Gov. Jeff Landry unveils standstill budget, emphasizing fiscal responsibility

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Gov. Jeff Landry has introduced his proposed budget for the 2026 fiscal year, emphasizing flat funding and continued reductions in government spending.

The budget totals $44.96 billion, a decrease from this year’s $45.39 billion, including state and federal funds. Landry said the goal is to limit spending while using any new revenue for non-recurring expenses such as infrastructure projects or further tax cuts.

“This new budget will allow us to use any new revenue on non-recurring expenditures, such as continuing to lower the personal income tax rate even further OR by making investments in critical state infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water, and sewer systems,” Landry said in a Feb. 19 address ahead of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

Where the savings are coming from

The proposed budget includes:

• $11 million in savings in the Louisiana Department of Health
• $1 million in savings in the Department of Energy and Natural Resources
• $2.3 million in savings in the Division of Administration

Landry also announced the creation of a Fiscal Responsibility Program and the appointment of a Budget Czar to further review government expenditures and seek efficiencies.

“There is still more work to be done,” Landry said. “I conducted a similar review as Attorney General and we achieved significant savings. I expect we will again achieve great results.”

The budget proposal was presented to the legislature on Thursday.

Latest News