La. House again considering taxes, amid budget uncertainty

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana lawmakers are meeting Memorial Day in their special session, trying to reach a tax deal to fill a budget gap.
  
The financial year begins July 1, with more than $1 billion in temporary taxes expiring. Gov. John Bel Edwards wants $648 million replaced, to avoid steep cuts to health, education and public safety programs.
  
The House, where most tax bills must start, will consider taxes Monday afternoon. A sales tax bill failed Friday.
  
Lawmakers are questioning whether they can strike a tax compromise and craft next year’s budget before the session ends June 4.
  
Edwards vetoed a $28.5 billion budget he said cut too deeply, expecting lawmakers to write a larger spending plan during the special session. But Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry hasn’t yet introduced a budget bill.