A recent commentary by the Louisiana Budget Project urges voters to approve Amendment No. 4 on the October 22nd primary ballot. The measure is sound fiscal policy that will both strengthen the Rainy Day Fund and allow for greater flexibility in future budget shortfalls.
Amendment No. 4 institutes a more specific repayment schedule for Louisiana’s Rainy Day Fund, a savings account that can be used to fill in temporary budget shortfalls in tough economic times. The proposed amendment solves an unintended flaw in how the fund is replenished. Currently, when the Legislature withdrawals money from the Rainy Day Fund, the Fund is automatically replenished with oil and gas revenues during the same fiscal year. This requirement worsens the fiscal situation it was meant to solve.
The proposed amendment would prevent money from automatically flowing into the Fund for two years after money is taken out. After that, the money taken out of the Fund would be paid back over the next three years.
“Amendment No. 4 is a prudent solution that strikes a balance between fiscal flexibility and fiscal responsibility,” says Edward Ashworth, Director of the Louisiana Budget Project. “This amendment will make it easier for the Legislature to use the Rainy Day Fund for its intended purpose to prevent cuts to critical services such as education and health care.”
Read the full commentary and press release.