AP Wire

Edwards to lawmakers: \"We have some unfinished business\"

by Melinda Deslatte, Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards told lawmakers they have "unfinished business" as they start sifting through tax proposals in a second special session aimed at closing budget holes.

Edwards spoke Tuesday to a joint session of the House and Senate, laying his case for $600 million in taxes to lessen cuts to health care and education programs in the financial year that begins July 1.

The Democratic governor is proposing increased income taxes on middle- and upper-income earners, scaled back tax break programs and boosted business taxes.

It's the second special session on taxes Edwards has called since taking office in January. Weary lawmakers are questioning whether they'll support additional tax changes after the tax hikes passed earlier this year.

The session began Monday night and must end June 23.