VP Rotary hears update from Representative LeBas

By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor

March 29, Meeting
Rotarian Nick LeBas invited his father, State Representative Bernard LeBas, to address the March 29, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club to give an update on the current legislative session in Baton Rouge.
LeBas noted the legislature met in a special session prior to the regular session in order to try and balance the state’s budget deficit of $750 million before the end of the fiscal year on June 30. He said a one cent sales tax was approved for the next 27 months to help make up the large deficit within the next few months.
LeBas stated that during the current session, the legislature found the state still has a short fall of $70 million to balance the budget. He stated that Governor John Bel Edwards has said he will not approve any further cuts to higher education. As a result, most of the new cuts will have to come from health care. Another way the legislature is working to alleviate the budget short fall, LeBas said, is reviewing the nearly 200 tax exemptions granted to various organizations, companies and consulting contracts.
Another area of concern discussed by LeBas was the Tops program, which assists students in paying for their college education. The program was slashed by 20 percent this year, and rather than passing on the costs to the students, the colleges are absorbing the costs. LeBas noted the Tops funding will be not be able to be maintained with the current formula. As a result, state legislators are looking at various options, such as raising the minimum ACT score required and repayment should students not “make the grade.” This will encourage students to work harder to earn and deserve the Tops funds
LeBas also said lawmakers are trying to work together across party lines to help alleviate the state’s budget crisis and noted no cuts to local services such as the park, health unit and DMV should be seen in the near future.
In closing, LeBas said that another special session will be held in June/July to continue dealing with the state’s fiscal issues.
In other business, President Mitch Fontenot announced that Sophie Gil and Mary Margaret Gil, students at Sacred Heart High School and the daughters of Rotarian Eric Gil and his wife Nicole, were selected to attend Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award). He also said that a clean up day at the Native Plant Heritage Garden is set for April 23, Rotarians and members of the Sacred Heart Interact Club will lead the project. It was announced that the annual installation of officers banquet will be held on June 14.