The Latest: House backs separate budget bill for AG's office

The breakaway budget bill would allow Landry's office to shift dollars among programs more easily — and to only seek legislative approval for midyear financing adjustments, rather than going through the Edwards administration.

Louisiana's income forecasting panel has decided against making changes to the state's revenue estimates, after economists said little had changed to brighten the budget picture.

The Revenue Estimating Conference heard a bleak update about Louisiana's declining jobs numbers and its spill-out effect across tax collections.

The conference includes the governor's chief budget adviser, the Senate president, the House speaker and an independent LSU economist.

The biggest disagreement for the financial year that begins July 1 centers on whether to prioritize the TOPS free college tuition program and give it full funding at the expense of health services for the poor, elderly and disabled.