Budget debate turns personal

A marathon debate over HB1 and whether the state should fully fund TOPS or safety-net hospitals devolved into loaded and sometimes personal interrogations Friday before the House passed the omnibus budget, 82-17.
The debate spanned more than 13 hours between Thursday and Friday. The often contentious measure now goes to the Senate.
A rift emerged over TOPS, the state’s popular tuition-paying program, and Department of Health and Hospitals, which funds the state’s partner hospitals for those who can’t afford health insurance.  Representatives, through an amendment by Monroe Democrat Katrina Jackson that passed late Thursday, ultimately sent more money to the hospitals and left TOPS $72 million underfunded.
Rep. Jay Morris, R-Monroe, citing the priorities of his district, proposed taking $36 million from DHH and putting it toward TOPS Friday. But other representatives, mostly those with safety-net hospitals in their districts, slammed Morris’ move as irresponsible.
“For every one of you in here who claims to be pro-life: This is the time to stand up and be pro-life,” Rep. Malinda White, D-Bogalusa, said to cheers from representatives.
“The blame is going to be on you (Morris) when people die,” said Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge.
Reps. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, and Walt Leger, D-New Orleans, noted the effects that cut would have on federal matching dollars. Some programs receive two federal dollars for each state dollar appropriated, so the $36 million cut to DHH would actually have been larger.
Morris said his amendment equitably spread cuts between DHH and TOPS, adding that the majority of his district supports it. “This is not an amendment to hurt people. It’s to be fair in the allocation of state dollars.”
That amendment failed, 42-57.
Representatives from the Louisiana civil service and higher education were also among the departments arguing for funding.  
Rep. Cedric Glover, D-Shreveport, brought an amendment to cut an additional $41 million from TOPS to fund the New Orleans and Shreveport LSU medical schools.
His amendment followed his line of questions to Dan Layzell, chief financial officer of the LSU System, who acknowledged the unique problems facing the Shreveport medical school stemming from privatization.
“(The budget crisis) is directly attributable to the public-private partnership” said Glover. “It is crippling the medical school.” He said his amendment was “important not only for the physical health, but the fiscal health of Louisiana.”
Appropriations chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, objected. “This would fully fund these groups,” he said. “Nobody is fully funded in the budget.”
Rep. Ted James, D-Baton Rouge, offered a $2 million amendment to take money from the state’s voucher program and give it to Go Grants, a program that provides money to students pursuing higher education but who have a serious financial need. James said the state over-funds the voucher program every year.
Education Committee chairwoman Nancy Landry, R-Lafayette, argued for the voucher program, saying it has saved state $24 million dollars. She said the voucher program outpaces much of the rest of the state
Landry noted that 93 percent of the people participating are satisfied with their schools. “Please don’t take it from the voucher program.” Landry refused to answer questions about her defense of the program.
James’ amendment failed, 35-58.
Rep. Sam Jones, a Franklin Democrat, who battled against some of Henry’s amendments in HB1, mended fences with Henry after debate.
“I just wanted you to know I’m supporting you,” Jones said.
“There’s a first time for everything,” Henry replied.
Senate Finance Committee members have been hearing testimony from department heads on the budget, and will take up HB1 next week.