re: Louisiana finally has a budget surplus thanks to JBE

Actually, much of it's due to the house dragging the Senate and JBE kicking and screaming into spending millions less than the projected revenue (the projected revenue has been overestimated every year since ever). JBE wanted $350 million more in spending. The house republicans wanted $350 million less in spending so that when the mid year estimates came in, they could avoid any shortfalls and add any surpluses back into the budget. JBE and the legislature eventually reached a compromise spending around $60 million less than projected.

Had JBE gotten his way, we would be seeing a $250 million midyear shortfall rather than a $100 million surplus.