EBR Budget Battles: Cutting Sacred Cows & Facing Reality

Metro Councilman Dwight Hudson joins the show to break down East Baton Rouge Parish’s proposed budget and the looming vote on the Thrive plan. With cuts across City-Parish departments, Hudson argues the real “fat” lies in dedicated agencies like libraries and mosquito abatement, which hold large reserves while critical services such as drainage and public safety struggle. Thrive proposes trimming these areas—like a 20% library cut—while still keeping Baton Rouge among the nation’s top-funded systems. Hudson stresses that without structural reform, services will worsen, especially with St. George’s tax base gone. Thrive offers a chance to stabilize cuts and reshape priorities.