In March we began a series of annual budget hearings of the Appropriations Committee. This year as in year's past, we face an approximate $1.2 Billion shortfall. The Legislative Session will begin on April 8 and must end on June 6, 2013 with a balanced budget.

As always, important work awaits us when we return to Baton Rouge. Budget hearings will continue in the important Appropriations Committee on April 8th and will continue through the first few weeks of Session. These hearings will go a long way to determine where scarce resources will be allocated. It is crucial that I hear from you, as your opinions, ideas, and input are extremely important to me.

Governor Jindal has submitted his $24.7 billion Executive Budget to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. To review his plans for Fiscal Year 2013-14, please go to www.doa.louisiana.gov. Our state is again going to use one-time revenue to try to balance the budget proposed by the Governor. There are several areas of decreased state spending that are increasingly affecting citizens. Because some of these items have been challenged successfully in court, it is not certain what changes, if any, will be made.