Governor John Bel Edward’s worst-case-scenario budget is making waves across the state, from both inside, and outside of government. The budget is the result of the expiration of a billion dollars in sales taxes this summer, and Edwards says the revenue will need to be replaced to avoid the deep cuts. State Treasurer John Schroder says he doesn’t think the public is willing to pay more taxes.
Schroder says if the state was more transparent about how it spends money, then it wouldn’t have to turn so often to tax increases.
Schroder is pushing a plan to have state agencies post their expenditures online.
The governor’s proposal to fill the billion dollar gap leans heavily on eliminating tax breaks for businesses. President of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Stephen Waguespack, says Edwards refuses to consider spending cuts.
Waguespack says the governor is using scare tactics to push through his legislative agenda.
The state has until July 1st to address the fiscal cliff.