Treasurer Kennedy blasts budget

BATON ROUGE, La (WVLA) -- State Treasurer John Kennedy weighed in on budget woes today at the Rotary Club in Baton Rouge. Kennedy is speaking out about the 2011 budget. He says the shortfall could climb as high as $3 Billion.

But Kennedy says he has a 16-point plan to plug the hole, without raising taxes or laying off state workers. The catch - he says it can't be done without significant changes in how Louisiana's government operates.

"We've got enough money to be number one in the south in higher education, or health care or coastal restoration or infrastructure. But we don't have enough money to be number one in the south for those things or patronage," said Kennedy.

When asked, Kennedy said he has not presented his plan to Governor Jindal, but has discussed ideas with Paul Rainwater.