Gov. Kathleen Blanco called for a special legislative session for state legislators to address an agenda of items the state has been dealt with, particularly because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
A total of 73 items are on Blanco’s agenda for the session. On Thursday, the Joint Emergency Board met and discussed the appropriation of funds to 31 municipalities in the state that were damaged during the hurricanes. Representatives of the Southern University System will be at the State Capitol, monitoring the session,during the 17-day session that is scheduled to begin Sunday.
One item that will affect some of this year’s freshman class is the possible exemption or waivers for the Tuition Opportunity Program for Students or TOPS.
Legislators will also debate levee district reorganization, a one-day state tax exemption in December, price gouging, and government spending cuts — which could include $4.2 million in cuts for the system.
A retreat scheduled by the System Board of Supervisors will be held today to discuss the possible cuts and how they can affect the system.
In late August, Hurricane Katrina severely damaged most of SUNO’s campus, displacing most of its students, faculty and staff. Chancellor Robert Gex and most of his administration have temporarily relocated to Southern’s Baton Rouge campus, where they are still in the process of trying to find members of the SUNO community.
A press conference was held last week by members of the system and community officials from Baton Rouge and New Orleans area promising a swift, but thoroughly planned rebuilding and revitalization effort of New Orleans and SUNO.
Interim President Edward Jackson said the system is prepared to do what it can to assist the state.