[StBernard] Governor Blanco signs state budget

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco signs state budget 


"Louisiana has endured massive destruction from two terrible storms. Recovery is about people, not politics. It is with this focus that I have reviewed and signed the 2006-07 state budget.

"This budget is larger than usual because it reflects the sizeable federal commitment to our state's recovery--$7.82 billion of the entire $26.7 billion budget. Without those very special and necessary federal dollars, our total budget of $18.9 billion is actually less than 1% growth over last year.

"The investment in Louisiana's restoration and revival is significant and noteworthy. While many of our coastal parishes are still struggling nearly a year after the storm, the rest of the parishes are serving as caretakers of their families and children. 

"I am satisfied that this budget makes continued investments in the revitalization of our economies, schools and health care systems.

"Long-term recovery can only happen with an investment in education. I'm proud to have made education my top priority and invested nearly $150 million for teachers, school support workers and college and university professors. Teachers all over Louisiana have played a tremendous role in our children's recovery from these storms. They have helped the state earn its place as number one in the nation for improving teacher quality, and our children's performance scores are improving yearly. They have worked hard and they have earned this raise.

"Louisiana will take care of its people. We have provided $139 million for an uncompensated care pool to help reimburse private and public community hospitals that provide care for uninsured patients. This is the first time significant funding has been provided to community hospitals in a decade. We added funding for more than 100 psychiatric beds to meet the demand for mental health services especially in the New Orleans area. That's on top of $80 million in federal social services block grant funds dispersed to address the state's post-hurricane behavioral health issues. 

"Louisiana is prepared to pay its obligations to FEMA. This budget sets aside $420 million to pay for our share of federal recovery costs. Louisiana is prepared for future disasters. We have put away $150 million to enable us to quickly prepare for and respond to emergencies anywhere in the state.

"Our hard-working people want some of their taxpayers' dollars to come home and fund services that their communities cannot. Elected officials at the local and state level often ask for assistance when their own resources are low.

"I reviewed this budget as a taxpayer and as a governor. I asked myself, do I believe taxpayer dollars should be spent to rebury the dead who were unearthed by Hurricane Rita? Yes, I do. Do I believe that taxpayer money is well spent on law enforcement protection for our small communities? Yes, I do. Do I believe that our money should be allocated to serve our children in after-school programs and our seniors in community centers? Absolutely.

"This funding, however, needs checks and balances. It needs increased accountability. I have issued an Executive Order putting accountability measures in place, requiring state departments to sign cooperative endeavor agreements with funded projects. I want the deliverables, and the names and functions of top level employees clearly stated in writing before funding is released. In the event that some projects are unable to fulfill their agreements, I fully expect my departments to withhold funding. Let me be clear. My signature is no guarantee that projects will be automatically funded. This executive order will extend to other executive branches of government that receive line item funding. Accountability for the taxpayer dollar rests with all levels of government." 

Please view the Executive Order on accountability for line item appropriations at the link below:

<http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/Executive_Orders/AccountabilityForLineItemAppropriation.doc>


HB 1 was signed with the following line item vetoes included: 
Page 15, lines 5-6; Page 57, lines 35-36; Page 61, lines 16-18; Page 134, lines 46-47; Page 171, lines 10-13; Page 232, lines 19-22 and Page 254, lines 15-24 

The veto messages for HB 1 can be viewed at the following link: 

<http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/PDFs/2006RSHB1Lineitemvetoes.pdf>

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People www.louisianahelp.org