EDITORIAL: It's time for Louisiana to pay the price
The Town Talk (excerpt)

Today will bring the formal release of Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposed budget for 2011-12.

By all rights, it should do several things. It should: Be balanced, as required by law. Use recurring revenue to pay for recurring expenses. Show a genuine net reduction in total spending for the fiscal year starting July 1. Show a genuine net reduction in the number of state employees and the total state payroll. Fund the state's priority responsibilities at the appropriate levels, and decrease funding for lower priorities. Take a bold position by focusing spending and taking a longer, responsible fiscal view.

That is asking a lot, but it is not asking too much. The taxpayers expect this. The solution is to rein in spending, to set a course that requires living within our means, and to budget tax dollars in the areas that are vital to the safety, protection and future of the state. It's time for Louisiana to pay the price to make things right.