Waiting on the money copters

One thing about the flood is it might actually help with the budget a bit.  That will depend on the size and type of discretionary aid that becomes available. (The Governor is expected to make a specific CDBG ask soon.) But, in the meantime, it's probably a good idea to wait on the rest of this planning.

The group tasked with crafting a long-range plan for stabilizing Louisiana's turbulent state finances says it needs a little more time in light of catastrophic flooding that swept across Louisiana earlier this month.

The Task Force on Structural Changes in Budget and Tax Policy was scheduled to have a final recommendation ready for lawmakers by Thursday. But this week its members asked legislative leaders to extend that deadline to the end of September.

It would be a mistake, though, to allow a sudden infusion of one time money to put the committee off its task of fundamental budget reforms.  Next year, the legislature should have to consider a more progressive tax structure with fewer special privileges carved out.  What a shame it would be if they find an excuse to not go as far as they should with that.