BATON ROUGE - Louisiana's public colleges have been hammered by budget cuts over nearly a decade, and they're staring down the threat of another round of slashing.Higher education leaders pleaded their case for funding Wednesday before state lawmakers on a House budget committee.
University officials received no suggestions more dollars would be heading their way in the budget year that begins July 1. And they received no assurances their campuses would be protected from further reductions after $700 million in state financing cuts since 2008.
Gov. John Bel Edwards' budget plan would cut another $17 million in state funding for campuses next year, unless lawmakers agree to raise taxes.
Republicans in the majority-GOP Legislature are showing resistance to the governor's tax proposal - and to raising more money for state government spending.