Louisiana colleges negotiating for ways to lessen deep budget cuts - The Associated Press

The threat of up to $380 million in budget cuts to Louisiana's public colleges has higher education officials and lawmakers scrambling for ideas to stop the slashing, weighing everything from tax-break suspensions to new tuition and fee hikes. College system leaders are suggesting a special legislative session might be needed to stop deep, damaging reductions from forcing widespread layoffs, jeopardizing worker-training programs and chasing potential students and faculty from campuses. University of Louisiana System President Sandra Woodley said the magnitude of cuts being considered by Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration to balance next year's budget, which has a $1.4 billion shortfall, could have "long-term catastrophic effects." http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/01/louisiana_colleges_negotiating.html