Special Session Addressing Budget - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

Special Session Addressing Budget

A Thibodaux lawmaker pushing a November special legislative session to challenge Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget-cutting decisions is running into opposition from the governor's allies who lead both the House and the Senate.  Rep. Jerome "Dee" Richard, an independent, has only a few weeks to gather the support he'd need to hold the special session after the Thanksgiving holiday.  In the proposal outlined, he's asking lawmakers to consider enacting new restrictions on Jindal's ability to privatize or close state-run health care facilities and prisons, and he's suggesting lawmakers revisit cuts that have been made.  Senate President John Alario and House Speaker Chuck Kleckley - Republicans who won their leadership jobs with Jindal's support - say Richard hasn't offered a clear, alternate plan and the session would waste taxpayer dollars.