Plans for the Louisiana House to restart the state budget debate at 11 a.m. Friday went awry.
However, legislators seem poised to start discussing the $25 billion state spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
During the recess, Republicans and Democrats met separately to discuss a dispute over how the budget should be balanced.
Republicans retreated to a meeting room in the basement of the State Capitol. Democrats huddled on the House floor with House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, joining the discussion at one point.
Now aides are scurrying around the House floor with amendments to House Bill 1, the main budget legislation.
At issue is how much one-time money should be used in the budget.
Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to use $268 million in one-time dollars to balance the budget. A number of Republicans prefer to make deeper cuts.
As the House prepared to resume debate, state Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City, approached legislative staff about finding a Bible.
Thompson said he wanted legislators to put their hands on the book and swear they were not offered state construction dollars in exchange for voting in favor of the governor’s stance.
