WEBVTT 00:10.133 --> 00:12.700 >>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS 00:12.700 --> 00:15.000 PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR 00:15.000 --> 00:18.033 EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC 00:18.033 --> 00:21.233 BROADCASTING AND FROM VIEWERS 00:21.233 --> 00:43.700 LIKE YOU. 00:43.700 --> 00:46.500 >>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO 00:46.500 --> 00:47.333 "LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE," I'M 00:47.333 --> 00:49.433 BETH COURTNEY, PRESIDENT OF 00:49.433 --> 00:51.133 LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING. 00:51.133 --> 00:52.567 >> AND I'M ROBERT TRAVIS SCOTT, 00:52.567 --> 00:55.500 PRESIDENT OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS 00:55.500 --> 00:59.433 RESEARCH COUNCIL OF LOUISIANA. 00:59.433 --> 01:01.000 AFTER JOHN BEL EDWARDS IN 01:01.000 --> 01:03.267 AUGURATION, HE CALLED PEOPLE TO 01:03.267 --> 01:08.000 TAKE ACTION ON A $2 BILLION 01:08.000 --> 01:08.400 SHORTFALL. 01:08.400 --> 01:11.000 >> THEY GOT TO WORK AFTER 01:11.000 --> 01:13.100 VALENTINE'S DAY AND WORKED 01:13.100 --> 01:15.367 THROUGH A SPECIAL SESSION AND 01:15.367 --> 01:19.033 ANOTHER THREE-WEEK SPECIAL 01:19.033 --> 01:19.400 SESSION. 01:19.400 --> 01:21.867 >> THEY WERE CORRECTING HASTY 01:21.867 --> 01:23.133 LAWS THAT WERE PASSED. 01:23.133 --> 01:25.100 >> THEY WERE IN SESSION A VERY 01:25.100 --> 01:26.267 LONG TIME. 01:26.267 --> 01:28.433 HOW DID THE LENGTH OF TIME AT 01:28.433 --> 01:30.367 THE CAPITOL AFFECT THE LAWS 01:30.367 --> 01:31.033 BEING MADE? 01:31.033 --> 01:33.133 ARE THE STATE'S SPENDING 01:33.133 --> 01:34.333 PRIORITIES IN THE RIGHT PLACE? 01:34.333 --> 01:36.667 OVER THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL HEAR 01:36.667 --> 01:39.467 FROM FAMILIES WHO RELY ON STATE 01:39.467 --> 01:42.167 SERVICES FOR THEIR CHILDREN, 01:42.167 --> 01:44.100 LAWMAKERS WHO CALLED THE SHOTS 01:44.100 --> 01:48.100 AND BUSINESS OWNERS CONCERNED. 01:48.100 --> 01:52.200 WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS ON 01:52.200 --> 01:53.000 "REGULAR AND EXTRAORDINARY: 01:53.000 --> 01:53.567 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW." 01:53.567 --> 01:55.367 >>> OF ALL THE FUNDING DECISIONS 01:55.367 --> 01:56.467 LAWMAKERS MADE DURING THE THREE 01:56.467 --> 01:59.000 SESSIONS THIS YEAR, THE STATE'S 01:59.000 --> 02:00.400 COLLE 02:00.400 --> 02:04.400 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, 02:04.400 --> 02:08.300 "TOPS," WILL SEE THE BIGGEST 02:08.300 --> 02:08.600 CUT. 02:08.600 --> 02:10.267 >> WE DO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET 02:10.267 --> 02:12.467 BUT THE POINT IS, WE DO NOT HAVE 02:12.467 --> 02:15.267 ENOUGH MONEY TO FUNDS EVERYTHING 02:15.267 --> 02:17.967 THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN THE 02:17.967 --> 02:18.567 PREVIOUS YEAR. 02:18.567 --> 02:22.633 THERE WILL BE CUTS UPON VARIOUS 02:22.633 --> 02:24.967 STATE AGEAGENCIES. 02:24.967 --> 02:30.300 >> THEY WERE ALLOCATED 70% OF 02:30.300 --> 02:31.200 THEY NEED. 02:31.200 --> 02:33.933 THEY WOULD FULLY FUND IT IN THE 02:33.933 --> 02:35.167 FULL SEMESTER. 02:35.167 --> 02:37.033 COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR 02:37.033 --> 02:38.533 PARENTS MAY HAVE TO COME UP WITH 02:38.533 --> 02:43.633 THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TUITION. 02:43.633 --> 02:45.067 LAWMAKERS WERE WILLING TO TAKE 02:45.067 --> 02:46.967 THAT BET BECAUSE THEY THINK 02:46.967 --> 02:48.500 THERE'S POTENTIALLY MORE MONEY 02:48.500 --> 02:50.833 ON THE WAY. 02:50.833 --> 02:54.233 ZORA NEALE LEADS THE COMMITTEE. 02:54.233 --> 02:56.533 HE SAID AS MUCH AFTER VOTING TO 02:56.533 --> 02:57.400 PUT RESTRICTIONS. 02:57.400 --> 03:00.600 >> THERE ARE MANY, MANY 03:00.600 --> 03:03.733 OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST. 03:03.733 --> 03:05.067 THE [INDISCERNIBLE] SO WE'RE 03:05.067 --> 03:06.967 GOING TO GENERATE ALREADY FROM 03:06.967 --> 03:08.867 THE PRICE OF OIL. 03:08.867 --> 03:11.067 >> ABRAMSON SAID HE THOUGHT SOME 03:11.067 --> 03:15.867 OF THE ONES PASSED WOULD BRING 03:15.867 --> 03:16.967 IN MORE MONEY. 03:16.967 --> 03:19.633 >> FROM A LEGISLATURE'S 03:19.633 --> 03:24.233 STANDPOINT, OBVIOUSLY, TO REDUCE 03:24.233 --> 03:26.433 THE TAXES OR MONEY TO BE RAISED 03:26.433 --> 03:28.533 IN NEW TAXES, YOU WANT TO SAY, 03:28.533 --> 03:30.233 WE'RE GOING TO GET MONEY COMING 03:30.233 --> 03:30.933 LATER ON. 03:30.933 --> 03:33.667 WE HAVE TO BE CONSERVATIVE AND 03:33.667 --> 03:36.933 WE GAUGE THOSE x 03:36.933 --> 03:37.400 EXPECTATIONS. 03:37.400 --> 03:38.900 SO KED UP,pxx 03:38.900 --> 03:41.300 DID THE NUMBER OF VOTES 03:41.300 --> 03:43.133 LAWMAKERS WERE ASKED. 03:43.133 --> 03:47.000 THEY RAISED $1.5 BILLION. 03:47.000 --> 03:50.200 TO ETHINK IT'S 03:50.200 --> 03:53.933 .FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS@Q|| 03:53.933 --> 03:56.900 TOLD REPRESENTATIVE ROB 03:56.900 --> 03:58.867 SHADOIN, WHO WAS PROMOTING A 03:58.867 --> 04:03.567 REVENUE BILL AROUND WEEK 17, 04:03.567 --> 04:05.700 THAT LAWMAKERS NEED TO SEE THE 04:05.700 --> 04:06.400 DUST SETTLE. 04:06.400 --> 04:08.167 >> IT'S JUST REALLY HARD FOR ME 04:08.167 --> 04:11.833 TO GO BACK HOME BECAUSE I 04:11.833 --> 04:14.267 HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT 04:14.267 --> 04:16.267 SINCE WE GET STARTED. 04:16.267 --> 04:18.800 >> YOU MEAN, GO BACK HOME? 04:18.800 --> 04:19.200 [LAUGHTER] 04:19.200 --> 04:21.067 >> THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED ME, I 04:21.067 --> 04:21.967 FEEL THEIR PAIN RIGHT NOW. 04:21.967 --> 04:24.367 >> IT WAS ECHOED BY STEPHEN 04:24.367 --> 04:26.033 WAGUESPACK, PRESIDENT OF THE 04:26.033 --> 04:27.033 LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF 04:27.033 --> 04:28.467 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. 04:28.467 --> 04:30.500 HE SAYS OIL PRICES HAVE CAUSED A 04:30.500 --> 04:31.867 DOWNTURN IN THE ECONOMY. 04:31.867 --> 04:33.333 >> THERE ARE JOBS OUT THERE THAT 04:33.333 --> 04:34.033 ARE HURTING. 04:34.033 --> 04:36.467 WE ARE 16,000 JOBS DOWN. 04:36.467 --> 04:38.633 WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT. 04:38.633 --> 04:41.000 WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SIX 04:41.000 --> 04:41.333 MONTHS. 04:41.333 --> 04:42.933 >> IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO 04:42.933 --> 04:45.800 CONSIDER TAX POLICY CHANGES THAT 04:45.800 --> 04:48.700 SOME CONSIDER REFORM. 04:48.700 --> 04:51.867 JULIE STOKES EXPRESSED 04:51.867 --> 04:52.300 FRUSTRATION. 04:52.300 --> 04:54.067 >> WE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT 04:54.067 --> 04:55.500 THIS BUDGET PROBLEM LONG ENOUGH 04:55.500 --> 04:59.400 TO DO ANYTHING REALLY GOOD. 04:59.400 --> 05:04.233 >> SENATE PRESIDENT JOHN ALARIO. 05:04.233 --> 05:06.100 >> WE HAVE TO STABILIZE THE 05:06.100 --> 05:09.000 REVENUE SOURCES AND TRY TO BE 05:09.000 --> 05:09.300 FAIR. 05:09.300 --> 05:10.367 >> DARDENNE SAYS THE BUDGET 05:10.367 --> 05:12.600 FIRST NEEDED TO BE STABILIZED. 05:12.600 --> 05:15.200 NEXT SESSION, THE ADMINISTRATION 05:15.200 --> 05:18.800 IS GEARING UP TO MAKE STRUCTURAL 05:18.800 --> 05:19.167 CHANGES. 05:19.167 --> 05:20.433 >> THEY HAVE REVENUES UP AND 05:20.433 --> 05:22.600 DOWN AND CHANGES IN ITS TAX CODE 05:22.600 --> 05:25.000 THAT HAVEN'T BEEN STRUCTURAL 05:25.000 --> 05:25.767 CHANGES. 05:25.767 --> 05:27.733 THEY'VE BEEN CHANGES WE NEEDED 05:27.733 --> 05:28.900 TO MAKE. 05:28.900 --> 05:31.100 >> IN THE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION, 05:31.100 --> 05:35.067 ON TO CKED ANOTHER 05:35.067 --> 05:39.800 4% SALES TAX, MAKING MORE 05:39.800 --> 05:42.033 GOODS TAXABLE. 05:42.033 --> 05:44.233 THEY ACCIDENTALLY DOING OFF MORE 05:44.233 --> 05:46.367 EXEMPTIONS THAN THEY WANTED TO, 05:46.367 --> 05:49.233 THAT CAUSED MORE CONFUSION ON 05:49.233 --> 05:51.333 PRODUCE.SH IT WOULD 05:51.333 --> 05:54.167 IN THE 2018 SESSION, LAWMAKERS 05:54.167 --> 05:58.333 WILL BE LOOKING AT LEAST $1.1 05:58.333 --> 05:59.667 BILLION SHORTFALL IN FUNDING. 05:59.667 --> 06:01.500 >> IT CREATES THIS TERRIBLE 06:01.500 --> 06:03.467 CLIFF AND WE'RE IN THE SAME SOUP 06:03.467 --> 06:05.900 OF HAVING THE CRISIS OF NOT 06:05.900 --> 06:07.333 HAVING ADEQUATE AVENUE. 06:07.333 --> 06:09.667 THE PLAN AND HOPE IS NEXT YEAR, 06:09.667 --> 06:12.733 THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES WILL 06:12.733 --> 06:14.800 ADDRESS THE CLIFF PROBLEM AND 06:14.800 --> 06:20.933 UNDO SOME OF THE TEMPORARY 06:20.933 --> 06:21.267 FIXES. 06:21.267 --> 06:23.100 >> DARDENNE SAYS THEY ARE 06:23.100 --> 06:25.667 WALKING A FINE LINE BETWEEN 06:25.667 --> 06:27.733 BEING SENSITIVE TO THE ECONOMY. 06:27.733 --> 06:32.000 >> IT IS A BALANCING ACT. 06:32.000 --> 06:33.300 WHAT'S THE RIGHT MIX OF BEING 06:33.300 --> 06:39.900 FAIR TO EVERYONE AND NOT BEING 06:39.900 --> 06:41.300 LIKE THAT. 06:41.300 --> 06:45.233 TO HAVE A BALANCE, BROAD-BASED 06:45.233 --> 06:47.833 TAX STUCKTURE, YOU HAVE TO HIT 06:47.833 --> 06:49.667 THE VARIOUS ENTITIES. 06:49.667 --> 06:52.733 >> ALL EYES ON THE STUDY 06:52.733 --> 06:53.900 COMMISSION LEAD BY DR. JIM 06:53.900 --> 06:54.333 RICHARDSON. 06:54.333 --> 06:56.933 THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RELEASE 06:56.933 --> 06:59.167 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TAX CODE 06:59.167 --> 07:00.067 THIS FALL. 07:00.067 --> 07:03.267 >> JOINING US TO EXPLORE THE 07:03.267 --> 07:04.033 "REGULAR AND EXTRAORDINARY: 07:04.033 --> 07:04.767 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW" IS OUR 07:04.767 --> 07:07.333 STUDIO AUDIENCE, IT INCLUDES 07:07.333 --> 07:10.433 COLLEGE STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND 07:10.433 --> 07:10.833 ACTIVISTS. 07:10.833 --> 07:14.433 WE HAVE THE ADVISORY COUNCIL 07:14.433 --> 07:16.633 FROM NEW ORLEANS AND RAYNE. 07:16.633 --> 07:18.300 IT'S BEEN NOTED HOW DIFFICULT IT 07:18.300 --> 07:19.767 WAS TO KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE 07:19.767 --> 07:21.600 NUMBERS SURROUNDING THE SESSION. 07:21.600 --> 07:23.100 SO LET'S START THERE. 07:23.100 --> 07:26.000 HERE'S THE BEST APPLES TO APPLES 07:26.000 --> 07:28.067 COMPARISON WE CAN MAKE BASED ON 07:28.067 --> 07:29.467 THE FIGURES. 07:29.467 --> 07:31.067 FOR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR, THE 07:31.067 --> 07:32.600 STATE'S COLLEGES AND 07:32.600 --> 07:34.100 UNIVERSITIES WILL SEE A 2% 07:34.100 --> 07:35.700 INCREASE IN THEIR FUNDING OVER 07:35.700 --> 07:40.733 LAST YEAR BY ABOUT $40 MILLION. 07:40.733 --> 07:43.833 K THROUGH 12 WILL SEE A DROP OF 07:43.833 --> 07:44.633 $16 MILLION. 07:44.633 --> 07:46.033 THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF 07:46.033 --> 07:49.033 HEALTH WILL SEE AN INCREASE OF 07:49.033 --> 07:51.467 8%, $280 MILLION. 07:51.467 --> 07:52.767 LAWMAKERS HAVE LEFT THE 07:52.767 --> 07:54.833 DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS 1% 07:54.833 --> 07:56.800 SHORT, $6 MILLION. 07:56.800 --> 07:58.933 THOSE NUMBERS DON'T PAINT THE 07:58.933 --> 08:00.167 ENTIRE PICTURE. 08:00.167 --> 08:01.967 WHAT ELSE DO YOU THINK SHOULD 08:01.967 --> 08:03.000 HAVE BEEN FUNDING? 08:03.000 --> 08:06.000 WHAT TAX INCREASES ARE YOU 08:06.000 --> 08:08.533 EXPECTING OR IS THIS A SPENDING 08:08.533 --> 08:10.533 PROBLEM? 08:10.533 --> 08:14.700 SO, TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU 08:14.700 --> 08:15.033 THINK? 08:15.033 --> 08:16.533 YOU WERE MONITORING THIS AS PART 08:16.533 --> 08:19.233 OF THE LOUISIANA BUDGET PROJECT, 08:19.233 --> 08:20.767 IS THAT RIGHT? 08:20.767 --> 08:22.533 >> I THINK FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, 08:22.533 --> 08:26.167 OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE 08:26.167 --> 08:27.667 SOLUTIONS THAT WERE DEVELOPED 08:27.667 --> 08:29.700 WILL CREATE A PROBLEM IN THE 08:29.700 --> 08:32.833 NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AND THAT 08:32.833 --> 08:34.333 ALSO, WHILE THERE WEREN'T A LOT 08:34.333 --> 08:36.400 OF OPTIONS FOR HOW TO FILL 08:36.400 --> 08:38.833 BUDGET HOLES QUICKLY, THOSE THAT 08:38.833 --> 08:41.067 WERE CHOSEN ARE OPTIONS THAT 08:41.067 --> 08:42.833 AFFECT YOUR LOWEST INCOME FOLKS 08:42.833 --> 08:45.700 IN THE STATE MORE THAN ANYONE 08:45.700 --> 08:46.133 ELSE. 08:46.133 --> 08:47.133 AND WHEN THERE WERE 08:47.133 --> 08:50.867 OPPORTUNITIES TO PUT INTO PLACE 08:50.867 --> 08:53.533 POLICIES THAT WOULD ACTUALLY 08:53.533 --> 08:56.700 DISTRIBUTE THAT BURDEN WHERE 08:56.700 --> 08:59.000 PROGRESSIVELY, LEGISLATURES WERE 08:59.000 --> 09:00.033 UNWILLING TO PURSUE THEM. 09:00.033 --> 09:02.233 >> SO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE 09:02.233 --> 09:03.900 RAISED REVENUE IN DIFFERENT WAYS 09:03.900 --> 09:05.367 AND NOT WITH THE SALES TAX? 09:05.367 --> 09:08.133 DO YOU THINK THAT WAS A BAD 09:08.133 --> 09:08.467 IDEA? 09:08.467 --> 09:10.100 >> DEFINITELY WITH THE SALES 09:10.100 --> 09:10.467 TAX. 09:10.467 --> 09:12.000 >> IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS A LOT OF 09:12.000 --> 09:14.233 QUICK MONEY COMING UP THERE. 09:14.233 --> 09:18.500 JAY, YOU ARE A BUSINESSMAN AND 09:18.500 --> 09:19.167 REPRESENTING LOUISIANA 09:19.167 --> 09:20.333 ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND 09:20.333 --> 09:20.733 INDUSTRY. 09:20.733 --> 09:21.867 HOW DID YOU SEE THIS SESSION 09:21.867 --> 09:24.933 GOING AND DO YOU AGREE WITH 09:24.933 --> 09:25.267 JANAY? 09:25.267 --> 09:27.300 >> TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. 09:27.300 --> 09:30.200 THE LEGISLATURES WERE PUT IN A 09:30.200 --> 09:31.700 VERY DIFFICULT POSITION IN A 09:31.700 --> 09:33.467 VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND I 09:33.467 --> 09:35.467 THINK THEIR GOAL WAS TO CREATE A 09:35.467 --> 09:36.900 BRIDGE TO GET TO [INDISCERNIBLE] 09:36.900 --> 09:39.967 FARM AND WHAT THEY DID, EVEN 09:39.967 --> 09:41.867 THOUGH VERY DISTASTEFUL AND 09:41.867 --> 09:43.300 UNPLEASANT AND COSTLY TO 09:43.300 --> 09:44.767 BUSINESS AT A TIME AND 09:44.767 --> 09:46.467 BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING, IT 09:46.467 --> 09:48.600 WAS SOMETHING THAT HAD TO BE 09:48.600 --> 09:50.167 DONE IN A SHORT-TERM BASIS WITH 09:50.167 --> 09:52.933 THE REALITY THAT WE MUST DO 09:52.933 --> 09:53.267 REFORM. 09:53.267 --> 09:54.467 AND REFORM'S GOT TO TAKE PLACE 09:54.467 --> 09:57.300 IN A REGULAR SESSION NEXT YEAR, 09:57.300 --> 09:58.167 WHICH IS A FISCAL YEAR. 09:58.167 --> 09:59.133 >> OKAY. 09:59.133 --> 10:03.033 WELL, YOU KNOW -- YES, GO AHEAD, 10:03.033 --> 10:03.367 EDGAR? 10:03.367 --> 10:05.533 >> TO SAY THAT THE LEGISLATURE'S 10:05.533 --> 10:09.067 PUT IN A POSITION FOR A SHORT 10:09.067 --> 10:11.900 PERIOD IS MAYBE AN ACCURATE 10:11.900 --> 10:13.500 STATEMENT BUT THIS DID NOT 10:13.500 --> 10:14.633 HAPPEN IN A FIRST SPECIAL 10:14.633 --> 10:15.000 SESSION. 10:15.000 --> 10:17.400 IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN 10:17.400 --> 10:19.533 PREVIOUS SESSIONS BEFORE. 10:19.533 --> 10:21.267 >> IT HAS TAKING US YEARS TO GET 10:21.267 --> 10:22.967 IN THIS BAD OF SHAPE, IS WHAT 10:22.967 --> 10:23.633 YOU'RE SAYING? 10:23.633 --> 10:24.433 >> ABSOLUTELY. 10:24.433 --> 10:26.500 I AGREE THAT THE SALES TAX 10:26.500 --> 10:29.600 INCREASE, THE MOST PROGRESSIVE 10:29.600 --> 10:31.167 FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOW INCOME 10:31.167 --> 10:32.900 AND LITTLE MEANS. 10:32.900 --> 10:35.833 OUR COMMUNITY, TOGETHER WITH 10:35.833 --> 10:37.967 LOUISIANA, WE UNDERSTOOD -- WE 10:37.967 --> 10:38.633 DIDN'T LIKE IT. 10:38.633 --> 10:41.533 BUT THIS IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF 10:41.533 --> 10:43.400 REVENUE YOU CAN GET QUICKLY. 10:43.400 --> 10:45.867 WE NEEDED IT FOR THE LAST FISCAL 10:45.867 --> 10:47.533 YEAR SO WE DIDN'T LIKE IT, BUT 10:47.533 --> 10:51.533 WE DIDN'T OPPOSE IT BECAUSE THE 10:51.533 --> 10:52.467 ADMINISTRATION HAD NOTHING -- 10:52.467 --> 10:54.633 >> QUICK REVENUE IS WHAT YOU'RE 10:54.633 --> 10:55.700 SAYING. 10:55.700 --> 10:56.033 NATHAN? 10:56.033 --> 10:58.733 >> I HAVE TO AGREE WITH EDGAR'S 10:58.733 --> 10:59.700 STATEMENT. 10:59.700 --> 11:01.300 ANYBODY WHO THINKS THIS WOULD BE 11:01.300 --> 11:03.500 A LONG-TERM FIX IS MAYBE FOOLING 11:03.500 --> 11:05.300 THEMSELVES AND IT'S JUST A 11:05.300 --> 11:07.967 BRIDGE TO GET TO THE TAX REFORM 11:07.967 --> 11:10.933 OF THE NEXT SESSION. 11:10.933 --> 11:12.633 IMPORTANTLY TO NOTE IS OVER 11:12.633 --> 11:14.467 EIGHT YEARS OF CUTS OR THINGS 11:14.467 --> 11:16.967 LIKE THAT, WE CAN'T LET THE NEW 11:16.967 --> 11:18.433 NORMAL DEFINE OUR EXPECTATIONS 11:18.433 --> 11:20.067 SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING 11:20.067 --> 11:22.833 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR, FUNDING 11:22.833 --> 11:26.000 FROM FOUR YEARS PRIOR, WE NEED 11:26.000 --> 11:27.633 TO KEEP IN CHECK WHETHER THAT 11:27.633 --> 11:30.600 WAS ACCEPTABLE TO BEGIN WITH. 11:30.600 --> 11:37.233 >> YOU'RE FRESHLY GRADUATED 11:37.233 --> 11:37.633 ECONOMIST. 11:37.633 --> 11:38.133 >> YES. 11:38.133 --> 11:39.733 >> WE HAVE STUDENTS HERE. 11:39.733 --> 11:41.633 I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM STUDENTS 11:41.633 --> 11:44.200 ON WHAT THEIR VIEW IS -- 11:44.200 --> 11:47.267 PERSPECTIVE COLLEGE STUDENTS, 11:47.267 --> 11:49.467 WHAT YOUR VIEW IS ON "TOPS." 11:49.467 --> 11:51.600 ARE ANY OF YOU AFFECTED BY THIS 11:51.600 --> 11:54.733 OR DO YOU HAVE A VIEW ABOUT 11:54.733 --> 11:57.767 WHETHER THAT WAS A GOOD IDEA OR 11:57.767 --> 11:58.300 NOT? 11:58.300 --> 11:59.100 LAYA, TAYLOR? 11:59.100 --> 12:00.767 >> I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T 12:00.767 --> 12:02.000 NECESSARILY LIKE IT BUT WE DON'T 12:02.000 --> 12:03.733 HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE EITHER 12:03.733 --> 12:05.433 BECAUSE THE CUTS CAN ONLY COME 12:05.433 --> 12:09.767 FROM SO MANY PLACES. 12:09.767 --> 12:11.400 >> AND IN OTHER WORDS, YOU 12:11.400 --> 12:14.400 THOUGHT IT WAS A NATURAL 12:14.400 --> 12:14.767 PLACE -- 12:14.767 --> 12:17.200 >> IT SHOULD BE BETTER. 12:17.200 --> 12:19.733 WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CUT FROM 12:19.733 --> 12:22.033 "TOPS"S AND HOSPITALS BUT THEY 12:22.033 --> 12:23.400 HAD TO DO IT QUICK. 12:23.400 --> 12:25.367 >> JUSTIN HERE IS BOTH A 12:25.367 --> 12:27.000 STUDENT, COLLEGE STUDENT, AND HE 12:27.000 --> 12:29.033 WAS A JOURNALIST WORKING THROUGH 12:29.033 --> 12:31.333 THE MANSHIP SCHOOL, COVERING THE 12:31.333 --> 12:31.667 SESSION. 12:31.667 --> 12:34.133 SO, ARE YOU AFFECTED? 12:34.133 --> 12:37.400 >> I JUST GRADUATED. 12:37.400 --> 12:39.633 >> YOU GOT OUT JUST IN TIME. 12:39.633 --> 12:40.067 [LAUGHTER] 12:40.067 --> 12:42.400 >> I WROTE A COLUMN ABOUT MY 12:42.400 --> 12:44.067 EXPERIENCE AT THE CAPITOL. 12:44.067 --> 12:47.867 AYEAR AGO, I SAID WE SHOULD FUND 12:47.867 --> 12:48.200 "TOPS." 12:48.200 --> 12:50.500 IF MORE HOSPITALS ARE ON THE 12:50.500 --> 12:52.800 CHOPPING BLOCK, I WOULD ARGUE 12:52.800 --> 12:54.133 THAT "TOPS" SHOULD BE CUT 12:54.133 --> 12:55.100 INSTEAD OF HOSPITALS. 12:55.100 --> 12:58.400 ON TOP OF THAT, IF THE 2017 12:58.400 --> 13:00.500 REGULAR SESSION DOES NOT PROVIDE 13:00.500 --> 13:02.500 TAX CODE CHANGES AND STRUCTURAL 13:02.500 --> 13:04.800 CHANGES ELSEWHERE WITHIN THE 13:04.800 --> 13:05.967 CONSTITUTION, THEN "TOPS" AND 13:05.967 --> 13:09.133 HIGHER EDUCATION WILL CONTINUEUE 13:09.133 --> 13:11.100 TO BE PROBLEMS FOR OUR 13:11.100 --> 13:11.833 LEGISLATURE TO FACE. 13:11.833 --> 13:14.367 THE PROGRAM, AS IT STANDS TODAY, 13:14.367 --> 13:16.133 REQUIRES ADDITIONAL REFORMS FOR 13:16.133 --> 13:17.167 THAT TO HAPPEN. 13:17.167 --> 13:19.333 >> ABOUT THAT, REBECCA, YOU ARE 13:19.333 --> 13:23.367 A JOURNALIST COVERING -- YOU 13:23.367 --> 13:24.733 COVERED THIS SESSION FOR THE 13:24.733 --> 13:25.100 ADVOCATE. 13:25.100 --> 13:27.033 DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS 13:27.033 --> 13:27.433 ASSESSMENT? 13:27.433 --> 13:29.467 >> I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTICE 13:29.467 --> 13:31.600 THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT 13:31.600 --> 13:33.500 "TOPS" HAS BEEN CUT AND WE'VE 13:33.500 --> 13:36.567 BEEN CUTTING THE STATE BUDGET 13:36.567 --> 13:40.700 AGGRESSIVELY FOR EIGHT OR NINE 13:40.700 --> 13:41.033 YEARS. 13:41.033 --> 13:44.600 IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN A PRIORITY. 13:44.600 --> 13:46.533 IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE THAT 13:46.533 --> 13:46.833 CUT. 13:46.833 --> 13:49.667 IT SHOWS HOW SEVERE THINGS HAVE 13:49.667 --> 13:50.000 GOTTEN. 13:50.000 --> 13:51.967 >> WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SCOTT 13:51.967 --> 13:53.100 WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD 13:53.100 --> 13:53.567 ASSOCIATION. 13:53.567 --> 13:55.033 SCOTT, I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT TO 13:55.033 --> 13:56.967 SAY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS 13:56.967 --> 13:57.333 SESSION. 13:57.333 --> 13:58.467 ARE YOU BETTER OFF? 13:58.467 --> 13:59.500 ARE YOU WORSE OFF? 13:59.500 --> 14:01.333 >> IT'S A SAD DAY IN LOUISIANA 14:01.333 --> 14:04.067 WHEN K-12 PUBLIC EDUCATION IS 14:04.067 --> 14:06.300 NOT PRIORITIZED AND NOT KEPT AT 14:06.300 --> 14:07.767 LEAST THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING 14:07.767 --> 14:09.367 FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. 14:09.367 --> 14:11.400 ONE OF THE BIGGEST TAKE AWAYS 14:11.400 --> 14:13.467 FROM THIS SESSION FOR ANYBODY 14:13.467 --> 14:16.867 THAT'S A STAKEHOLDER IS THE FACT 14:16.867 --> 14:20.067 THAT BASIC SERVICES AND STATE 14:20.067 --> 14:24.200 GOVERNMENT WERE PITTED AGAINST 14:24.200 --> 14:25.567 EACH OTHER. 14:25.567 --> 14:28.933 HIGHER ED, HOSPITALS, CHILDREN 14:28.933 --> 14:32.267 WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES, K-12 14:32.267 --> 14:33.233 PUBLIC EDUCATION. 14:33.233 --> 14:34.767 PRISON SERVICES. 14:34.767 --> 14:36.967 BASIC SERVICES THAT STATES 14:36.967 --> 14:38.533 PROVIDE WERE PITTED -- ACTUALLY 14:38.533 --> 14:40.067 FIGHTING AGAINST EACH OTHER AT 14:40.067 --> 14:43.767 THE END OF THE DAY, TO TRY TO 14:43.767 --> 14:45.100 CHAMPION THEIR CAUSE TO MAINTAIN 14:45.100 --> 14:47.600 THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING. 14:47.600 --> 14:50.233 >> IT OFTEN ENDS UP THAT WAY, 14:50.233 --> 14:53.933 THEY PIT ONE CONSTITUENTS 14:53.933 --> 14:55.533 AGAINST ANOTHER. 14:55.533 --> 14:57.400 LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE. 14:57.400 --> 14:59.500 WE HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS. 14:59.500 --> 15:03.267 YOU HAVE A SPECIAL INTEREST IN 15:03.267 --> 15:03.700 HEALTHCARE. 15:03.700 --> 15:04.633 KELLY OR KAREN? 15:04.633 --> 15:09.133 >> I HAVE A SON WHO HAS TWO 15:09.133 --> 15:12.500 DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, DOWN 15:12.500 --> 15:18.567 SYNDROME AND AUTISM AND A HEART 15:18.567 --> 15:20.033 DEFECT. 15:20.033 --> 15:21.567 YOU MAY HAVE SEEN US AT THE 15:21.567 --> 15:24.767 CAPITOL, ADVOCATING FOR 15:24.767 --> 15:25.767 SERVICES, MEDICAID WAIVER 15:25.767 --> 15:27.167 SERVICES FOR OUR KID. 15:27.167 --> 15:29.300 >> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T GO WHAT 15:29.300 --> 15:30.867 THAT MEANS. 15:30.867 --> 15:32.600 >> MEDICAID WAIVER IS A WAIVER 15:32.600 --> 15:35.133 OF REGULAR MEDICAID RULES TO 15:35.133 --> 15:37.033 PROVIDE HELP AND SUPPORT TO 15:37.033 --> 15:38.433 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OR 15:38.433 --> 15:39.500 SPECIAL NEEDS. 15:39.500 --> 15:40.967 >> HOW DO THINKS COME OUT FROM 15:40.967 --> 15:42.400 YOUR POINT OF VIEW? 15:42.400 --> 15:45.133 >> WELL, IT WAS VERY SCARY. 15:45.133 --> 15:48.500 IT WAS A VERY, VERY SCARY 15:48.500 --> 15:50.033 SESSION FOR US. 15:50.033 --> 15:52.133 PERSONALLY AND FOR THE FAMILIES 15:52.133 --> 15:54.867 THAT I WORK WITH. 15:54.867 --> 15:55.500 ULTIMATELY -- 15:55.500 --> 15:57.133 >> SCARY BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT THE 15:57.133 --> 16:00.267 FUNDING WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN 16:00.267 --> 16:00.600 AWAY? 16:00.600 --> 16:02.667 >> WE WERE PUT IN A POSITION 16:02.667 --> 16:06.167 WHERE WE HAD TO GO AD VTH NOT 16:06.167 --> 16:08.100 ONCE, BUT TWICE TO GET OUR 16:08.100 --> 16:09.867 SERVICES PUT BACK IN THE BUDGET. 16:09.867 --> 16:11.333 FIRST DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION 16:11.333 --> 16:13.200 TO HAVE THE FUNDED FOUND AND 16:13.200 --> 16:15.767 PLACED BACK IN THE BUDGET AND 16:15.767 --> 16:17.800 THEN IT WAS IN HOUSE BILL 1 AND 16:17.800 --> 16:18.233 TAKEN OUT. 16:18.233 --> 16:22.100 >> IN THE END, HOW DID IT TURN 16:22.100 --> 16:22.400 OUT? 16:22.400 --> 16:24.433 >> THE WAIVER SERVICES WERE 16:24.433 --> 16:26.800 COVERED BUT MANY OTHER SERVICES 16:26.800 --> 16:29.100 FOR DISABILITY SERVICES WEREN'T. 16:29.100 --> 16:32.333 >> KAREN, THE LESSON FOR YOU 16:32.333 --> 16:34.333 GOING FORWARD, WHAT WOULD YOU 16:34.333 --> 16:36.200 LIKE TO SEE DIFFERENTLY IN THE 16:36.200 --> 16:36.767 FUTURE? 16:36.767 --> 16:38.700 THERE ARE ALL THESE PRIORITIES. 16:38.700 --> 16:40.567 >> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE 16:40.567 --> 16:42.333 HAPPEN IS HAVE REFORM SO WE 16:42.333 --> 16:43.967 AREN'T PITTING SERVICES AGAINST 16:43.967 --> 16:44.733 EACH OTHER. 16:44.733 --> 16:48.167 THAT WOULD BE THE IDEA IN THE 16:48.167 --> 16:48.867 SAME RESPONSE. 16:48.867 --> 16:51.667 WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT -- I 16:51.667 --> 16:52.833 APPRECIATE WHAT SOME OF THE 16:52.833 --> 16:54.800 OTHER PANELISTS SAID. 16:54.800 --> 16:56.567 THEY UNDERSTOOD ABOUT "TOPS" AND 16:56.567 --> 16:59.067 THE SITUATION WE WERE IN, OUR 16:59.067 --> 17:00.733 CHILDREN, MANY OF OUR 17:00.733 --> 17:03.267 CHILDREN -- NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT 17:03.267 --> 17:04.667 SOME OF THEM -- COULD DIE 17:04.667 --> 17:06.567 WITHOUT THE SERVICES THEY HAVE 17:06.567 --> 17:09.000 AND THERE WERE MANY PARENTS PUT 17:09.000 --> 17:11.433 IN THAT SITUATION. 17:11.433 --> 17:14.133 >> DIANE, YOU WANTED TO JUMP IN? 17:14.133 --> 17:17.033 >> I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS 17:17.033 --> 17:18.667 THAT SPENDING IS NOT THE 17:18.667 --> 17:19.033 PROBLEM. 17:19.033 --> 17:21.000 THAT WE HAVE THINGS THAT ARE 17:21.000 --> 17:22.467 NECESSARY AND PRIORITIES SO FOR 17:22.467 --> 17:26.167 ME, PERSONALLY, I HAVE A SON 17:26.167 --> 17:28.000 THAT'S GOT "TOPS." 17:28.000 --> 17:28.900 WE'LL BE LOSING THAT. 17:28.900 --> 17:31.133 I HAVE A FAMILY WHO HAS A 17:31.133 --> 17:32.767 PERSONAL CARE ATTENDANT AROUND 17:32.767 --> 17:36.200 THE CLOCK, THAT'S GOING TO BE 17:36.200 --> 17:37.367 LOOKED AT BEING CUT. 17:37.367 --> 17:40.067 MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR THE STATE 17:40.067 --> 17:42.700 DEPARTMENT AND HE NOW WORKS FIVE 17:42.700 --> 17:44.333 JOBS FOR FIVE PEOPLE THAT HAVE 17:44.333 --> 17:45.267 BEEN LAID OFF. 17:45.267 --> 17:47.033 >> HE'S TAKING THE 17:47.033 --> 17:48.100 RESPONSIBILITY OF FIVE PEOPLE? 17:48.100 --> 17:52.433 >> BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN -- ON 17:52.433 --> 17:54.667 TOP OF ALL THAT, I WAS ASKED, 17:54.667 --> 17:56.633 WELL, WOULD YOU ADD A PENNY TO 17:56.633 --> 17:59.100 SALES TAX AT THE SAME TIME AS MY 17:59.100 --> 18:02.033 AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT SO I 18:02.033 --> 18:03.800 SPENT THAT PENNY RIGHT AWAY. 18:03.800 --> 18:05.433 SO, WHAT'S FRUSTRATING TO ME IS 18:05.433 --> 18:08.467 WE ALL TALK ABOUT HOW, OKAY, 18:08.467 --> 18:09.933 I'LL GIVE UP "TOPS." 18:09.933 --> 18:13.133 I'LL GIVE UP THE FUNDING FOR MY 18:13.133 --> 18:15.800 FAMILY MEMBER THAT NEEDS THAT 18:15.800 --> 18:18.500 ROUND THE CLOCK CARE AND I'LL 18:18.500 --> 18:19.700 PAY THAT PENNY. 18:19.700 --> 18:22.467 IT'S IMPACTING ME IN A VERY 18:22.467 --> 18:23.567 POWERFUL WAY AND I'M STRETCHED 18:23.567 --> 18:24.833 TO THE LIMIT NOW. 18:24.833 --> 18:27.700 BUT, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT, SO, 18:27.700 --> 18:28.933 HOW DO WE GET REVENUE? 18:28.933 --> 18:31.400 WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE GET 18:31.400 --> 18:32.567 REVENUE BECAUSE THESE PRARTS ARE 18:32.567 --> 18:35.967 TOO IMPORTANT TO BE -- 18:35.967 --> 18:38.167 >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR 18:38.167 --> 18:38.667 SITUATION. 18:38.667 --> 18:40.567 THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE THIS 18:40.567 --> 18:41.467 PORTION OF OUR SHOW. 18:41.467 --> 18:44.100 WHEN WE RETURN, WE'LL BE JOINED 18:44.100 --> 18:49.100 BY OUR PANEL TO EXPLORE "REGULAR 18:49.100 --> 18:49.967 AND EXTRAORDINARY: LEGISLATIVE 18:49.967 --> 18:52.700 REVIEW" 18:58.167 --> 18:59.633 >>> WELCOME BACK TO "LOUISIANA 18:59.633 --> 19:00.100 PUBLIC SQUARE." 19:00.100 --> 19:02.433 TONIGHT, WE'RE REVIEWING THE 19:02.433 --> 19:06.667 LEGISLATURE'S RECENTLY-CONCLUDED 19:06.667 --> 19:07.400 "REGULAR AND EXTRAORDINARY: 19:07.400 --> 19:08.200 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW." 19:08.200 --> 19:11.133 JOINING US NOW IS SENATOR ERIC 19:11.133 --> 19:12.567 LAFLEUR, WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE 19:12.567 --> 19:15.000 FINANCE COMMITTEE. 19:15.000 --> 19:25.333 HE'S A DEMOCRAT FROM LAPLACE. 19:25.333 --> 19:28.733 MELINDA DESLATTE, SHE GRADUATED 19:28.733 --> 19:30.933 FROM LSU. 19:30.933 --> 19:31.967 DR. JIM RICHARDSON. 19:31.967 --> 19:34.000 HE MAY KNOW THAN ANYONE ELSE 19:34.000 --> 19:36.867 ABOUT THE DEFISHANYS IN THE 19:36.867 --> 19:38.467 STATE'S REVENUE STRUCTURE. 19:38.467 --> 19:41.200 HE SERVED ON THE COMMITTEE THAT 19:41.200 --> 19:43.467 ESTIMATES HOW MUCH THE STATE CAN 19:43.467 --> 19:46.733 SPEND EACH YEAR. 19:46.733 --> 19:48.333 MALINDA WHITE, A DEMOCRAT FROM 19:48.333 --> 19:49.033 BOGALUSA. 19:49.033 --> 19:51.933 SHE'S NEW TO THE CAPITOL. 19:51.933 --> 19:54.567 WELL, WE'VE REACHED OUT TO 19:54.567 --> 19:55.600 SEVERAL PROMINENT REPUBLICAN 19:55.600 --> 19:57.367 LAWMAKERS AND ALL OF THEM HAD 19:57.367 --> 19:59.200 PRIOR COMMITMENTS. 19:59.200 --> 20:01.033 BEFORE WE GO TO OUR AUDIENCE, 20:01.033 --> 20:02.800 I'D LIKE TO ASK ALL OF YOU TO 20:02.800 --> 20:03.433 ADDRESS A QUESTION. 20:03.433 --> 20:05.700 YOU KNOW, WE ENTERED THIS FIRST 20:05.700 --> 20:07.967 SPECIAL SESSION IN A SERIOUS 20:07.967 --> 20:08.600 FISCAL CRISIS. 20:08.600 --> 20:09.433 NOW WE'RE DONE. 20:09.433 --> 20:11.633 ARE WE OUT OF THE CRISIS? 20:11.633 --> 20:14.067 AND, WHAT WERE THE BIG SUCCESSES 20:14.067 --> 20:16.333 OR FAILURE GOING THROUGH THESE 20:16.333 --> 20:17.433 LAST FEW MONTHS? 20:17.433 --> 20:20.567 WE'RE GOING TO START WITH YOU, 20:20.567 --> 20:21.300 SENATOR LAFLEUR. 20:21.300 --> 20:23.367 >> OUR FAILURE WAS THE INABILITY 20:23.367 --> 20:26.800 TO FULLY FUND "TOPS" OR THE 20:26.800 --> 20:28.433 UNWILLINGNESS OF THE LEGISLATURE 20:28.433 --> 20:30.000 TO FULLY FUND "TOPS," WHICH I 20:30.000 --> 20:31.867 THINK IS A VERY IMPORTANT 20:31.867 --> 20:32.300 PROGRAM. 20:32.300 --> 20:33.933 THE GOVERNOR MADE THE 20:33.933 --> 20:37.000 APPROPRIATE PROPOSALS BUT THE 20:37.000 --> 20:38.400 LEGISLATURE CHOSE NOT TO FUND 20:38.400 --> 20:38.800 IT. 20:38.800 --> 20:40.400 THEN THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF 20:40.400 --> 20:41.933 OTHERS IN THE COURSE OF 20:41.933 --> 20:44.167 GOVERNMENT THAT WILL LOSE A FEW 20:44.167 --> 20:44.533 DOLLARS. 20:44.533 --> 20:47.600 THE HH, DEPARTMENT OF 20:47.600 --> 20:48.067 CORRECTIONS. 20:48.067 --> 20:50.033 >> YOU'RE ON THE SENATE SIDE, DO 20:50.033 --> 20:52.033 YOU THINK THE SENATE WOULD HAVE 20:52.033 --> 20:53.233 FULLY FUNDED "TOPS." 20:53.233 --> 20:58.833 >> YES, I FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT 20:58.833 --> 20:59.100 THAT. 20:59.100 --> 21:04.500 >> I WANT TO STIR UP 21:04.500 --> 21:04.933 CONTROVERSY. 21:04.933 --> 21:05.333 [LAUGHTER] 21:05.333 --> 21:06.267 >> THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, 21:06.267 --> 21:08.067 I'LL LEAVE TO OTHER FOLKS TO 21:08.067 --> 21:08.433 DISCUSS. 21:08.433 --> 21:11.100 IN TERMS OF WHETHER OR NOT 21:11.100 --> 21:12.367 THINGS ARE SETTLED AND WE'RE IN 21:12.367 --> 21:15.533 A BALANCED BUDGET SITUATION, I 21:15.533 --> 21:20.800 WOULD SAY THAT EVERYONE'S IN A 21:20.800 --> 21:24.200 BALANCED BUDGET SITUATION NOW. 21:24.200 --> 21:25.500 LEGISLATURES DON'T SEEM TO KNOW 21:25.500 --> 21:27.467 WHAT THEY'VE PASSED IN TERMS OF 21:27.467 --> 21:29.833 THE MONEY THAT THEY'LL GENERATE 21:29.833 --> 21:31.367 AND WILL PAY FOR THINGS. 21:31.367 --> 21:37.633 THERE IS A POTENTIAL BUDGET 21:37.633 --> 21:40.067 DEFICIT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR THAT 21:40.067 --> 21:40.800 JUST ENDED. 21:40.800 --> 21:43.533 IT IS AN OVERASSUMPTION TO 21:43.533 --> 21:47.600 SUGGEST EVERYTHING IS FINE AND 21:47.600 --> 21:47.933 DANDY. 21:47.933 --> 21:50.700 >> YOU CAN BEEN COVERING 21:50.700 --> 21:52.933 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS FOR MANY 21:52.933 --> 21:53.267 YEARS. 21:53.267 --> 21:55.600 HOW WOULD YOU RATE THIS ONE? 21:55.600 --> 21:56.400 >> LONG. 21:56.400 --> 21:56.933 [LAUGHTER] 21:56.933 --> 21:58.567 19 WEEKS IN A ROW OF THREE 21:58.567 --> 22:00.433 SESSIONS IS MORE THAN ANYBODY 22:00.433 --> 22:02.567 SHOULD BE ASKED TO DO, REPORTER 22:02.567 --> 22:05.733 OF LEGISLATURE OR MEMBER OF THE 22:05.733 --> 22:08.200 PUBLIC WATCHING IT. 22:08.200 --> 22:10.167 >> DR RICHARDSON, YOU PROBABLY 22:10.167 --> 22:14.233 ONE OF THE BEST WELL-KNOWN 22:14.233 --> 22:15.733 ECONOMIST AT LSU. 22:15.733 --> 22:19.333 HOW DID YOU VIEW WHAT HAPPENED 22:19.333 --> 22:22.033 IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS? 22:22.033 --> 22:25.000 >> A COUPLE OF THINGS I WILL SAY 22:25.000 --> 22:29.633 THEY DID WELL, TRYING TO 22:29.633 --> 22:31.500 REINCORPORATE THE INCOME TAX 22:31.500 --> 22:31.800 BASE. 22:31.800 --> 22:33.300 I THINK THEY DID A VERY NICE 22:33.300 --> 22:33.633 THING. 22:33.633 --> 22:35.267 ON THE BROADER PICTURE OF THE 22:35.267 --> 22:37.400 OVERALL BUDGET, WE ARE STILL 22:37.400 --> 22:40.433 VERY CLOUDY ABOUT IF WE REALLY 22:40.433 --> 22:43.633 SOLVED THE BUDGET PROBLEM. 22:43.633 --> 22:47.067 WE DID NOT DO IT FOR THE 22:47.067 --> 22:47.633 LONG-TERM. 22:47.633 --> 22:49.400 EVEN IN THE SHORT-TERM, MANY OF 22:49.400 --> 22:50.867 THE TAX CHANGES, THE NUMBERS 22:50.867 --> 22:55.767 THAT ARE BEING USED TO PROJETH, 22:55.767 --> 22:58.167 VERY, VERY SHAKY, VERY SOFT AND 22:58.167 --> 23:01.100 UNSURE OF OURSELVES ABOUT HOW 23:01.100 --> 23:02.667 MUCH MONEY WE WILL GET IN THE 23:02.667 --> 23:02.900 END. 23:02.900 --> 23:05.500 YOU HAVE THE ONGOING ECONOMY, 23:05.500 --> 23:07.433 WHICH IS DRAGGING A LITTLE BIT 23:07.433 --> 23:09.900 BECAUSE THE ENERGY SECTOR, NOT 23:09.900 --> 23:12.400 DOING NEARLY AS WELL AS IT ONCE 23:12.400 --> 23:12.700 WAS. 23:12.700 --> 23:15.433 TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, I THINK FOR 23:15.433 --> 23:19.933 THIS FISCAL YEAR WE JUST ENDED, 23:19.933 --> 23:24.367 WILL BE A T SURELY 23:24.367 --> 23:25.267 DEFICIT OF FUNDS. 23:25.267 --> 23:27.067 I WILL NOT BE SURPRISED IF WE 23:27.067 --> 23:29.667 HAD TO BRING ANOTHER SESSION IN 23:29.667 --> 23:30.333 EARLY JANUARY. 23:30.333 --> 23:32.767 >> THAT'S A SOBERING THOUGHTS. 23:32.767 --> 23:34.400 THINGS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE BEFORE 23:34.400 --> 23:37.167 THEY'VE GOTTEN BETTER. 23:37.167 --> 23:37.733 I APPRECIATE THAT 23:37.733 --> 23:40.667 DR. RICHARDSON. 23:40.667 --> 23:41.300 ABO 23:41.300 --> 23:41.800 HOW ABOUT YOU? 23:41.800 --> 23:44.367 >> WELL, AS A FRESHMAN 23:44.367 --> 23:46.433 LEGISLATURE, I WENT INTO THIS 23:46.433 --> 23:48.867 PROCESS AS A STUDENT OF THE 23:48.867 --> 23:49.467 PROCESS. 23:49.467 --> 23:51.467 THE THING THAT I FOUND MOST GOOD 23:51.467 --> 23:53.467 FOR ME IN THE BEGINNING WAS TO 23:53.467 --> 23:55.433 BE ABLE TO ATTEND WAYS AND MEANS 23:55.433 --> 23:57.833 AND APPROPRIATIONS AND WATCH 23:57.833 --> 23:59.100 BILLS GET VETTED OUT AND 23:59.100 --> 24:02.200 UNDERSTAND THE IMPACTS TO SO 24:02.200 --> 24:04.600 MANY PEOPLE AND THAT HELPED ME 24:04.600 --> 24:05.900 UNDERSTAND, WHEN WE WENT INTO IT 24:05.900 --> 24:08.033 AND I JUST WANTED TO DIVE IN AND 24:08.033 --> 24:12.433 HELP, I WASN'T SENT HERE TO SIT 24:12.433 --> 24:15.367 ON THE SIDELINES AND I RAN A 24:15.367 --> 24:16.800 CAMPAIGN ON NOT KICKING THE CAN 24:16.800 --> 24:17.633 DOWN THE ROAD. 24:17.633 --> 24:19.233 I IMMEDIATELY STEPPED IN WITH 24:19.233 --> 24:22.033 WHAT THINGS THAT I KNEW ABOUT, 24:22.033 --> 24:24.700 SUCH AS VENDOR COMPENSATION FEES 24:24.700 --> 24:27.067 AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT I 24:27.067 --> 24:29.167 COULD DELIVER ON AND IT WAS A 24:29.167 --> 24:29.833 SPENDING CUT. 24:29.833 --> 24:32.100 THE PROCESS, THOUGH, AFTER THREE 24:32.100 --> 24:34.600 SESSIONS, I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE 24:34.600 --> 24:37.100 I'M NO LONGER A FRESHMAN. 24:37.100 --> 24:37.500 [LAUGHTER] 24:37.500 --> 24:39.367 >> I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S A 24:39.367 --> 24:40.733 FRESHMAN ANYMORE AFTER GOING 24:40.733 --> 24:41.967 THROUGH ALL OF THAT. 24:41.967 --> 24:45.800 HOW DARE YOU, AS A LEGISLATURE, 24:45.800 --> 24:48.300 TRY TO CAPITALIZE ON THINGS YOU 24:48.300 --> 24:51.467 KNOW ABOUT. 24:51.467 --> 24:51.867 [LAUGHTER] 24:51.867 --> 24:56.300 >> HE CREATED AN ORGANIZATION TO 24:56.300 --> 24:58.633 REVAMP THE FISCAL AREA OF THE 24:58.633 --> 24:59.233 STATE. 24:59.233 --> 25:00.667 DAVID. TO GO TO 25:00.667 --> 25:03.900 YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT ALL THE 25:03.900 --> 25:06.533 XEMPTIONS AND CREDITS ANDú| 25:06.533 --> 25:08.867 WHATNOT THAT INTERFERE WITH OUR 25:08.867 --> 25:10.400 REVENUE PICTURE. 25:10.400 --> 25:11.167 >> I APPRECIATE IT. 25:11.167 --> 25:13.667 JUST SPEAKING AS AN INDIVIDUAL 25:13.667 --> 25:15.867 TAXPAYER, I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT 25:15.867 --> 25:17.733 SOME OF THE -- YOU KNOW, SOME OF 25:17.733 --> 25:21.200 THE THINGS THAT WERE PROPOSED. 25:21.200 --> 25:23.533 AND, I, LIKE MANY PEOPLE -- I'M 25:23.533 --> 25:25.767 ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, TAKE 25:25.767 --> 25:28.133 ADVANTAGE OF THINGS, MORTGAGE 25:28.133 --> 25:29.733 INTEREST WRITE-OFF AND THINGS 25:29.733 --> 25:30.900 LIKE THAT. 25:30.900 --> 25:34.433 I THINK THE ELIMINATION OR THE 25:34.433 --> 25:36.533 DECREASING OF THOSE TAX -- OF 25:36.533 --> 25:38.533 THOSE CREDITS WHEN I DO MY TAXES 25:38.533 --> 25:41.200 AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE 25:41.200 --> 25:43.100 STATE, PERSONALLY, I GUESS I 25:43.100 --> 25:46.200 THINK IT'S KIND OF A BAD IDEA. 25:46.200 --> 25:50.233 IT HURTS THE MIDDLE CLASS PEOPLE 25:50.233 --> 25:52.967 AND I THINK IT HURTS ALMOST ALL 25:52.967 --> 25:56.133 HOMEOWNERS, ANYONE THAT'S GOT A 25:56.133 --> 25:56.533 MORTGAGE. 25:56.533 --> 25:58.167 AND I WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT 25:58.167 --> 25:59.633 CURIOUS IF THEY'RE STILL GOING 25:59.633 --> 26:00.500 TO BEAT THAT DRUM? 26:00.500 --> 26:02.333 IF THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO 26:02.333 --> 26:05.233 STILL BE BEATING THE DRUM NEXT 26:05.233 --> 26:05.567 YEAR? 26:05.567 --> 26:06.533 >> PARTICULAR PERSONAL OR 26:06.533 --> 26:08.000 INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXES? 26:08.000 --> 26:10.600 >> DEDUCTIONS THAT YOU GET FROM 26:10.600 --> 26:11.000 YOUR -- 26:11.000 --> 26:13.500 >> HOW OUR LEGISLATURES WANT TO 26:13.500 --> 26:14.300 REACT TO THAT? 26:14.300 --> 26:15.733 >> THE ONE THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED 26:15.733 --> 26:17.633 WOULD HAVE EXCLUDED THAT 26:17.633 --> 26:18.867 WRITE-OFF SO YOU STILL ENJOY 26:18.867 --> 26:22.267 THAT WRITE-OFF, EVEN WITH THE 26:22.267 --> 26:23.900 GOVERNOR'S WRITE-OFF. 26:23.900 --> 26:25.867 >> CHARITABLE DONATIONS AND 26:25.867 --> 26:26.467 THINGS LIKE THAT. 26:26.467 --> 26:27.967 >> REPRESENTATIVE WHITE? 26:27.967 --> 26:32.467 >> I ACTUALLY CARRIED THAT BILL, 26:32.467 --> 26:35.467 ROB SHADOIN CARRIED IT IN THE 26:35.467 --> 26:37.667 FIRST ROUND AND WHEN IT FAILED, 26:37.667 --> 26:40.833 I WITH HAD A BILL THE SAME. 26:40.833 --> 26:43.067 AND WORKED TO MAKE THAT BILL 26:43.067 --> 26:44.133 SOMETHING THAT WOULD ACTUALLY 26:44.133 --> 26:46.833 BRING ABOUT TAX REFORM IN A GOOD 26:46.833 --> 26:47.133 WAY. 26:47.133 --> 26:49.933 AND SO BASICALLY, JUST IN GIST, 26:49.933 --> 26:54.300 IT WAS ONE THAT DID NOT ALLOW TO 26:54.300 --> 26:56.833 ALL TAX DEDUCTIONS WITH THE 26:56.833 --> 26:58.200 EXEMPTION OF STATE INCOME TAX 26:58.200 --> 27:00.033 AND SALES AND USE TAX. 27:00.033 --> 27:02.933 THAT WAS IT. 27:02.933 --> 27:06.767 AND, THIS IMPACT THAT WE TALKED 27:06.767 --> 27:09.400 ABOUT FOR SOMEONE MAKING 27:09.400 --> 27:12.100 $100,000 A YEAR, IT WOULD HAVE 27:12.100 --> 27:13.567 COST THEM $200. 27:13.567 --> 27:16.067 IF YOU ARE MAKING $1 MILLION, IT 27:16.067 --> 27:18.433 WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND $2,500. 27:18.433 --> 27:22.433 IN LIEU OF THE SERVICES IT WOULD 27:22.433 --> 27:25.400 HAVE COVERED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 27:25.400 --> 27:27.800 TREMENDOUS AND BROUGHT IN $88 27:27.800 --> 27:30.267 MILLION CORRECTLY FROM THESE TAX 27:30.267 --> 27:33.833 DEDUCTION EXEMPTIONS. 27:33.833 --> 27:36.133 IT WOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED YOUR 27:36.133 --> 27:39.800 MORTGAGE INTEREST, YOUR 27:39.800 --> 27:43.033 CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS. 27:43.033 --> 27:44.667 >> YOU MAY GET ANOTHER CHANCE? 27:44.667 --> 27:46.067 YOU MAY GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO 27:46.067 --> 27:48.433 TALK ABOUT THAT NEXT YEAR. 27:48.433 --> 27:49.667 FREDERICK, YOU HAD A QUESTION 27:49.667 --> 27:51.467 ABOUT A TOPIC THAT EVERYONE 27:51.467 --> 27:54.667 GROWNED AND SIGHED ABOUT WHEN WE 27:54.667 --> 27:56.700 BROUGHT IT UP EARLIER, "TOPS." 27:56.700 --> 27:58.900 >> I'M A RECENT HIGH SCHOOL 27:58.900 --> 27:59.333 GRADUATE. 27:59.333 --> 28:02.100 I GRADUATED THIS PAST MAY AND 28:02.100 --> 28:04.467 "TOPS" IS ON EVERY HIGH SCHOOL 28:04.467 --> 28:05.167 SENIOR'S MIND. 28:05.167 --> 28:07.233 IT WAS ON MY MIND DEFINITELY. 28:07.233 --> 28:08.833 WHAT WE WANT TO KNOW IS, IS 28:08.833 --> 28:11.400 THERE A PLAN IN PLACE -- THE 28:11.400 --> 28:12.700 QUESTION IS DIRECTED MORE TOWARD 28:12.700 --> 28:13.767 TO LEGISLATURES. 28:13.767 --> 28:16.733 IS THERE A PLAN IN PLACE TO 28:16.733 --> 28:19.167 FULLY FUND "TOPS" IN SUBSEQUENT 28:19.167 --> 28:20.933 YEARS AND AT THE PROMISE THAT 28:20.933 --> 28:24.567 WAS MADE TO STUDENTS -- 28:24.567 --> 28:25.933 >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. 28:25.933 --> 28:28.367 WE'RE GOING TO LET THE 28:28.367 --> 28:29.167 LEGISLATURES ANSWER IT. 28:29.167 --> 28:31.667 WHY DON'T YOU TELL US WHAT 28:31.667 --> 28:32.333 HAPPENED TO "TOPS." 28:32.333 --> 28:34.767 >> WELL, THEY DIDN'T FULLY FUND 28:34.767 --> 28:35.033 IT. 28:35.033 --> 28:37.600 WHAT THEY DID, THIS TIME, IS -- 28:37.600 --> 28:41.333 FIRST OF ALL, THEY PASSED A LAW 28:41.333 --> 28:44.533 THAT CAPS THE SPENDING ON "TOPS" 28:44.533 --> 28:47.467 SO THAT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY 28:47.467 --> 28:50.200 GROW AS THE COST OF TUITION 28:50.200 --> 28:50.500 GROWS. 28:50.500 --> 28:53.767 IF LSU WANTED TO RAISE ITS 28:53.767 --> 28:55.533 TUITION, THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T 28:55.533 --> 28:57.467 HAVE TO INCREASE THE PAYMENTS 28:57.467 --> 29:00.033 FROM "TOPS" TO MATCH THE TUITION 29:00.033 --> 29:00.433 COST. 29:00.433 --> 29:02.867 SETTING THAT ASIDE FOR FUTURE 29:02.867 --> 29:05.700 YEARS, THEY DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY 29:05.700 --> 29:08.500 PAY FOR THE FULL PROGRAM NOW SO 29:08.500 --> 29:09.900 STUDENTS WILL FACE A CUT FOR THE 29:09.900 --> 29:12.733 AWARD IN THE UPCOMING SCHOOL 29:12.733 --> 29:13.033 YEAR. 29:13.033 --> 29:14.833 SMALL CUT IN THE FALL AND A 29:14.833 --> 29:16.733 BIGGER CUT IN THE SPRING. 29:16.733 --> 29:18.567 AND TO YOUR QUESTION, I DON'T 29:18.567 --> 29:20.367 THINK THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT 29:20.367 --> 29:22.300 SUGGESTS THERE WAS A SUSTAINABLE 29:22.300 --> 29:24.067 PLAN FOR THE LONG-TERM TO 29:24.067 --> 29:25.767 CONTINUE TO FUNDING "TOPS" AND 29:25.767 --> 29:27.600 TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO 29:27.600 --> 29:29.400 IS ELIGIBLE ACTUALLY RECEIVES 29:29.400 --> 29:30.267 THE FUNDING. 29:30.267 --> 29:31.900 >> HOW ABOUT OUR LEGISLATURES, 29:31.900 --> 29:33.133 DO YOU AGREE? 29:33.133 --> 29:36.733 >> THE CURRENT REVENUE MEASURE 29:36.733 --> 29:39.333 IN PLACE WON'T FUND MOST 29:39.333 --> 29:40.133 ANYTHING. 29:40.133 --> 29:43.267 IF WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE IF WE 29:43.267 --> 29:47.000 DON'T PICK SOMETHING ELSE OR 29:47.000 --> 29:49.267 RENEW WHAT'S IN PLACE. 29:49.267 --> 29:53.800 THE LEGISLATURE REJECTED IT. 29:53.800 --> 29:55.867 >> DO YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN 29:55.867 --> 29:56.267 COLLEGE? 29:56.267 --> 29:58.200 >> I HAVE CHILDREN IN COLLEGE 29:58.200 --> 30:01.067 FROM 2004, THREE CHILDREN, 30:01.067 --> 30:03.567 STARTING IN 2004 AND JUST 30:03.567 --> 30:06.967 GRADUATING IN 2016, THIS YEAR. 30:06.967 --> 30:09.833 >> WERE THEY "TOPS" STUDENTS? 30:09.833 --> 30:12.033 >> THEY WERE "TOPS" STUDENTS. 30:12.033 --> 30:14.033 UNDERSTOOD THAT COMPLETELY. 30:14.033 --> 30:17.000 WHAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW 30:17.000 --> 30:20.167 THE FUNDING WORKED UNTIL I GOT 30:20.167 --> 30:20.467 HERE. 30:20.467 --> 30:24.133 I LISTENED TO A GENTLEMAN 30:24.133 --> 30:26.633 EXPLAIN TO ME HOW HIGHER 30:26.633 --> 30:28.800 EDUCATION HAD BEEN CUT BY 70%, 30:28.800 --> 30:31.000 WHICH DROVE THEIR COST UP. 30:31.000 --> 30:32.400 WHILE THEY COST WAS BEING DRIVEN 30:32.400 --> 30:35.267 UP, I WATCH MY CHILDREN -- FROM 30:35.267 --> 30:37.367 ONE TO THE OTHER, THEIR "TOPS" 30:37.367 --> 30:40.033 GO UP SO REALLY, BASICALLY, 30:40.033 --> 30:41.400 WE'RE SHIFTING TAX DOLLARS FROM 30:41.400 --> 30:43.767 ONE TO THE OTHER TO COMPENSATE 30:43.767 --> 30:45.667 FOR THE RISING COST AND REALLY 30:45.667 --> 30:48.967 THE BURDEN WAS CARRIED ON THE 30:48.967 --> 30:51.933 BACKS OF THE PARENTS AND 30:51.933 --> 30:52.300 STUDENTS. 30:52.300 --> 30:55.467 >> A LOT OF THAT SHIFTING FOR 30:55.467 --> 30:56.233 BURD 30:56.233 --> 30:57.700 BURDEN, ESPECIALLY FOR REVENUE, 30:57.700 --> 30:59.100 THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THINKS 30:59.100 --> 31:02.300 THEY'RE TAKING MORE FROM US THAN 31:02.300 --> 31:03.033 INDIVIDUALS. 31:03.033 --> 31:04.400 MONIQUE, YOU'RE WITH THE 31:04.400 --> 31:07.600 [INDISCERNIBLE] CHAMBER, IS THAT 31:07.600 --> 31:07.967 CORRECT? 31:07.967 --> 31:08.533 >> [INDISCERNIBLE] 31:08.533 --> 31:10.333 >> YOU HAD YOUR HANDS FULL. 31:10.333 --> 31:10.767 [LAUGHTER] 31:10.767 --> 31:11.667 >> IT WAS A VERY LONG SESSION 31:11.667 --> 31:14.867 AND I LEARNED A LOT. 31:14.867 --> 31:16.000 [INDISCERNIBLE] AND SEVERAL 31:16.000 --> 31:17.033 [INDISCERNIBLE] AND OUR 31:17.033 --> 31:19.867 INVESTORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT 31:19.867 --> 31:21.933 THE ANTI-BUSINESS SETMENT THAT 31:21.933 --> 31:22.800 [INDISCERNIBLE] THE LEGISLATURE 31:22.800 --> 31:23.667 THIS YEAR. 31:23.667 --> 31:26.867 WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE 31:26.867 --> 31:29.267 ECONOMIC POSTURE OF OUR STATE. 31:29.267 --> 31:30.933 THERE ARE LARGE INDUSTRY THAT 31:30.933 --> 31:33.967 HAVE BUSINESS EXPANSION PLANS 31:33.967 --> 31:36.200 AND WE WERE ON THE TABLE TO BE 31:36.200 --> 31:39.700 CONSIDERED FOR THOSE EXPANSIONS. 31:39.700 --> 31:42.033 WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE WILL BE THE 31:42.033 --> 31:45.200 FUND SO THAT THE 31:45.200 --> 31:47.767 FRONT OF THE BUDGET SHORTFALL 31:47.767 --> 31:49.467 DOESN'T FALL TO BUSINESS? 31:49.467 --> 31:50.967 >> I'D LIKE DR. RICHARDSON TO 31:50.967 --> 31:55.700 TRY TO ADDRESS THIS BALANCE WITH 31:55.700 --> 31:56.400 BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUALS. 31:56.400 --> 31:59.900 >> WELL, IF YOU GO BACK AND JUST 31:59.900 --> 32:02.133 SEE WHAT WE DID, WE FIRST 32:02.133 --> 32:04.400 STARTED REALLY RAISING TAXES TO 32:04.400 --> 32:08.433 MEET SHORTFALLS IN OUR BUDGET IN 32:08.433 --> 32:08.733 2015. 32:08.733 --> 32:11.267 AND ALMOST ALL OF THOSE TAX 32:11.267 --> 32:12.433 INCREASES, THOUGH THEY WERE NOT 32:12.433 --> 32:14.133 CALLED TAX INCREASES, THAT'S 32:14.133 --> 32:16.567 WHAT THEY WERE, WERE REALLY 32:16.567 --> 32:18.167 FOCUSED ON BUSINESS. 32:18.167 --> 32:21.600 ON CUTTING BACK CREDITS. 32:21.600 --> 32:23.133 CUTTING BACK EXEMPTIONS. 32:23.133 --> 32:25.233 FOCUS.S KIND OF THE 32:25.233 --> 32:26.967 AND THAT -- WHEN IT GOT INTO THE 32:26.967 --> 32:30.633 NEW YEAR IN 2016 AND A NEW 32:30.633 --> 32:32.200 GOVERNOR AND THEY NEEDED MONEY 32:32.200 --> 32:34.233 IN A HURRY, THEY THEN WENT TO 32:34.233 --> 32:36.167 THE SALES TAX, WHICH IS MORE 32:36.167 --> 32:38.267 INDIVIDUAL ORIENTED, BUT ALSO 32:38.267 --> 32:40.033 BUSINESSES PAY THAT, TOO. 32:40.033 --> 32:41.433 IT'S JUST NOT INDIVIDUALS. 32:41.433 --> 32:44.500 THEN THEY ALSO DID SOME MORE 32:44.500 --> 32:48.267 CUTTING ON THE TAX CREDITS, AS 32:48.267 --> 32:48.600 WELL. 32:48.600 --> 32:51.200 SOME MORE HAIRCUTS, I THINK, 32:51.200 --> 32:52.700 THEY CALLED THEM. 32:52.700 --> 32:54.300 THAT'S WHERE THEY COULD GET 32:54.300 --> 32:54.633 MONEY. 32:54.633 --> 32:57.667 ALSO, EVEN IF YOU LISTEN TO BOTH 32:57.667 --> 33:00.200 SIDES, THE DEMOCRATS AND THE 33:00.200 --> 33:01.800 REPUBLICANS, THE GENERAL FAVOR 33:01.800 --> 33:03.467 WAS, WELL, BUSINESS IS GOING TO 33:03.467 --> 33:04.733 PAY ITS SHARE. 33:04.733 --> 33:06.400 THAT'S KIND OF THE FOCUS. 33:06.400 --> 33:09.633 I THINK AS WE THINK ABOUT 33:09.633 --> 33:11.067 REDUING THE TAX STRUCTURE, YOU 33:11.067 --> 33:12.767 TAXTHE MAKE S 33:12.767 --> 33:15.467 STRUCTURE, ONE, IT GENERATES THE 33:15.467 --> 33:17.133 REVENUE THE STATE THINGS IT 33:17.133 --> 33:19.167 NEEDS TO SPEND ON IMPORTANT 33:19.167 --> 33:20.300 PROGRAMS, WHICH COULD BE FROM 33:20.300 --> 33:22.267 EDUCATION TO HEALTHCARE TO 33:22.267 --> 33:23.633 PRISONS TO HIGHWAYS. 33:23.633 --> 33:27.267 NUMBER TWO, IT ALSO HAS TO BE -- 33:27.267 --> 33:29.733 I SAY BUSINESS-FRIENDLY. 33:29.733 --> 33:33.600 IT CANNOT BE SO ANTI-COMPETITIVE 33:33.600 --> 33:38.067 OR ANTI-BUSINESS THAT YOU MAKE 33:38.067 --> 33:39.667 PEOPLE THINK ABOUT WHERE THEY 33:39.667 --> 33:41.400 WANT TO INVEST. 33:41.400 --> 33:43.367 AS WE GO ALONG THERE, I THINK 33:43.367 --> 33:45.767 THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURES, 33:45.767 --> 33:48.267 THEY'RE VERY AWARE OF THAT 33:48.267 --> 33:49.800 DELICATE BALANCE. 33:49.800 --> 33:52.233 DO THEY ALWAYS COME UP WITH 33:52.233 --> 33:52.600 ANSWERS? 33:52.600 --> 33:54.567 NO, NOT NECESSARILY. 33:54.567 --> 33:56.367 BUT I THINK IT WILL BE A DRIVING 33:56.367 --> 33:58.600 POINT AS WE GO ABOUT REFORMING 33:58.600 --> 34:00.033 THE TAX CODE OVER THE NEXT 34:00.033 --> 34:02.167 SEVERAL YEARS, YES. 34:02.167 --> 34:03.567 >> REPRESENT FROM 34:03.567 --> 34:05.267 [INDISCERNIBLE], JAY, THINKS IT 34:05.267 --> 34:07.500 IS A VERY INTERESTING BALANCE, 34:07.500 --> 34:07.833 INDEED. 34:07.833 --> 34:09.500 DO YOU WANT TO FOLLOW-UP WITH A 34:09.500 --> 34:11.167 QUESTION WITH THAT? 34:11.167 --> 34:12.567 >> I WOULD. 34:12.567 --> 34:14.367 GIVEN THE FACT THAT THIS PAST 34:14.367 --> 34:16.567 SEVERAL SESSIONS, WE HAD TAX 34:16.567 --> 34:17.067 INCREASES. 34:17.067 --> 34:18.800 WE HAD CREDIT CURTAILMENT AND 34:18.800 --> 34:20.500 SOME OTHER PAYMENTS THAT WERE 34:20.500 --> 34:22.900 EITHER ELIMINATED OR SHORTFALL 34:22.900 --> 34:24.100 LIKE VENDORS COMP. 34:24.100 --> 34:26.033 WE KNOW THAT WAS ALL A BRIDGE TO 34:26.033 --> 34:27.167 GET TO TRUE REFORM. 34:27.167 --> 34:28.767 WE HAVE A [INDISCERNIBLE] ABOUT 34:28.767 --> 34:30.100 DR. RICHARDSON. 34:30.100 --> 34:31.800 WE HAVE A TASK FORCE DEALING 34:31.800 --> 34:35.833 WITH INVENTORY TAX AND SALES TAX 34:35.833 --> 34:37.367 STREAMLINING AND MODERNIZATION 34:37.367 --> 34:41.233 AND ALL OF THESE REPORTS ARE 34:41.233 --> 34:44.000 GOING TO COALESCE CLOSER TO THE 34:44.000 --> 34:44.267 2017. 34:44.267 --> 34:46.467 DO YOU SEE AN APPETITE TO DO 34:46.467 --> 34:49.767 TRUE REFORM, WHICH INCLUDES 34:49.767 --> 34:52.200 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS, WHICH 34:52.200 --> 34:55.300 INCLUDES STATUTORY REFORMS AND 34:55.300 --> 34:56.800 DEDICATIONS, CONSTITUTIONAL 34:56.800 --> 34:57.233 DEDICATIONS? 34:57.233 --> 34:58.533 SOME THINGS THAT WILL BE 34:58.533 --> 34:59.767 DIFFICULT TO DO, BUT IT WILL 34:59.767 --> 35:00.767 TAKE WILL TO DO IT. 35:00.767 --> 35:02.100 DO YOU SEE THAT WILL? 35:02.100 --> 35:05.233 >> IT IS THE QUESTION OF THE 35:05.233 --> 35:05.833 HOUR. 35:05.833 --> 35:07.600 I'LL ASK BOTH OUR LEGISLATURES 35:07.600 --> 35:08.600 TO ADDRESS THAT. 35:08.600 --> 35:10.533 >> I THINK THE WILL IS THERE. 35:10.533 --> 35:12.733 ONE THING ABOUT TAXES IS WHO IS 35:12.733 --> 35:17.567 GOING TO PAY THEM IS LIKE THIS 35:17.567 --> 35:19.300 GENTLEMAN POINTED OUT, HE 35:19.300 --> 35:21.100 DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE UP HIS 35:21.100 --> 35:21.500 EXEMPTIONS. 35:21.500 --> 35:23.933 THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR 35:23.933 --> 35:24.233 "TOPS." 35:24.233 --> 35:28.700 WE ARE SELF-INTERESTED IN HOW WE 35:28.700 --> 35:31.167 DO AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT 35:31.167 --> 35:32.767 LEGISLATURES HAVE TO DEAL WITH. 35:32.767 --> 35:35.167 THEY COME TO THE CAPITOL AND 35:35.167 --> 35:37.600 SAY, MY BUSINESS CAN'T MAKE IT. 35:37.600 --> 35:40.500 IT WILL BE DESTROYED WITHOUT THE 35:40.500 --> 35:41.033 CREDITS THEY GET. 35:41.033 --> 35:42.067 IT GOES ON AND ON. 35:42.067 --> 35:43.733 AT THE END OF THE DAY, TO COME 35:43.733 --> 35:45.433 UP WITH A FAIR SYSTEM. 35:45.433 --> 35:47.133 I'M HOPING THAT THE LEGISLATURE 35:47.133 --> 35:48.933 WILL AND UP WITH IT BECAUSE IF 35:48.933 --> 35:50.967 WE DON'T, WE WILL -- IF THEY 35:50.967 --> 35:54.667 DON'T COME UP WITH ANY REFORM, 35:54.667 --> 35:57.600 THE ONLY THING WE'LL BE FORCED 35:57.600 --> 35:58.733 TO DO IS RENEW IT. 35:58.733 --> 36:01.333 WE HAVE THE HIGHEST TAXES IN THE 36:01.333 --> 36:02.867 COUNTRY, IN A STATE WITH MORE 36:02.867 --> 36:05.533 THAN A FAIR SHARE OF PEOPLE WITH 36:05.533 --> 36:05.900 POVERTY. 36:05.900 --> 36:08.067 AS YOU POINTED OUT, YOU'RE 36:08.067 --> 36:10.133 WORRIED ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENT 36:10.133 --> 36:10.433 BASE. 36:10.433 --> 36:12.700 AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHATEVER 36:12.700 --> 36:14.133 SYSTEM WE COME UP WITH HAS TO BE 36:14.133 --> 36:16.433 FAIR AND THAT'LL BE -- 36:16.433 --> 36:19.133 >> WE WELL OVER $1 BILLION IN 36:19.133 --> 36:20.933 NEW REVENUE AND THROUGH 36:20.933 --> 36:22.767 EXEMPTIONS AND WHATNOT THAT WERE 36:22.767 --> 36:24.100 CANCELED, THAT TWO YEARS FROM 36:24.100 --> 36:26.600 NOW, ARE GOING TO GO AWAY. 36:26.600 --> 36:29.633 SO IS THAT, REPRESENTATIVE 36:29.633 --> 36:31.767 WHITE, GOING TO BE AN 36:31.767 --> 36:33.267 ENCOURAGEMENT OR SENATE TO DO 36:33.267 --> 36:34.933 REAL REFORM? 36:34.933 --> 36:37.167 >> I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT IS 36:37.167 --> 36:38.600 THE INCENTIVE. 36:38.600 --> 36:40.167 I THINK THERE WILL BE MANY 36:40.167 --> 36:41.367 CONVERSATIONS AND DIALOGUES 36:41.367 --> 36:42.900 BETWEEN LEGISLATURES, THE 36:42.900 --> 36:45.867 GOVERNOR AND BUSINESS AND 36:45.867 --> 36:47.567 INDUSTRY, THAT WE WILL HOPEFULLY 36:47.567 --> 36:49.867 BE ABLE TO WORK OUT SOMETHING 36:49.867 --> 36:51.867 THAT IS CONSIDERED FAIR AND BE 36:51.867 --> 36:54.867 ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GROW THE 36:54.867 --> 36:55.933 ECONOMY IN LOUISIANA WITHOUT 36:55.933 --> 36:57.100 HURTING IT SO MUCH. 36:57.100 --> 36:59.333 IT MEANS JOBS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR 36:59.333 --> 37:01.067 ALL OF US. 37:01.067 --> 37:03.900 AND, AS A BUSINESSPERSON, I 37:03.900 --> 37:05.633 COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT. 37:05.633 --> 37:08.800 IT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING -- 37:08.800 --> 37:10.800 IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE TO 37:10.800 --> 37:11.633 FIND THAT BALANCE. 37:11.633 --> 37:13.800 I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY CHOICE 37:13.800 --> 37:15.700 IN THAT MATTER AND THE MORE WE 37:15.700 --> 37:17.400 COME TO THE TABLE TOGETHER TO 37:17.400 --> 37:19.567 FIGURE THAT OUT, THE BETTER OFF 37:19.567 --> 37:21.300 THAT WE WILL ALL BE AND LESS OF 37:21.300 --> 37:24.000 AN IMPACT ON ANY ONE PARTICULAR 37:24.000 --> 37:24.333 SECTOR. 37:24.333 --> 37:25.967 >> AUSTIN, ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, 37:25.967 --> 37:27.800 HAD A QUESTION ABOUT ONE OF THE 37:27.800 --> 37:30.300 BIG TICKET ITEMS IN THE 37:30.300 --> 37:31.867 EXEMPTION AREA. 37:31.867 --> 37:34.333 AUSTIN, WHY DON'T YOU ASK THEM 37:34.333 --> 37:35.800 ABOUT IT? 37:35.800 --> 37:38.433 >> [INDISCERNIBLE] WHAT'S GOING 37:38.433 --> 37:41.200 ON WITH THE FILM TAX CREDIT. 37:41.200 --> 37:41.600 [LAUGHTER] 37:41.600 --> 37:42.500 MY QUESTION IS DIRECTED TOWARD 37:42.500 --> 37:43.967 THE LEGISLATURES. 37:43.967 --> 37:46.933 SO, ESSENTIALLY, THE 37:46.933 --> 37:48.800 [INDISCERNIBLE] WAS $180 37:48.800 --> 37:50.100 MILLION, THAT WOULD BE DEDICATED 37:50.100 --> 37:52.500 TO IT FOR THIS YEAR. 37:52.500 --> 37:54.000 SPEAKING FROM A BUSINESS 37:54.000 --> 37:57.400 STANDPOINT OR FROM THE IDEA OF 37:57.400 --> 37:59.333 FAIRNESS, HOW DOES THAT OR WILL 37:59.333 --> 38:01.867 THAT EFFECT BUSINESS NEGATIVELY 38:01.867 --> 38:04.767 OR POSITIVELY BEING THAT IT IS 38:04.767 --> 38:06.933 CAPPED AND THERE'S NO MORE MONEY 38:06.933 --> 38:08.233 THAT CAN BE SPENT ON. 38:08.233 --> 38:10.433 >> EVERY TIME YOU GIVE SOMEONE A 38:10.433 --> 38:11.833 CREDIT, YOU HAVE TO LOOK, DO 38:11.833 --> 38:14.400 THEY BRING ANYTHING EXTRA TO THE 38:14.400 --> 38:19.067 TABLE, OTHER THAN LOBBYIST TO 38:19.067 --> 38:20.733 BATON ROUGE THAT CRY ABOUT IT. 38:20.733 --> 38:26.467 IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT OTHER STOKES 38:26.467 --> 38:28.767 SOUTHERN STATES ARE DOING, IT'S 38:28.767 --> 38:30.567 TOO GENEROUS. 38:30.567 --> 38:32.633 I DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH THE 38:32.633 --> 38:33.533 CREDIT WE HAND OUT. 38:33.533 --> 38:34.867 >> DR. RICHARDSON, DO YOU HAVE A 38:34.867 --> 38:36.733 VIEW ON THE FILM TAX CREDIT? 38:36.733 --> 38:39.033 >> IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE 38:39.033 --> 38:40.767 STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE, YOU 38:40.767 --> 38:42.900 FIND WHAT ERIC SAID IS CORRECT 38:42.900 --> 38:45.433 AND THAT IS IN THE SENSE OF THE 38:45.433 --> 38:47.500 DOLLARS THAT WE PAY OUT IN THE 38:47.500 --> 38:53.133 CREDIT ARE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE 38:53.133 --> 38:54.033 THAN WE GET BACK. 38:54.033 --> 38:56.100 SO IN THE COST RATIO, THE STATE 38:56.100 --> 38:57.033 DOES NOT WIN. 38:57.033 --> 38:58.500 THERE'S NO DOUBT ON THE OTHER 38:58.500 --> 39:02.167 HAND, IF YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING 39:02.167 --> 39:05.167 SOMETHING -- A CREDIT CREATES 39:05.167 --> 39:07.700 ACTIVITY AND INTEREST. 39:07.700 --> 39:12.167 IT DOES NOT BRING BACK THE 39:12.167 --> 39:12.533 DOLLARS. 39:12.533 --> 39:17.967 >> HAS HOLLYWOOD SOUTH GONE 39:17.967 --> 39:18.300 SOUTH? 39:18.300 --> 39:19.500 >> I THINK WE STILL HAVE 39:19.500 --> 39:22.533 ACTIVITIES GOING ON BUT IT'S 39:22.533 --> 39:24.000 VERY COMPETITIVE. 39:24.000 --> 39:26.267 WITHIN ALL THE STATES TO TRY TO 39:26.267 --> 39:29.933 LURE THAT FILM INDUSTRY TO THEM. 39:29.933 --> 39:31.867 HOWEVER, I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE 39:31.867 --> 39:34.233 SEARCHING FOR RIGHT NOW IS A 39:34.233 --> 39:35.833 TRUE AUDIT PROCESS SO THAT WE DO 39:35.833 --> 39:37.533 SEE A GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT 39:37.533 --> 39:39.533 AND REALLY LOOK AT THAT AND 39:39.533 --> 39:42.433 ANYTHING TO DO WITH TAX CREDITS. 39:42.433 --> 39:44.500 ARE WE EMPLOYING THE PEOPLE WE 39:44.500 --> 39:45.833 SAY WE WERE WHEN WE WERE GETTING 39:45.833 --> 39:51.300 THE TAX CREDITS TO BEGIN WITH? 39:51.300 --> 39:54.333 I THINK THAT A REAL TRUE FOCUS 39:54.333 --> 39:58.367 ON THAT WILL TELL THE TALE. 39:58.367 --> 40:01.967 >> I THINK SOMEONE SPOKE 40:01.967 --> 40:03.933 ABOUT -- I THINK -- 40:03.933 --> 40:04.733 SELF-INTERESTED, WHICH IS 40:04.733 --> 40:06.667 ENTIRELY THE CASE. 40:06.667 --> 40:08.567 I'M A STATE WORKER. 40:08.567 --> 40:13.100 I HAVE AN OLDER BROTHER WITH 40:13.100 --> 40:18.433 SPINAL DI 40:18.433 --> 40:21.667 SPINAL BIFFDUH. 40:21.667 --> 40:23.967 I KNOW HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BEEN 40:23.967 --> 40:27.033 RAISED AT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT. 40:27.033 --> 40:30.667 MY QUESTION WILL BE TO CHAIRMAN 40:30.667 --> 40:32.233 LAFLEUR, AFTER THIS SESSION, ARE 40:32.233 --> 40:34.867 YOU MORE CONFIDENT OR LESS 40:34.867 --> 40:37.000 CONFIDENT IN THE LONG-TERM 40:37.000 --> 40:38.667 HEALTH FINANCIALLY OF THIS 40:38.667 --> 40:39.000 STATE? 40:39.000 --> 40:40.467 >> I MEAN, MY CONCERN IS THAT 40:40.467 --> 40:42.433 THE VOTES THAT WE TOOK, AT THIS 40:42.433 --> 40:43.800 POINT, WERE ALL TEMPORARY IN 40:43.800 --> 40:45.567 NATURE AND FAIRLY EASY TO MAKE 40:45.567 --> 40:47.200 BECAUSE THEY WERE ONLY TEMPORARY 40:47.200 --> 40:48.800 AND IT WAS ONLY A FIX TO GET US 40:48.800 --> 40:50.567 TO THE FOLLOWING YEAR. 40:50.567 --> 40:52.567 THE NEXT VOTES, IF THEY'RE GOING 40:52.567 --> 40:54.233 TO BE STRUCTURAL CHANGES, THE 40:54.233 --> 40:56.767 KIND THAT THE COMMISSION WILL 40:56.767 --> 40:59.867 PRESENT, I GUESS WE'LL PICK FROM 40:59.867 --> 41:02.067 THEIR MENU OF ITEMS. 41:02.067 --> 41:04.300 I HOPE THE GUYS I SERVE WITH AND 41:04.300 --> 41:06.600 THE WOMEN I SERVE WITH HAVE THE 41:06.600 --> 41:07.833 POLITICAL WILL TO PUT THE STATE 41:07.833 --> 41:10.700 ON A TRACK WHERE WE SEE EVERY 41:10.700 --> 41:13.167 YEAR REGULAR REVENUE, NOT 41:13.167 --> 41:16.400 NECESSARILY INCREASING AN 41:16.400 --> 41:17.933 EXTRAORDINARY RATE, BUT AN 41:17.933 --> 41:19.300 APPROPRIATE RATE TO SUSTAIN 41:19.300 --> 41:21.300 GOVERNMENT AND THE BASIC 41:21.300 --> 41:23.900 SERVICES WE PROVIDE SO HAVE KIDS 41:23.900 --> 41:26.833 IN HIGH SCHOOL HAVE PLANNED OUT 41:26.833 --> 41:29.433 FOUR YEARS GET WHAT THEY WORKED 41:29.433 --> 41:29.733 FOR. 41:29.733 --> 41:32.667 SO WE NEED SOMETHING THAT'S 41:32.667 --> 41:34.233 LONG-TERM AND RELIABLE AND 41:34.233 --> 41:36.367 THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I 41:36.367 --> 41:37.633 THINK DR. RICHARDSON WOULD AGREE 41:37.633 --> 41:39.967 THAT THE CREDIT AGENCIES ARE 41:39.967 --> 41:43.767 LOOKING AT US AS DOWNGRADING AND 41:43.767 --> 41:45.500 WE'VE BEEN ON WATCH BECAUSE THEY 41:45.500 --> 41:47.600 LOOK AT US AS A FISCAL HOUSE. 41:47.600 --> 41:51.167 >> THAT'S NOT IN ORDER. 41:51.167 --> 41:55.067 >> THE SENATORS AND THE 41:55.067 --> 41:57.567 REPRESENTATIVES WILL HAVE A 41:57.567 --> 41:58.967 TREMENDOUSLY TOUGH JOB. 41:58.967 --> 41:59.867 IT'S MORE THAN THEM. 41:59.867 --> 42:01.633 IT'S THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE. 42:01.633 --> 42:04.367 MANY OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO 42:04.367 --> 42:06.167 CHANGE ARE CONSSTUGZAL SO WE'RE 42:06.167 --> 42:07.567 GOING TO ASK THE REPRESENTATIVES 42:07.567 --> 42:09.833 AND THE SENATORS TO GIVE YOU AN 42:09.833 --> 42:11.267 OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK YOUR MIND 42:11.267 --> 42:15.233 ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD DO AND AS A 42:15.233 --> 42:17.233 COMMUNITY, ARE WE PREPARED TO 42:17.233 --> 42:20.167 VOTE FOR SOME OF THESE THINGS? 42:20.167 --> 42:21.900 ANY TIME YOU SUGGEST A CHANGE IN 42:21.900 --> 42:23.967 THE TAX, THERE ARE GOING TO BE 42:23.967 --> 42:27.933 CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO LIKE IT, 42:27.933 --> 42:29.767 PERSONALLY. 42:29.767 --> 42:32.367 AND CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT 42:32.367 --> 42:33.533 LIKE IT QUITE AS MUCH. 42:33.533 --> 42:35.800 THERE'S NO WAY TO GET AROUND 42:35.800 --> 42:36.600 THAT. 42:36.600 --> 42:37.800 THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE 42:37.800 --> 42:40.300 WHEN WE DO IT, THAT WE AREN'T 42:40.300 --> 42:42.700 AIMING AT ANY ONE SECTOR OF THE 42:42.700 --> 42:44.333 ECONOMY OR ANY ONE GROUP OF 42:44.333 --> 42:46.800 PEOPLE OR TRYING TO MAKE IT JUST 42:46.800 --> 42:48.833 AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE 42:48.833 --> 42:50.233 HORIZONTALLY, ACROSS PEOPLE WITH 42:50.233 --> 42:52.533 THE SAME INCOME OR VERTICALLY, 42:52.533 --> 42:54.700 PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT INCOMES 42:54.700 --> 42:56.533 AND THAT'S HARD TO DO AND PEOPLE 42:56.533 --> 42:58.600 HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WHAT'S 42:58.600 --> 42:59.000 GOOD. 42:59.000 --> 43:00.767 IT'S GOING TO BE A CHOICE OF THE 43:00.767 --> 43:03.467 PEOPLE, AS WELL, IT'S A CHOICE 43:03.467 --> 43:05.867 OF OUR LEGISLATURES. 43:05.867 --> 43:07.067 >> DR. RICHARDSON, YOU TOUCHED 43:07.067 --> 43:10.267 ON SOMETHING THAT KELLY HAS A 43:10.267 --> 43:11.467 BIG GLOBAL QUESTION ABOUT. 43:11.467 --> 43:14.267 >> MY INTEREST, OF COURSE, YOU 43:14.267 --> 43:16.800 KNOW, SELFISH HERE, IT'S FOR 43:16.800 --> 43:21.100 SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY. 43:21.100 --> 43:25.200 WE'RE -- AND I DO UNDERSTAND AND 43:25.200 --> 43:27.833 REALLY SYMPATHIZE WITH EVERYONE. 43:27.833 --> 43:30.633 I WAS A BENEFICIARY OF "TOPS," I 43:30.633 --> 43:34.300 GOT PAID $800 A SEMESTER FOR 43:34.300 --> 43:34.933 GOING TO SCHOOL. 43:34.933 --> 43:37.067 I GET IT, IT'S NEEDED. 43:37.067 --> 43:37.833 IT'S NECESSARY. 43:37.833 --> 43:40.367 BUT THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH -- 43:40.367 --> 43:42.000 WE'RE NOT ASKING TO GO TO 43:42.000 --> 43:43.500 COLLEGE, WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM 43:43.500 --> 43:45.267 TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE. 43:45.267 --> 43:47.300 WE'RE ASKING FOR THEM TO MAYBE 43:47.300 --> 43:48.933 BE ABLE TO EAT LIKE YOU AND I 43:48.933 --> 43:51.100 CAN EAT, LIKE YOU AND I CAN SIT 43:51.100 --> 43:51.933 HERE AND TALK. 43:51.933 --> 43:54.233 WE'RE ASKING FOR HELP TO GET 43:54.233 --> 43:55.300 THEM TO THAT POINT. 43:55.300 --> 44:01.967 IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY OF A 44:01.967 --> 44:04.300 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION TO 44:04.300 --> 44:08.400 SECURE FUNDS FOR THE WAIVER 44:08.400 --> 44:10.400 SERVICES OR EXPAND THE BUDGET 44:10.400 --> 44:12.000 FOR THE WAIVER SERVICES TO 44:12.000 --> 44:13.700 INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON 44:13.700 --> 44:15.900 THE WAITING LIST FOR 10-PLUS 44:15.900 --> 44:16.233 YEAR. 44:16.233 --> 44:19.000 >> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE 44:19.000 --> 44:20.400 AREN'T GETTING THE SUPPORT. 44:20.400 --> 44:22.300 >> THOUSANDS THAT NEED -- THAT 44:22.300 --> 44:24.067 ARE SITTING HERE DYING, WAITING. 44:24.067 --> 44:25.633 >> AS FAR AS THE CONSTITUTION 44:25.633 --> 44:28.400 THERE'S A LOT OF DEDICATED 44:28.400 --> 44:29.767 FUNDING OUT THERE THAT WE CAN'T 44:29.767 --> 44:30.100 TOUCH. 44:30.100 --> 44:34.267 I THINK THAT SOMETIMES IT GETS 44:34.267 --> 44:34.700 OFF-BALANCE. 44:34.700 --> 44:36.100 THE WAY I SEE IT, YOU CAN PUT 44:36.100 --> 44:38.400 YOUR MONIES ASIDE FOR SOMETHING 44:38.400 --> 44:41.400 AND THEN SOMETHING ELSE BREAKS 44:41.400 --> 44:41.700 LOOSE. 44:41.700 --> 44:44.067 IT'S THE SAME WAY IN THE STATE. 44:44.067 --> 44:46.067 DEDICATE NT TOp? 44:46.067 --> 44:48.567 FUNDING, IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE 44:48.567 --> 44:49.000 OF THAT. 44:49.000 --> 44:51.533 AND WE'VE SEEN IT. 44:51.533 --> 44:53.300 HOWEVER, I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND 44:53.300 --> 44:56.000 THE NEED FOR THOSE WAVERS. 44:56.000 --> 45:00.000 I, TOO, HAVE A DOWN SYNDROME 45:00.000 --> 45:00.333 UNCLE. 45:00.333 --> 45:01.467 ALL ME KNOWS IS LOVE. 45:01.467 --> 45:04.233 AND HE WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN 45:04.233 --> 45:06.800 INDEPENDENT IN HIS HOME AND HIS 45:06.800 --> 45:10.133 MOTHER, MY GRANDMOTHER'S 94 45:10.133 --> 45:12.333 YEARS OLD WITH AN AMPUTATED LEG. 45:12.333 --> 45:14.133 I GET IT AND I UNDERSTAND IT AND 45:14.133 --> 45:17.467 I'VE SEEN IT AND THE FUNDING IS 45:17.467 --> 45:19.200 VERY CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT. 45:19.200 --> 45:20.533 THEY ARE ALL CITIZENS OF THIS 45:20.533 --> 45:23.633 STATE AND MANY OF THEM -- THEIR 45:23.633 --> 45:25.533 PARENTS AND THE CAREGIVERS HAVE 45:25.533 --> 45:27.833 PAID THEIR DUES TO RECEIVE THAT 45:27.833 --> 45:29.167 TYPE OF SERVICE SO I UNDERSTAND 45:29.167 --> 45:32.167 AND I COMPLETELY GET IT AND WORK 45:32.167 --> 45:33.900 VERY, VERY HARD IN TRYING TO GET 45:33.900 --> 45:35.167 THE FUNDS FOR IT. 45:35.167 --> 45:37.200 >> YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING THE 45:37.200 --> 45:39.033 LEGISLATURE IN ACTION FOR SO 45:39.033 --> 45:41.867 MANY YEARS AND THERE'S ALL TYPES 45:41.867 --> 45:43.333 OF LOBBYIST THAT COME. 45:43.333 --> 45:45.200 THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DIFFERENT 45:45.200 --> 45:46.767 KIND OF LOBBYING GROUP AND 45:46.767 --> 45:49.200 WHAT'S YOUR PERCEPTION OF HOW 45:49.200 --> 45:50.233 IMPACTFUL THEY ARE? 45:50.233 --> 45:53.600 AND EXPLAIN TO OTHERS WHAT IT'S 45:53.600 --> 45:55.667 LIKE EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY COME 45:55.667 --> 45:57.333 IN, IN FAVOR OF THE WAIVERS? 45:57.333 --> 45:59.000 >> WHAT YOU HAVE EVERY YEAR 45:59.000 --> 46:01.967 DURING THE APPROPRIATIONS AND 46:01.967 --> 46:04.000 SENATE FINANCE PROCESS, YOU SEE 46:04.000 --> 46:06.267 A LOT OF FAMILY MEMBERS WITH 46:06.267 --> 46:07.833 PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO 46:07.833 --> 46:09.533 SHOW UP IN YELLOW SHIRTS. 46:09.533 --> 46:11.633 YOU WILL SEE THEM PACK COMMITTEE 46:11.633 --> 46:12.000 ROOMS. 46:12.000 --> 46:13.533 THIS ROOM, YOU SAW DIFFERENT 46:13.533 --> 46:15.500 KINDS OF SHIRTS BECAUSE SO MANY 46:15.500 --> 46:19.367 PEOPLE WERE FACING BUDGET CUTS. 46:19.367 --> 46:25.133 THEY WILL BUTTON HOLE 46:25.133 --> 46:25.600 LEGISLATURES. 46:25.600 --> 46:28.767 I'M SURE SENATOR LAFLEUR HAS HAD 46:28.767 --> 46:30.367 THAT HAPPEN AND WHITE. 46:30.367 --> 46:33.967 THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME 46:33.967 --> 46:35.267 ADVOCATING FOR DISABILITIES 46:35.267 --> 46:35.600 SERVICES. 46:35.600 --> 46:37.733 YOU HAVE SEEN, IN THESE THREE 46:37.733 --> 46:39.333 SESSIONS, YOU HAD FOLKS WHO 46:39.333 --> 46:41.700 SHOWED UP IN EVERY TAX COMMITTEE 46:41.700 --> 46:44.833 HEARING TO PITCH THAT MONEY WAS 46:44.833 --> 46:46.333 NEEDED TO BE RAISED TO HELP THEM 46:46.333 --> 46:48.367 COVER THEIR SERVICES. 46:48.367 --> 46:51.300 ALSO, YOU JUST -- THE TESTIMONY 46:51.300 --> 46:53.567 IS SO EMOTIONAL AND PEOPLE HAVE 46:53.567 --> 46:57.900 SUCH PERSONAL AND REAL STORIES 46:57.900 --> 47:02.733 AND PARTICULARLY IN SENATOR 47:02.733 --> 47:03.933 LAFLEUR'S PLACE, THERE WERE 47:03.933 --> 47:05.633 PEOPLE CRYING LISTENING TO THE 47:05.633 --> 47:07.700 TESTIMONY OF THE PARENTS AND 47:07.700 --> 47:10.367 SIBLINGS AND GROWN UPS WHO CAN'T 47:10.367 --> 47:12.567 SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES IN SOME 47:12.567 --> 47:14.333 INSTANCES AND NEED HELP FROM THE 47:14.333 --> 47:15.433 STATE IN SOME FASHION. 47:15.433 --> 47:18.533 IT WAS IMPACTFUL IN THE LEVEL OF 47:18.533 --> 47:20.600 THE WAIVER PROGRAMS AND THEY 47:20.600 --> 47:21.233 DIDN'T GET CUT. 47:21.233 --> 47:23.067 THEY WERE REALLY THREATENED WITH 47:23.067 --> 47:24.300 CUTS FOR QUITE A LONG TIME. 47:24.300 --> 47:26.233 SO IT CLEARLY MADE A DIFFERENCE 47:26.233 --> 47:28.600 TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE HERE EVERY 47:28.600 --> 47:28.900 YEAR. 47:28.900 --> 47:32.867 BUT IT IS JUST KIND OF A 47:32.867 --> 47:34.200 COMMENTARY ON THE 47:34.200 --> 47:35.200 [INDISCERNIBLE] OF THE LOUISIANA 47:35.200 --> 47:36.667 BUDGET PROCESS FROM YEAR TO 47:36.667 --> 47:36.967 YEAR. 47:36.967 --> 47:39.200 THESE FOLKS IN THESE YELLOW 47:39.200 --> 47:41.900 SHIRTS ARE SO WELL-KNOWN BECAUSE 47:41.900 --> 47:43.633 UP YEAR AFTER 47:43.633 --> 47:45.200 YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THEIR 47:45.200 --> 47:47.533 SERVICES ARE NEVER PROTECTED. 47:47.533 --> 47:50.700 >> SENATOR LAFLEUR, HAVE WE SEEN 47:50.700 --> 47:53.200 MORE LOBBYISTS OVER THE YEARS? 47:53.200 --> 47:55.700 >> YOU'LL SEE MORE LOBBYISTS 47:55.700 --> 47:57.833 NEXT YEAR. 47:57.833 --> 47:59.567 EVERYBODY IS GOING TO BE 47:59.567 --> 48:00.867 AFFECTED BY ANY TAX WE'RE GOING 48:00.867 --> 48:03.133 TO BRING, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE 48:03.133 --> 48:03.533 THERE TO. 48:03.533 --> 48:06.400 >> EVERY TAX, EVERY EXEMPTION, 48:06.400 --> 48:07.133 EVERY CREDIT. 48:07.133 --> 48:10.133 >> THE PROBLEM WITH TAXES, 48:10.133 --> 48:12.300 POLITICIANS, THEY'RE ALSO 48:12.300 --> 48:14.033 RATIONAL THINKERS, TOO, AND THEY 48:14.033 --> 48:17.967 LIKE TO TAKE THE PATH OF LEAST 48:17.967 --> 48:18.367 RESISTANCE. 48:18.367 --> 48:21.467 YOU HAVE TO TAKE DIFFICULT VOTES 48:21.467 --> 48:23.500 THEY REQUIRE YOU TO DO MORE. 48:23.500 --> 48:27.133 YOU HAVE TO GO TO EVERY CHAMBER 48:27.133 --> 48:28.400 MEETING, ROTARY CLUB MEETING SO 48:28.400 --> 48:31.133 YOU CAN EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE 48:31.133 --> 48:36.400 BEHIND THAT VOTE YOU CAN GET THE 48:36.400 --> 48:36.767 SUPPORT. 48:36.767 --> 48:38.867 IT REQUIRES A LOT, A LOT OF WORK 48:38.867 --> 48:40.433 BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE THE 48:40.433 --> 48:40.767 PUBLIC. 48:40.767 --> 48:42.300 YOU HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT 48:42.300 --> 48:43.367 YOU'RE DOING AND WHY YOU'RE 48:43.367 --> 48:44.233 DOING IT. 48:44.233 --> 48:45.767 SO IF YOU ARE -- THE GUYS WITH 48:45.767 --> 48:47.400 THE YELLOW SHIRTS, YOU DON'T 48:47.400 --> 48:48.933 KNOW WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE UNLESS 48:48.933 --> 48:52.000 YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE A CHILD 48:52.000 --> 48:52.800 [INDISCERNIBLE] DISABLED FOR 48:52.800 --> 48:54.667 SOME REASON AND REQUIRES THIS 48:54.667 --> 48:55.800 EXTRA ATTENTION. 48:55.800 --> 48:57.867 ONCE THAT GETS TO THE 48:57.867 --> 48:59.500 LEGISLATURES, THEY TEND TO THINK 48:59.500 --> 49:00.067 DIFFERENTLY. 49:00.067 --> 49:01.467 IT'S THE SAME THING WITH TAXES. 49:01.467 --> 49:03.800 YOU HAVE TO MAKE PEOPLE THINK 49:03.800 --> 49:04.900 DIFFERENTLY ON WHAT YOU'RE 49:04.900 --> 49:06.700 VOTING ON BECAUSE THEY THINK OF 49:06.700 --> 49:10.600 IT AS TAX AND DON'T UNDERSTAND 49:10.600 --> 49:12.633 THE RATIONALE. 49:12.633 --> 49:13.600 POLITICIANS WHO ARE TRYING TO 49:13.600 --> 49:15.800 MAKE A DIFFERENCE WILL GO HOME 49:15.800 --> 49:18.800 AND TRY TO EXPLAIN THEMSELVES 49:18.800 --> 49:21.300 AND RATIONALE AND FIND THE 49:21.300 --> 49:21.667 SUPPORT. 49:21.667 --> 49:23.200 >> OUR MOST RATIONAL 49:23.200 --> 49:25.300 REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS PANEL, 49:25.300 --> 49:26.200 REPRESENTATIVE WHITE, WHAT DO 49:26.200 --> 49:26.900 YOU THINK? 49:26.900 --> 49:29.200 >> THAT'S WHAT I WITNESSED THIS 49:29.200 --> 49:29.500 YEAR. 49:29.500 --> 49:32.467 IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO 49:32.467 --> 49:35.067 MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS. 49:35.067 --> 49:36.633 IT'S ALSO SELF-IMPOSED. 49:36.633 --> 49:38.733 I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL 49:38.733 --> 49:40.633 THAT AS A POLITICIAN, THAT THIS 49:40.633 --> 49:43.267 DOESN'T IMPACT YOU AS WELL 49:43.267 --> 49:45.767 FINANCIALLY AND IT DOES, AS A 49:45.767 --> 49:47.067 BUSINESS OWNER, IT DOES. 49:47.067 --> 49:49.533 YET AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE 49:49.533 --> 49:51.267 TO REALIZE THAT YOU WANT AND 49:51.267 --> 49:52.733 NEED THESE SERVICES AND THEY 49:52.733 --> 49:55.067 MUST BE FUNDED AND THEN YOU HEAR 49:55.067 --> 49:57.400 ABOUT FRAUD AND FRAUDULENT -- 49:57.400 --> 49:58.733 FRIVOLOUS SPENDING AND THINGS 49:58.733 --> 50:01.033 LIKE THAT AND YET WE STILL HAVE 50:01.033 --> 50:02.467 TO WORK HARD AT FOLLOWING THAT 50:02.467 --> 50:04.200 AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE 50:04.200 --> 50:05.367 WEEDING OUT THOSE THINGS. 50:05.367 --> 50:07.000 THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. 50:07.000 --> 50:09.767 THE WORKINGS OF CONARTISTS ARE 50:09.767 --> 50:12.033 NOT SO EASILY UNRAVELED. 50:12.033 --> 50:14.300 THE COURAGE THAT IT TAKES TO DO 50:14.300 --> 50:18.067 THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WAS 50:18.067 --> 50:21.167 VERY SURPRISED BY THIS YEAR. 50:21.167 --> 50:24.067 I WILL SAY, GO ON RECORD IN 50:24.067 --> 50:28.833 SAYING THAT I WAS ELECTED TO 50:28.833 --> 50:30.700 SERVE THESE FOUR YEARS. 50:30.700 --> 50:32.700 I'VE BEEN CALLED A FOOL NOT TO 50:32.700 --> 50:34.500 LOOK AT REELECTION. 50:34.500 --> 50:38.067 I FEEL LIKE IF WE PULL TOGETHER 50:38.067 --> 50:39.700 INDEPENDENTLY AND UNITE IN WHAT 50:39.700 --> 50:41.700 WE DO AND WE CAN REALLY FIX THE 50:41.700 --> 50:43.167 PROBLEMS OF LOUISIANA AND BRING 50:43.167 --> 50:45.300 US UP TO THE LEVEL THAT WE'RE 50:45.300 --> 50:47.633 NOT AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL STATE 50:47.633 --> 50:49.767 RECORDS OF COMPARISONS, THEN I 50:49.767 --> 50:50.967 BELIEVE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO 50:50.967 --> 50:53.567 WORRY ABOUT OUR SUNSET DATES. 50:53.567 --> 50:55.667 I BELIEVE WE WILL BE RE-ELECTED 50:55.667 --> 50:57.767 AND DO THINGS THAT ARE RIGHT FOR 50:57.767 --> 50:59.533 THE PEOPLE AS A WHOLE. 50:59.533 --> 51:01.700 THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT AS A 51:01.700 --> 51:04.233 FRESHMAN AND I PRAY I CONTINUE 51:04.233 --> 51:05.567 TO LEAD THAT WAY. 51:05.567 --> 51:07.733 >> YOU'RE STILL ENCOURAGING AND 51:07.733 --> 51:08.800 I LIKE TO HEAR THAT. 51:08.800 --> 51:12.000 ONE OF OUR STUDENTS, TAYLOR, HAD 51:12.000 --> 51:13.333 A QUESTION ABOUT VALUES AND HOW 51:13.333 --> 51:15.000 YOU MAKE DECISIONS. 51:15.000 --> 51:15.333 TAYLOR? 51:15.333 --> 51:16.867 >> HI. 51:16.867 --> 51:20.167 I WAS WONDERING WHICH ITEMS WERE 51:20.167 --> 51:21.667 PUT AT PRIORITY WHEN DECIDING 51:21.667 --> 51:24.467 WHAT MONEY GOES WHERE WITH THE 51:24.467 --> 51:25.467 BUDGET THIS YEAR? 51:25.467 --> 51:28.333 >> I CAN ANSWER THAT FOR MYSELF. 51:28.333 --> 51:30.800 I HAVE A PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN 51:30.800 --> 51:34.267 MY DISTRICT AND A RURAL HOSPITAL 51:34.267 --> 51:35.767 AND THAT IS IT. 51:35.767 --> 51:37.900 SO WHEN IT CAME TO THE DECISION 51:37.900 --> 51:41.500 BETWEEN FUNDING "TOPS" FULLY AND 51:41.500 --> 51:43.000 FUNDING THE HOSPITALS, I WILL 51:43.000 --> 51:45.167 TELL YOU THE EXAMPLE I USE MANY, 51:45.167 --> 51:46.200 MANY TIMES. 51:46.200 --> 51:48.100 IF ANY LEGISLATURE CAME THROUGH 51:48.100 --> 51:50.733 MY AREA OR ANYONE CAME UP ON A 51:50.733 --> 51:54.367 CAR ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG PERSON 51:54.367 --> 51:57.200 INVOLVED, YOU WOULD NOT THROW 51:57.200 --> 51:59.500 $1,000 BILL AT THAT STUDENT AND 51:59.500 --> 52:01.233 SAY, GOOD LUCK AT COLLEGE. 52:01.233 --> 52:04.833 YOU WOULD GET THEM TO THE 52:04.833 --> 52:05.200 HOSPITAL. 52:05.200 --> 52:07.700 IF IT WAS -- THEY HAVE TAKEN 52:07.700 --> 52:09.033 LOSSES IN THE PAST. 52:09.033 --> 52:11.400 THEY WOULD MEANT AN HOUR, TWO 52:11.400 --> 52:14.933 AND A HALF HOURS DEPENDING ON IF 52:14.933 --> 52:15.933 YOU'RE INSURED OR NOT. 52:15.933 --> 52:18.500 IT WAS A MATTER OF LIFE OVER 52:18.500 --> 52:19.400 DEATH FOR ME. 52:19.400 --> 52:21.933 I TAKE EDUCATION VERY HIGHLY AND 52:21.933 --> 52:24.133 SUPPORT OF IT, WE HAVE TO 52:24.133 --> 52:25.933 DELIVER OUR BABIES AND KEEP THEM 52:25.933 --> 52:28.333 HEALTHY TO GET TO COLLEGE SO TOP 52:28.333 --> 52:29.400 PRIORITY WAS OUR HOSPITALS. 52:29.400 --> 52:32.467 >> TAYLOR, THAT'S A GREAT 52:32.467 --> 52:32.933 QUESTION. 52:32.933 --> 52:33.933 APPRECIATE IT. 52:33.933 --> 52:36.733 THE GENTLEMAN NEXT TO YOU, 52:36.733 --> 52:38.300 SCOTT, IS A REGULAR FOR 52:38.300 --> 52:39.433 SUPPORTING SCHOOLS AND 52:39.433 --> 52:41.600 WELL-KNOWN TO SOME OF THE FOLKS 52:41.600 --> 52:42.433 HERE. 52:42.433 --> 52:43.467 SCOTT, YOU HAD A QUESTION. 52:43.467 --> 52:45.933 >> AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S 52:45.933 --> 52:48.200 ABOUT DECIDING NEEDS VERSUS 52:48.200 --> 52:50.033 WANTS AND PRIORITIZING 52:50.033 --> 52:53.133 OBLIGATIONS AND CERTAINLY THE 52:53.133 --> 52:57.200 BEST INVESTMENT THE LEGISLATURE 52:57.200 --> 52:59.333 CAN MAKE IS K-12 EDUCATION 52:59.333 --> 53:00.900 SHOULD BE A PRIORITY AND 53:00.900 --> 53:02.567 UNFORTUNATELY IT DIDN'T RECEIVE 53:02.567 --> 53:05.100 THE SAME LEVEL OF FUNDING AS IT 53:05.100 --> 53:06.733 HAS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR. 53:06.733 --> 53:10.600 BUT WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE 53:10.600 --> 53:11.567 MECHANISMS IN PLACE WITH TASK 53:11.567 --> 53:15.467 FORCE COMMUNITIES ON A NUMBER OF 53:15.467 --> 53:17.300 VARIOUS TOPICS CAN BRING SOME 53:17.300 --> 53:18.733 RATIONAL SOLUTIONS THAT WILL 53:18.733 --> 53:23.067 BRING THE STAKEHOLDERS TO THE 53:23.067 --> 53:25.400 TABLE AND THE RED AND BLUE AND 53:25.400 --> 53:28.200 BASED ON THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS 53:28.200 --> 53:31.167 OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAN 53:31.167 --> 53:32.467 DISSIPATE AND MORE RATIONAL 53:32.467 --> 53:34.100 THOUGHT CAN COME TO THE TABLE. 53:34.100 --> 53:37.433 WE WOULD HOPE TO SEE THE PUBLIC 53:37.433 --> 53:38.867 EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY, AS LONG 53:38.867 --> 53:40.733 AS SEVERAL OF THE OTHER TOPICS 53:40.733 --> 53:42.067 MENTIONED HERE TODAY. 53:42.067 --> 53:44.700 THE MAIN QUESTION, K-12 53:44.700 --> 53:46.467 EDUCATORS AND PARENT WANT TO 53:46.467 --> 53:48.900 KNOW IS WHY WASN'T K-12 FULLY 53:48.900 --> 53:50.700 FUNDED OR MAINTAINED AT THE SAME 53:50.700 --> 53:51.533 LEVEL FROM LAST YEAR. 53:51.533 --> 53:55.100 >> HOW ABOUT SENATOR LAFLEUR? 53:55.100 --> 53:57.333 >> IMPORTANT PART OF THE BUDGET, 53:57.333 --> 53:59.533 IT EATS UP MORE MONEY THAN ANY 53:59.533 --> 54:01.000 OTHER ITEM. 54:01.000 --> 54:04.100 IT IS $3.6 BILLION. 54:04.100 --> 54:09.033 THE CUTS IMPOSED WAS A SMALL 54:09.033 --> 54:09.400 AMOUNT. 54:09.400 --> 54:12.233 IT WAS LESS THAN 1/10 OF 1%. 54:12.233 --> 54:14.200 IT WAS NOT THE DOLLARS THAT WERE 54:14.200 --> 54:17.233 CUT, IT WAS THE SYMBOLISM BEHIND 54:17.233 --> 54:18.867 US NOT FULLY FUNDING IT. 54:18.867 --> 54:22.233 WHEN YOU TELL ANY SCHOOL BOARD 54:22.233 --> 54:25.800 THAT WE CUT $40 MILLION OUT OF 54:25.800 --> 54:28.067 K-12 EDUCATION, THAT'S A BIG 54:28.067 --> 54:28.433 NUMBER. 54:28.433 --> 54:32.000 IN THE BIG PICTURE, IT'S A SMALL 54:32.000 --> 54:33.167 NUMBER. 54:33.167 --> 54:34.533 SYMBOLICALLY, IT'S A 54:34.533 --> 54:36.067 REPRESENTATIVE THAT OUR 54:36.067 --> 54:36.967 PRIORITIES ARE NOT VERY HIGH. 54:36.967 --> 54:41.333 >> THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE 54:41.333 --> 54:41.900 SEEN THAT HAPPEN. 54:41.900 --> 54:43.700 >> REBECCA, YOU'RE GOING TO GET 54:43.700 --> 54:44.267 THE LAST QUESTION. 54:44.267 --> 54:46.167 >> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD 54:46.167 --> 54:48.033 BE WONDERING, MOVING FORWARD 54:48.033 --> 54:50.700 WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 54:50.700 --> 54:52.100 STABILIZING THE BUDGET AND 54:52.100 --> 54:55.800 REFORMS COMING NEXT YEAR, WHY 54:55.800 --> 55:01.100 SHOULD PEOPLE BE OPTIMISTIC? 55:01.100 --> 55:04.233 THERE'S BEEN A CLIFF EVERY YEAR 55:04.233 --> 55:07.167 AND YOU HAD OPPORTUNITIES EVERY 55:07.167 --> 55:07.467 YEAR. 55:07.467 --> 55:09.333 >> WE [INDISCERNIBLE] AND THAT 55:09.333 --> 55:13.167 BASICALLY SET US ON COURSE FOR 55:13.167 --> 55:14.133 NON-RECURRING REVENUE WITH A 55:14.133 --> 55:15.067 SMALL GROWTH EVERY YEAR. 55:15.067 --> 55:19.400 THE FACT OF THE MATTER WAS, THE 55:19.400 --> 55:21.867 REVENUE INCREASED IN TOO LARGE A 55:21.867 --> 55:26.500 NUMBER, I DON'T THINK IT WAS ALL 55:26.500 --> 55:27.367 ATTRIBUTABLE TO 55:27.367 --> 55:29.633 [INDISCERNIBLE] -- 55:29.633 --> 55:35.567 >> AGAIN, OPTIMISM, I THINK, 55:35.567 --> 55:36.300 REALISTICALLY, YES, THE 55:36.300 --> 55:38.967 RESOLUTION THAT CREATED THE TASK 55:38.967 --> 55:41.833 FORCE FOR STRUCTURAL REFORM WAS 55:41.833 --> 55:44.533 OPTED BY A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, 55:44.533 --> 55:46.467 REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND 55:46.467 --> 55:49.033 THEY ALL APPRECIATE THAT IT'S 55:49.033 --> 55:50.633 GOING TO MAKE HARD DECISIONS 55:50.633 --> 55:54.433 THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO MAKE. 55:54.433 --> 55:56.000 NOW, WILL THEY -- WILL THEY BE 55:56.000 --> 55:56.700 UP TO IT? 55:56.700 --> 55:58.767 I THINK THEY'LL DOING THEIR VERY 55:58.767 --> 56:02.000 BEST SO I'M OPTIMISTIC FROM THAT 56:02.000 --> 56:03.233 PERSPECTI 56:03.233 --> 56:03.667 PERSPECTIVE. 56:03.667 --> 56:05.900 DO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE 56:05.900 --> 56:06.767 EASY? 56:06.767 --> 56:08.233 NO, I DO NOT. 56:08.233 --> 56:13.233 >> WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR OUR 56:13.233 --> 56:15.133 QUESTION AND ANSWER PORTION. 56:15.133 --> 56:17.000 WE'D LIKE TO THANK OUR PANELISTS 56:17.000 --> 56:23.067 FOR YOUR INSIGHT ON THIS MONTH'S 56:23.067 --> 56:23.400 TOPIC. 56:23.400 --> 56:25.567 >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, WE'LL 56:25.567 --> 56:27.367 HAVE A FEW CLOSING COMMENTS. 56:31.933 --> 56:34.067 >>> ROBERT, WE GET DOWN TO NO 56:34.067 --> 56:36.333 ONE REALLY WANTS TAXES, 56:36.333 --> 56:37.433 DIFFICULT CHOICES COMING UP IN 56:37.433 --> 56:40.300 THE FUTURE AND I GUESS, IT WAS 56:40.300 --> 56:42.367 INTERESTING THAT [INDISCERNIBLE] 56:42.367 --> 56:46.433 WAS PASSED BY THE PEOPLE OF 56:46.433 --> 56:48.333 LOUISIANA AND TURNED OVER SO 56:48.333 --> 56:48.700 QUICKLY. 56:48.700 --> 56:50.267 WE HAD ADDITIONAL REVENUE 56:50.267 --> 56:51.667 FOLLOWING ALL THE HURRICANES. 56:51.667 --> 56:53.867 WE DON'T KNOW WHAT DISASTERS ARE 56:53.867 --> 56:54.933 GOING TO BEFALL. 56:54.933 --> 56:56.800 >> IT HAD A LONG-TERM IMPACT. 56:56.800 --> 56:57.433 BUT NOW LOOK. 56:57.433 --> 56:59.333 AFTER EVERYTHING THE 56:59.333 --> 57:00.800 LEGISLATURES HAVE BEEN THROUGH, 57:00.800 --> 57:02.300 THEY'RE OPTIMISTIC. 57:02.300 --> 57:03.600 THEY KNOW IT'S TOUGH BUT THEY 57:03.600 --> 57:04.700 WERE ENCOURAGING. 57:04.700 --> 57:05.900 AT LEAST WE HAVE THAT GOING. 57:05.900 --> 57:07.967 >> WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO 57:07.967 --> 57:08.867 DR. RICHARDSON AND YOUR TASK 57:08.867 --> 57:13.000 FORCE THAT YOU'RE ON, AS WELL. 57:13.000 --> 57:15.933 >> COME UP WITH ANSWERS. 57:15.933 --> 57:17.767 >>> THAT ALL THE TIME WE HAVE 57:17.767 --> 57:19.067 FOR "LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE." 57:19.067 --> 57:20.767 WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR 57:20.767 --> 57:22.100 WEBSITE AT LPB.ORG/PUBLICSQUARE. 57:22.100 --> 57:23.200 WHILE YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE 57:23.200 --> 57:26.100 COMMENT ON TONIGHT'S SHOW. 57:26.100 --> 57:28.133 WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. 57:28.133 --> 57:31.867 >>> ON NEXT MONTH'S "LOUISIANA 57:31.867 --> 57:33.300 PUBLIC SQUARE," WE'LL TALK ABOUT 57:33.300 --> 57:36.700 THE UNREST SPARKED BY THE DEATH 57:36.700 --> 57:37.967 OF ALTON STERLING. 57:37.967 --> 57:41.767 HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERACTS 57:41.767 --> 57:43.267 WITH MINORITIES. 57:43.267 --> 57:45.833 TUNE IN ON AUGUST 15. 57:45.833 --> 58:16.700 >>> GOOD NIGHT, EVERYONE. 58:16.700 --> 58:18.700 >>> FOR A COPY OF THIS PROGRAM, 58:18.700 --> 58:29.967 CALL 1-800LIFE 973-7246 OR GO TO 58:29.967 --> 58:30.433 WWW.LPB.ORG. 58:30.433 --> 58:33.567 >>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS 58:33.567 --> 58:36.800 PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION FOR 58:36.800 --> 58:40.000 EXCELLENCE AND THE LOUISIANA 58:40.000 --> 58:41.667 PUBLIC BROADCASTING AND FROM 58:41.667 --> 58:46.133 VIEWERS LIKE YOU.