SENATOR ERIC LAFLEUR GUEST SPEAKER AT ROTARY CLUB MEETING

JANUARY 19, 2016

        The Ville Platte Rotary Club today (Tuesday) heard from guest speaker, State Senator Eric Lafleur.  He was named as new chairman of the powerful state senate finance committee. All tax and expenditure bills must go through this committee before it goes to the governor’s desk.

      Lafleur announced that he and his fellow law makers have a tough task : to overcome a $750 million dollar deficit. Louisiana residents can expect cuts in state services and programs and tax hikes as well.

     Senator Lafleur said the recent governor’s election was “the first election where character played a key role” in Democrat John Bel Edwards defeated Republican David Vitter.

    Lafleur said the recent world- wide oil glut will impact the state’s finances but not to the point where the state suffered back in the 1980’s under Governor Buddy Roemer’s administration.

    One victim of the state’s budget’s problems: the popular Tops scholarship program will not be funded this year. Also, be prepared for a possible   hike in the state sales tax.

    Lafleur said the legislature will be going into special session in the next few weeks to begin addressing the budget issues.

    Senator Lafleur was the special guest of Rotarian Robert Eastin.