Analysis: Another year, another budget shortfall - Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press

The $963 million hole falls on the better end of the spectrum in the context of the last five years. That's probably little consolation to lawmakers looking at what is likely to be new rounds of budget slashing to health care services for the poor, uninsured, disabled and elderly and to public colleges that already have been stripped of $427 million in state funding since 2008. There are no easy cuts left to choose. Efficiencies and streamlining won't be enough to close the hole. And Jindal steadfastly refuses tax hikes to fill the gap. The governor must unveil his proposal for balancing next year's budget to lawmakers by Feb. 22. Any new reductions will come as colleges are struggling to cope with what they've already lost. Any new slashing also will hit as the LSU health care system continues grappling with deep reductions this year that have shuttered services without any surety that the private health care community will pick up those patients or the medical training programs tied to them. http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Analysis-Another-year-another-budget-shortfall-4065048.php