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F r i d ay, F e b r u a ry 21, 2025
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Landry proposes ‘standstill’ budget
Uncertainty about revenue clouds situation BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN and PATRICK WALL
tion as it prepares its budget for the next fiscal year. “We normally know how much Staff writer we have to spend right now, and As President Donald Trump’s we don’t, and we won’t until May, administration considers slashing said Taylor Barras, the commisfederal funding, and as Louisiana sioner of administration and Gov. waits to see if voters will approve Jeff Landry’s top budget official. a constitutional amendment to Though it’s normal for the rewrite the tax code, uncertainty state’s revenue forecast to change clouds the state’s financial situa- through the spring, the added wild
cards could spell a tumultuous regular session for legislators, who must set the state budget by June. But for now, Landry’s administration has proposed what it calls a “standstill” budget, keeping state spending as close to last year’s levels as possible. Total spending — including state and federal funds — would hover around $45 billion, decreasing by about 1%.
State spending would decrease from about $23.3 billion to about $22.2 billion, according to official estimates. In a video address released this week, Landry said the budget “continues the trend of decreasing the overall amount of money we spend” and is “a tremendous step forward for fiscal responsibility.” The proposal does not mean agencies across the board would have the same amount of money to spend as last year. Instead, some
agencies would see budget reductions, while others would see budget increases. The state has only so much discretion in determining how to use what’s in its coffers. By law, it must fund certain obligations, such as contractual payments and pay raises for civil service workers. Officials from the Division of Administration on Thursday presented
ä See BUDGET, page 5A
Trump eyes cuts to staff in disaster recovery Louisiana likely to see fallout in future funding BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer
A reported plan by the Trump administration to slash staff at the federal office that oversees longterm disaster recovery money may hold major implications for Louisiana, which has received the highest level of such funding in the nation over the past couple decades. The plan reported by The New York Times on Thursday could nearly eliminate the office that oversees that money, the Office of Community Planning and Development within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Staff there would be cut by 84%, going from a team of 936 to 150. If the plan is enacted, it is unclear how the billions that flow through the office would be distributed and
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
Since 2021, Louisiana has been allocated $21 billion through the federal long-term disaster recovery program to help residents in the aftermath of multiple natural disasters. ä See DISASTER, page 7A
Acadian Health targets ER ‘super-utilizers’ Service aims to treat conditions at home
Senate narrowly approves Trump loyalist despite concerns
BY ALENA MASCHKE Staff writer
Acadian Health, a division of Acadian Companies that provides home-based health services, is launching a pilot program designed to keep patients out of hospital emergency departments if their condition can be treated in a home environment. Approximately 20% of the state’s Medicaid patients visit local emergency rooms on average 17 times per year, making them “super-utilizers” in the Louisiana Department of Health’s lingo, often for non-life-threatening situations or due to social factors, such as a lack of transportation, according to recent data gathered by the Health Department’s Bureau of Health Services Financing. “We took a close look at emergency room use by ‘super-utilizers’ over a oneyear period and found opportunities to meet patient needs more effectively,” said Health Secretary Michael Harrington. “Through this project, we will increase access and simplify care delivery while helping hospital emergency
WEATHER HIGH 47 LOW 26 PAGE 10C
Patel confirmed as FBI director
BY ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
probably don’t have a primary care physician.” Or if they do, they don’t have a way of getting to their office. “Oftentimes, they have a lack of transportation. They have limited mobility.
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump’s bidding and go after the Republican president’s adversaries. “I cannot imagine a worse choice,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told colleagues before the 51-49 vote by the GOP-controlled Patel Senate. Sens. Susan Collins, of Maine; and Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, were the lone Republican holdouts. A Trump loyalist who has fiercely criticized the agency he will now lead, Patel will inherit an FBI gripped by turmoil as the Justice Department over the past month has forced out a group of
ä See ACADIAN, page 5A
ä See PATEL, page 7A
PHOTO PROVIDED By ACADIAN HEALTH
Acadian Health vehicles are less conspicuous than ambulances, a benefit for patients, said Acadian Health Director of Business Development Rob Burnell. rooms to remain highly flexible and accessible.” Many patients are “excessively using the ER, almost as a primary care clinic,” said Acadian Health Director of Business Development Rob Burnell. “Which kind of lets us know that they
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100TH yEAR, NO. 236