Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards claims $600M in cuts; GOP calls the list misleading

Trying to prove he doesn't always turn to taxes to fill budget holes, Gov. John Bel Edwards is circulating a list of more than $600 million in budget cuts he says his administration has made during its two years in office, a list that Republicans describe as inflated.

The counting of cuts is a flashpoint in the broader debate over how many taxes lawmakers will agree to support to replace $1 billion in temporary taxes expiring July 1.

Edwards wants the full amount replaced. Republican lawmakers have questioned whether a dollar-for-dollar swap is needed or something less. They criticize the Democratic governor as making few structural changes to permanently shrink state spending.

Edwards' budget cut list, released this week, hasn't squelched the criticism.

Alexandria Rep. Lance Harris, chairman of the House GOP delegation, said Thursday that items included appear to be "a play on words and a different definition of what is a cut."

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