Before they wrapped up their session, Louisiana lawmakers charted the spending of nearly $1.7 billion in federal pandemic aid…
… creating a complex network of programs to send money to ports, water systems, tourism marketing efforts and broadband projects in underserved areas.
More than $1 billion was carved off the top for two legislative priorities: $563 million for road and bridge work and $490 million to shore up Louisiana’s near-bankrupt unemployment trust fund and repay money borrowed to cover jobless benefits.
A web of agencies and commissions will divvy up much of the remaining money among specific projects and businesses, under a package of bills that chart the spending plans and create the bureaucracy to manage the new programs. Grant applications, deadlines and other parameters remain to be developed for most of the initiatives.
