This story today in The Times-Picayune tracks a new phase of budget discussions since the main budget bill was passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor.  Excerpts:

Gov. Bobby Jindal said Monday that he plans to strike about $278 million in proposed spending from the state budget bill, but that he will work with lawmakers to make sure some money is restored for higher education through other legislation still pending….

“We don't want to play games with the Legislature. We want to be very clear about what we’re doing,” Jindal said at a meeting with reporters to discuss his priorities for the week….

The budget bill was sent to Jindal’s desk last week with $278 million in “contingencies,” or spending tied to the passage of other bills. The contingencies include $118 million for higher education that would come from postponing an income-tax break scheduled to take effect this year, as well as $70 million from an expired insurance fund and $86 million from the state’s rainy-day fund.

With those contingency items facing a veto, the focus now shifts to the Senate, where several spending bills could be reworked to add back some of the money.

Meanwhile, a story by the AP explores the “unclear fate” of funding for legislative “member amendments” in the budget.