Governor Edwards Sues State Treasurer for Funding of Budget

Published February 7, 2020

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards filed a lawsuit Friday, February 7, 2020, against state Treasurer John Schroder over millions of dollars in unclaimed property. The unclaimed property would add an estimated $25 million in funding toward the budget. In the past, the treasurer has sent Millions in unclaimed property to the general fund to be spent on things that have been appropriated in the state budget. This practice has happened for decades, but Schroder has decided not to turn over the funds this year. Schroder denied millions of dollars in unclaimed property last year as well.

The $30 billion state operating budget was passed in a 35-2 bipartisan vote by the Republican majority Louisiana Senate. Funding in the budget included raises for teachers, funding for early childhood development, TOPS, health, and corrections, among other spending.