Debate on the state budget bills is under way Thursday morning in the state Senate.
State Sen. Jack Donahue, R-Mandeville, started with miscellaneous budget bills before tackling House Bill 1, the $25 billion state operating budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Senate President John Alario, R-Westwego, joked that he needs to fix his typewriter to finish amendments before debate on HB1 can begin.
HB1 will fund hospitals, colleges and other state services.
The legislation is the subject of a dispute between the Louisiana House and the state Senate on the best way to balance the budget.
At issue is one-time money from various state government funds, expected real estate sales and legal settlements. Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to use more than $200 million in one-time money to make the budget work.
Some Republicans in the House want to completely eliminate all one-time money, arguing it is irresponsible to pay recurring expenses with dollars likely to materialize once.
So far, the Senate has sided with the governor by putting the one-time money back into the budget.
