Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal's administration has proposed canceling a list of construction plans that lawmakers approved earlier this year in order pull together the $30 million needed for Nucor's planned iron and steel plant in St. James Parish, Louisiana.
Paul Rainwater, Jindal's top budget advisor, submitted the administration's recommendations for state construction spending Thursday to the Bond Commission, which must agree to the plans before they can begin.
A few programs that would potentially be cut include a training academy for state police, a dormitory at LSU's (Louisiana State University) fire and emergency training institute, state museum upgrades, road work and projects favored by lawmakers for their local districts.
However, lawmakers are questioning whether Nucor should get the construction budget money when there are still untouched economic development funds that could be used for the steel plant instead.