Letter: Legislature Disingenuous About Cuts (What Are Their True Priorities?)
by Howard Franques Jr. - Advocate (excerpt)

The majority of the state lawmakers continue to insist that their “hands are tied” by the state constitution, and therefore they can do nothing to save the state universities from massive budget cuts. In contrast to the lawmakers’ assertions, pundits in the print and electronic media have pointed out for months that during the current session the Legislature could, with two simple majority votes, amend existing law to allow an additional 5 percent cut in the statutorily dedicated funds. In addition, an experienced lawyer who doubles as a political blogger has suggested novel, legal ways that the rainy-day fund and the megafund could be used to help the universities.

Having ignored reasonable, legal solutions to the problem, and after finding $150 million for a chicken plant and a pro football team, legislators, with the acquiescence of Gov. Bobby Jindal, continue to claim that $150 million can’t be found to save the universities from budget reductions that will reverse the great leaps forward made during the Foster and Blanco administrations.

There is something wrong with a state that prioritizes a poultry plant and a pro sports franchise owned by a Texas billionaire over quality universities. To paraphrase Shakespeare, the fault in Louisiana is not in our stars but in our state legislators.