BATON ROUGE, LA – State lawmakers this week rolled out a proposed budget proudly described as “balanced,” using a forward-thinking accounting method that assumes all expenses become manageable once they are pushed far enough into the future.
The plan increases spending across multiple areas at the same time, a move officials say proves Louisiana can afford everything simultaneously as long as no one asks how. Supporters hailed the approach as “aspirational math,” noting that revenues are expected to rise, costs are expected to stabilize, and voters are expected to forget eventually.
Governor Jeff Landry praised the proposal, saying it invests in priorities while remaining flexible about when the bill actually comes due. Budget analysts confirmed the numbers work best when viewed optimistically, briefly, and without any context whatsoever.
The legislature also emphasized that difficult tradeoffs were avoided entirely, replacing them with confidence. When questioned about long-term sustainability, officials reassured the public that future lawmakers would have access to even newer math.
Budget writers concluded the proposal represents a responsible balance between ambition and reality, with reality scheduled to be addressed at a later date.
