. 1428 00:50:12,033 --> 00:50:14,300 THE COURAGE THAT IT TAKES TO DO 1429 00:50:14,300 --> 00:50:18,067 THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WAS 1430 00:50:18,067 --> 00:50:21,167 VERY SURPRISED BY THIS YEAR. 1431 00:50:21,167 --> 00:50:24,067 I WILL SAY, GO ON RECORD IN 1432 00:50:24,067 --> 00:50:28,833 SAYING THAT I WAS ELECTED TO 1433 00:50:28,833 --> 00:50:30,700 SERVE THESE FOUR YEARS. 1434 00:50:30,700 --> 00:50:32,700 I'VE BEEN CALLED A FOOL NOT TO 1435 00:50:32,700 --> 00:50:34,500 LOOK AT REELECTION. 1436 00:50:34,500 --> 00:50:38,067 I FEEL LIKE IF WE PULL TOGETHER 1437 00:50:38,067 --> 00:50:39,700 INDEPENDENTLY AND UNITE IN WHAT 1438 00:50:39,700 --> 00:50:41,700 WE DO AND WE CAN REALLY FIX THE 1439 00:50:41,700 --> 00:50:43,167 PROBLEMS OF LOUISIANA AND BRING 1440 00:50:43,167 --> 00:50:45,300 US UP TO THE LEVEL THAT WE'RE 1441 00:50:45,300 --> 00:50:47,633 NOT AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL STATE 1442 00:50:47,633 --> 00:50:49,767 RECORDS OF COMPARISONS, THEN I 1443 00:50:49,767 --> 00:50:50,967 BELIEVE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO 1444 00:50:50,967 --> 00:50:53,567 WORRY ABOUT OUR SUNSET DATES. 1445 00:50:53,567 --> 00:50:55,667 I BELIEVE WE WILL BE RE-ELECTED 1446 00:50:55,667 --> 00:50:57,767 AND DO THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR 1447 00:50:57,767 --> 00:50:59,533 THE PEOPLE AS A WHOLE. 1448 00:50:59,533 --> 00:51:01,700 THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT AS A 1449 00:51:01,700 --> 00:51:04,233 FRESHMAN AND I PRAY I CONTINUE 1450 00:51:04,233 --> 00:51:05,567 TO LEAD THAT WAY. 1451 00:51:05,567 --> 00:51:07,733 >> YOU'RE STILL ENCOURAGING AND 1452 00:51:07,733 --> 00:51:08,800 I LIKE TO HEAR THAT. 1453 00:51:08,800 --> 00:51:12,000 ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, TAYLOR, HAD 1454 00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:13,333 A QUESTION ABOUT VALUES AND HOW 1455 00:51:13,333 --> 00:51:15,000 YOU MAKE DECISIONS. 1456 00:51:15,000 --> 00:51:15,333 TAYLOR? 1457 00:51:15,333 --> 00:51:16,867 >> HI. 1458 00:51:16,867 --> 00:51:20,167 I WAS WONDERING WHICH ITEMS WERE 1459 00:51:20,167 --> 00:51:21,667 PUT AT PRIORITY WHEN DECIDING 1460 00:51:21,667 --> 00:51:24,467 WHAT MONEY GOES WHERE WITH THE 1461 00:51:24,467 --> 00:51:25,467 BUDGET THIS YEAR? 1462 00:51:25,467 --> 00:51:28,333 >> I CAN ANSWER THAT FOR MYSELF. 1463 00:51:28,333 --> 00:51:30,800 I HAVE A PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN 1464 00:51:30,800 --> 00:51:34,267 MY DISTRICT AND A RURAL HOSPITAL 1465 00:51:34,267 --> 00:51:35,767 AND THAT IS IT. 1466 00:51:35,767 --> 00:51:37,900 SO WHEN IT CAME TO THE DECISION 1467 00:51:37,900 --> 00:51:41,500 BETWEEN FUNDING "TOPS" FULLY AND 1468 00:51:41,500 --> 00:51:43,000 FUNDING THE HOSPITALS, I WILL 1469 00:51:43,000 --> 00:51:45,167 TELL YOU THE EXAMPLE I USE MANY, 1470 00:51:45,167 --> 00:51:46,200 MANY TIMES. 1471 00:51:46,200 --> 00:51:48,100 IF ANY LEGISLATURE CAME THROUGH 1472 00:51:48,100 --> 00:51:50,733 MY AREA OR ANYONE CAME UP ON A 1473 00:51:50,733 --> 00:51:54,367 CAR ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG PERSON 1474 00:51:54,367 --> 00:51:57,200 INVOLVED, YOU WOULD NOT THROW 1475 00:51:57,200 --> 00:51:59,500 $1,000 BILL AT THAT STUDENT AND 1476 00:51:59,500 --> 00:52:01,233 SAY, GOOD LUCK AT COLLEGE. 1477 00:52:01,233 --> 00:52:04,833 YOU WOULD GET THEM TO THE 1478 00:52:04,833 --> 00:52:05,200 HOSPITAL. 1479 00:52:05,200 --> 00:52:07,700 IF IT WAS -- THEY HAVE TAKEN 1480 00:52:07,700 --> 00:52:09,033 LOSSES IN THE PAST. 1481 00:52:09,033 --> 00:52:11,400 THEY WOULD MEANT AN HOUR, TWO 1482 00:52:11,400 --> 00:52:14,933 AND A HALF HOURS DEPENDING ON IF 1483 00:52:14,933 --> 00:52:15,933 YOU'RE INSURED OR NOT. 1484 00:52:15,933 --> 00:52:18,500 IT WAS A MATTER OF LIFE OVER 1485 00:52:18,500 --> 00:52:19,400 DEATH FOR ME. 1486 00:52:19,400 --> 00:52:21,933 I TAKE EDUCATION VERY HIGHLY AND 1487 00:52:21,933 --> 00:52:24,133 SUPPORT OF IT, WE HAVE TO 1488 00:52:24,133 --> 00:52:25,933 DELIVER OUR BABIES AND KEEP THEM 1489 00:52:25,933 --> 00:52:28,333 HEALTHY TO GET TO COLLEGE SO TOP 1490 00:52:28,333 --> 00:52:29,400 PRIORITY WAS OUR HOSPITALS. 1491 00:52:29,400 --> 00:52:32,467 >> TAYLOR, THAT'S A GREAT 1492 00:52:32,467 --> 00:52:32,933 QUESTION. 1493 00:52:32,933 --> 00:52:33,933 APPRECIATE IT. 1494 00:52:33,933 --> 00:52:36,733 THE GENTLEMAN NEXT TO YOU, 1495 00:52:36,733 --> 00:52:38,300 SCOTT, IS A REGULAR FOR 1496 00:52:38,300 --> 00:52:39,433 SUPPORTING SCHOOLS AND 1497 00:52:39,433 --> 00:52:41,600 WELL-KNOWN TO SOME OF THE FOLKS 1498 00:52:41,600 --> 00:52:42,433 HERE. 1499 00:52:42,433 --> 00:52:43,467 SCOTT, YOU HAD A QUESTION. 1500 00:52:43,467 --> 00:52:45,933 >> AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S 1501 00:52:45,933 --> 00:52:48,200 ABOUT DECIDING NEEDS VERSUS 1502 00:52:48,200 --> 00:52:50,033 WANTS AND PRIORITIZING 1503 00:52:50,033 --> 00:52:53,133 OBLIGATIONS AND CERTAINLY THE 1504 00:52:53,133 --> 00:52:57,200 BEST INVESTMENT THE LEGISLATURE 1505 00:52:57,200 --> 00:52:59,333 CAN MAKE IS K-12 EDUCATION 1506 00:52:59,333 --> 00:53:00,900 SHOULD BE A PRIORITY AND 1507 00:53:00,900 --> 00:53:02,567 UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T RECEIVE 1508 00:53:02,567 --> 00:53:05,100 THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING AS IT 1509 00:53:05,100 --> 00:53:06,733 HAS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. 1510 00:53:06,733 --> 00:53:10,600 BUT WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE 1511 00:53:10,600 --> 00:53:11,567 MECHANISMS IN PLACE WITH TASK 1512 00:53:11,567 --> 00:53:15,467 FORCE COMMUNITIES ON A NUMBER OF 1513 00:53:15,467 --> 00:53:17,300 VARIOUS TOPICS CAN BRING SOME 1514 00:53:17,300 --> 00:53:18,733 RATIONAL SOLUTIONS THAT WILL 1515 00:53:18,733 --> 00:53:23,067 BRING THE STAKEHOLDERS TO THE 1516 00:53:23,067 --> 00:53:25,400 TABLE AND THE RED AND BLUE AND 1517 00:53:25,400 --> 00:53:28,200 BASED ON THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS 1518 00:53:28,200 --> 00:53:31,167 OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAN 1519 00:53:31,167 --> 00:53:32,467 DISSIPATE AND MORE RATIONAL 1520 00:53:32,467 --> 00:53:34,100 THOUGHT CAN COME TO THE TABLE. 1521 00:53:34,100 --> 00:53:37,433 WE WOULD HOPE TO SEE THE PUBLIC 1522 00:53:37,433 --> 00:53:38,867 EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY, AS LONG 1523 00:53:38,867 --> 00:53:40,733 AS SEVERAL OF THE OTHER TOPICS 1524 00:53:40,733 --> 00:53:42,067 MENTIONED HERE TODAY. 1525 00:53:42,067 --> 00:53:44,700 THE MAIN QUESTION, K-12 1526 00:53:44,700 --> 00:53:46,467 EDUCATORS AND PARENT WANT TO 1527 00:53:46,467 --> 00:53:48,900 KNOW IS WHY WASN'T K-12 FULLY 1528 00:53:48,900 --> 00:53:50,700 FUNDED OR MAINTAINED AT THE SAME 1529 00:53:50,700 --> 00:53:51,533 LEVEL FROM LAST YEAR. 1530 00:53:51,533 --> 00:53:55,100 >> HOW ABOUT SENATOR LAFLEUR? 1531 00:53:55,100 --> 00:53:57,333 >> IMPORTANT PART OF THE BUDGET, 1532 00:53:57,333 --> 00:53:59,533 IT EATS UP MORE MONEY THAN ANY 1533 00:53:59,533 --> 00:54:01,000 OTHER ITEM. 1534 00:54:01,000 --> 00:54:04,100 IT IS $3.6 BILLION. 1535 00:54:04,100 --> 00:54:09,033 THE CUTS IMPOSED WAS A SMALL 1536 00:54:09,033 --> 00:54:09,400 AMOUNT. 1537 00:54:09,400 --> 00:54:12,233 IT WAS LESS THAN 1/10 OF 1%. 1538 00:54:12,233 --> 00:54:14,200 IT WAS NOT THE DOLLARS THAT WERE 1539 00:54:14,200 --> 00:54:17,233 CUT, IT WAS THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND 1540 00:54:17,233 --> 00:54:18,867 US NOT FULLY FUNDING IT. 1541 00:54:18,867 --> 00:54:22,233 WHEN YOU TELL ANY SCHOOL BOARD 1542 00:54:22,233 --> 00:54:25,800 THAT WE CUT $40 MILLION OUT OF 1543 00:54:25,800 --> 00:54:28,067 K-12 EDUCATION, THAT'S A BIG 1544 00:54:28,067 --> 00:54:28,433 NUMBER. 1545 00:54:28,433 --> 00:54:32,000 IN THE BIG PICTURE, IT'S A SMALL 1546 00:54:32,000 --> 00:54:33,167 NUMBER. 1547 00:54:33,167 --> 00:54:34,533 SYMBOLICALLY, IT'S A 1548 00:54:34,533 --> 00:54:36,067 REPRESENTATIVE THAT OUR 1549 00:54:36,067 --> 00:54:36,967 PRIORITIES ARE NOT VERY HIGH. 1550 00:54:36,967 --> 00:54:41,333 >> THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE 1551 00:54:41,333 --> 00:54:41,900 SEEN THAT HAPPEN. 1552 00:54:41,900 --> 00:54:43,700 >> REBECCA, YOU'RE GOING TO GET 1553 00:54:43,700 --> 00:54:44,267 THE LAST QUESTION. 1554 00:54:44,267 --> 00:54:46,167 >> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD 1555 00:54:46,167 --> 00:54:48,033 BE WONDERING, MOVING FORWARD 1556 00:54:48,033 --> 00:54:50,700 WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 1557 00:54:50,700 --> 00:54:52,100 STABILIZING THE BUDGET AND 1558 00:54:52,100 --> 00:54:55,800 REFORMS COMING NEXT YEAR, WHY 1559 00:54:55,800 --> 00:55:01,100 SHOULD PEOPLE BE OPTIMISTIC? 1560 00:55:01,100 --> 00:55:04,233 THERE'S BEEN A CLIFF EVERY YEAR 1561 00:55:04,233 --> 00:55:07,167 AND YOU HAD OPPORTUNITIES EVERY 1562 00:55:07,167 --> 00:55:07,467 YEAR. 1563 00:55:07,467 --> 00:55:09,333 >> WE [INDISCERNIBLE] AND THAT 1564 00:55:09,333 --> 00:55:13,167 BASICALLY SET US ON COURSE FOR 1565 00:55:13,167 --> 00:55:14,133 NON-RECURRING REVENUE WITH A 1566 00:55:14,133 --> 00:55:15,067 SMALL GROWTH EVERY YEAR. 1567 00:55:15,067 --> 00:55:19,400 THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS, THE 1568 00:55:19,400 --> 00:55:21,867 REVENUE INCREASED IN TOO LARGE A 1569 00:55:21,867 --> 00:55:26,500 NUMBER, I DON'T THINK IT WAS ALL 1570 00:55:26,500 --> 00:55:27,367 ATTRIBUTABLE TO 1571 00:55:27,367 --> 00:55:29,633 [INDISCERNIBLE] -- 1572 00:55:29,633 --> 00:55:35,567 >> AGAIN, OPTIMISM, I THINK, 1573 00:55:35,567 --> 00:55:36,300 REALISTICALLY, YES, THE 1574 00:55:36,300 --> 00:55:38,967 RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THE TASK 1575 00:55:38,967 --> 00:55:41,833 FORCE FOR STRUCTURAL REFORM WAS 1576 00:55:41,833 --> 00:55:44,533 OPTED BY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, 1577 00:55:44,533 --> 00:55:46,467 REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND 1578 00:55:46,467 --> 00:55:49,033 THEY ALL APPRECIATE THAT IT'S 1579 00:55:49,033 --> 00:55:50,633 GOING TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS 1580 00:55:50,633 --> 00:55:54,433 THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO MAKE. 1581 00:55:54,433 --> 00:55:56,000 NOW, WILL THEY -- WILL THEY BE 1582 00:55:56,000 --> 00:55:56,700 UP TO IT? 1583 00:55:56,700 --> 00:55:58,767 I THINK THEY'LL DOING THEIR VERY 1584 00:55:58,767 --> 00:56:02,000 BEST SO I'M OPTIMISTIC FROM THAT 1585 00:56:02,000 --> 00:56:03,233 PERSPECTI 1586 00:56:03,233 --> 00:56:03,667 PERSPECTIVE. 1587 00:56:03,667 --> 00:56:05,900 DO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE 1588 00:56:05,900 --> 00:56:06,767 EASY? 1589 00:56:06,767 --> 00:56:08,233 NO, I DO NOT. 1590 00:56:08,233 --> 00:56:13,233 >> WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR OUR 1591 00:56:13,233 --> 00:56:15,133 QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION. 1592 00:56:15,133 --> 00:56:17,000 WE'D LIKE TO THANK OUR PANELISTS 1593 00:56:17,000 --> 00:56:23,067 FOR YOUR INSIGHT ON THIS MONTH'S 1594 00:56:23,067 --> 00:56:23,400 TOPIC. 1595 00:56:23,400 --> 00:56:25,567 >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL 1596 00:56:25,567 --> 00:56:27,367 HAVE A FEW CLOSING COMMENTS. 1597 00:56:31,933 --> 00:56:34,067 >>> ROBERT, WE GET DOWN TO NO 1598 00:56:34,067 --> 00:56:36,333 ONE REALLY WANTS TAXES, 1599 00:56:36,333 --> 00:56:37,433 DIFFICULT CHOICES COMING UP IN 1600 00:56:37,433 --> 00:56:40,300 THE FUTURE AND I GUESS, IT WAS 1601 00:56:40,300 --> 00:56:42,367 INTERESTING THAT [INDISCERNIBLE] 1602 00:56:42,367 --> 00:56:46,433 WAS PASSED BY THE PEOPLE OF 1603 00:56:46,433 --> 00:56:48,333 LOUISIANA AND TURNED OVER SO 1604 00:56:48,333 --> 00:56:48,700 QUICKLY. 1605 00:56:48,700 --> 00:56:50,267 WE HAD ADDITIONAL REVENUE 1606 00:56:50,267 --> 00:56:51,667 FOLLOWING ALL THE HURRICANES. 1607 00:56:51,667 --> 00:56:53,867 WE DON'T KNOW WHAT DISASTERS ARE 1608 00:56:53,867 --> 00:56:54,933 GOING TO BEFALL. 1609 00:56:54,933 --> 00:56:56,800 >> IT HAD A LONG-TERM IMPACT. 1610 00:56:56,800 --> 00:56:57,433 BUT NOW LOOK. 1611 00:56:57,433 --> 00:56:59,333 AFTER EVERYTHING THE 1612 00:56:59,333 --> 00:57:00,800 LEGISLATURES HAVE BEEN THROUGH, 1613 00:57:00,800 --> 00:57:02,300 THEY'RE OPTIMISTIC. 1614 00:57:02,300 --> 00:57:03,600 THEY KNOW IT'S TOUGH BUT THEY 1615 00:57:03,600 --> 00:57:04,700 WERE ENCOURAGING. 1616 00:57:04,700 --> 00:57:05,900 AT LEAST WE HAVE THAT GOING. 1617 00:57:05,900 --> 00:57:07,967 >> WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO 1618 00:57:07,967 --> 00:57:08,867 DR. RICHARDSON AND YOUR TASK 1619 00:57:08,867 --> 00:57:13,000 FORCE THAT YOU'RE ON, AS WELL. 1620 00:57:13,000 --> 00:57:15,933 >> COME UP WITH ANSWERS. 1621 00:57:15,933 --> 00:57:17,767 >>> THAT ALL THE TIME WE HAVE 1622 00:57:17,767 --> 00:57:19,067 FOR "LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE." 1623 00:57:19,067 --> 00:57:20,767 WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR 1624 00:57:20,767 --> 00:57:22,100 WEBSITE AT LPB.ORG/PUBLICSQUARE. 1625 00:57:22,100 --> 00:57:23,200 WHILE YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE 1626 00:57:23,200 --> 00:57:26,100 COMMENT ON TONIGHT'S SHOW. 1627 00:57:26,100 --> 00:57:28,133 WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. 1628 00:57:28,133 --> 00:57:31,867 >>> ON NEXT MONTH'S "LOUISIANA 1629 00:57:31,867 --> 00:57:33,300 PUBLIC SQUARE," WE'LL TALK ABOUT 1630 00:57:33,300 --> 00:57:36,700 THE UNREST SPARKED BY THE DEATH 1631 00:57:36,700 --> 00:57:37,967 OF ALTON STERLING. 1632 00:57:37,967 --> 00:57:41,767 HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERACTS 1633 00:57:41,767 --> 00:57:43,267 WITH MINORITIES. 1634 00:57:43,267 --> 00:57:45,833 TUNE IN ON AUGUST 15. 1635 00:57:45,833 --> 00:58:16,700 >>> GOOD NIGHT, EVERYONE. 1636 00:58:16,700 --> 00:58:18,700 >>> FOR A COPY OF THIS PROGRAM, 1637 00:58:18,700 --> 00:58:29,967 CALL 1-800LIFE 973-7246 OR GO TO 1638 00:58:29,967 --> 00:58:30,433 WWW.LPB.ORG. 1639 00:58:30,433 --> 00:58:33,567 >>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS 1640 00:58:33,567 --> 00:58:36,800 PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR 1641 00:58:36,800 --> 00:58:40,000 EXCELLENCE AND THE LOUISIANA 1642 00:58:40,000 --> 00:58:41,667 PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND FROM 1643 00:58:41,667 --> 00:58:46,133 VIEWERS LIKE YOU.