Special Session Tops Strain Agenda Today

By Don Molino

During his daily report on the Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network, Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain reminded his listeners the special session of the legislature kicked off at 6:30 last night and is scheduled to run through February 22nd.

According to the call for legislators, the special session is being held to, among other things “provide for ordinary operating expenses for state government; to legislate with respect to the transfer, dedication, deposit, use and appropriation of moneys and state funds; to legislate with regard to statutory dedication; to legislate with regard to budget stabilization; to legislate with regard to fees,” said Strain.

Right now, the state is facing between $310 and $340 million dollars in budget deficits for the current fiscal year which ends July 1st and Strain says his department, like all the rest of state government, is facing even more budget cuts.

But on a brighter note, Strain pointed out the Dow Jones Industrial Average has been hitting new all-time highs which will directly affect commodity prices.