Budget Day

The traditional kickoff to Carnival may come on January 6, but lately it feels like the season doesn't really get into swing until the Governor releases his annual Doomsday Budget proposal.

"There's not a single cut that we will propose that we want to implement," Edwards, a Democrat, told The Advocate editorial board on Friday. "We don't want those cuts made."

Near elimination of the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students college scholarships, defunding safety net hospitals and layoffs are among some of the most drastic measures that Edwards will reveal.

"It's stark," he said.

Edwards said he hopes that it emphasizes the urgency of addressing the "fiscal cliff" the state faces when temporary tax measures, including a sales tax hike, expire July 1.

The Legislature has had several opportunities to avoid this situation in recent years but a conservative caucus has refused to take on the fiscal reforms necessary to put the state on a more sound footing. Thanks to this fiscal cliff situation, they've helped conjure through their own stubbornness, Republicans now have a choice of either dramatically reversing course now or running in next year's elections against "The Governor Who Killed TOPS" as they will undoubtedly frame it.

It's the same set of incentives that has worked against the Governor in every session since he's been in office so it's difficult to imagine how it will go any different this time.  Once again his only recourse is to make threaten to make the Legislature work during Mardi Gras, which he will probably have to do this year anyway.

Edwards wants to call a special session in February, before the regular session begins March 12, to address the budget. Lawmakers cannot take up most revenue measures in even-numbered years.

"I'm not going to have a special session for the sake of having one," he said.

 Hope everyone is ready to party.