Governor John Bel Edwards said the budget for the next fiscal year that his administration will present Friday will feature no cuts despite economic damage caused by the pandemic.
Governor Edwards said that’s because the state is still benefiting from the CARES Act and increased federal support for Medicaid.
“So we were able to balance the budget, we are not proposing cuts. This is some hopeful and bright news in a period that frankly has not been so bright,” said Edwards.
The budget does not include the over 100 million dollars in loans the state owes the federal government due to the depletion of the unemployment insurance trust fund.
Edwards said they managed to find the money to increase funding for higher education and K-12 as well as a 400 dollar pay raise for teachers and 200 dollars for school support staff. TOPS will also see an increase in funding due to increased student eligibility for the program.
Edwards said the budget does not take into consideration any additional federal aid. Congressional Democrats proposed 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Plan includes 350 billion dollars in state aid plus additional funding for healthcare and education programs.
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