Republicans clash over House budget compromise - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

By MELINDA DESLATTE
Associated Press

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - House Republicans are at odds over a bipartisan budget proposal that contains $329 million in cuts to tax break programs that largely benefit businesses.

The divide within GOP ranks threatens to sink the House budget compromise, unless a bloc of conservative Republicans who have been negotiating the budget deal with Democrats can hold together.

The deal proposed for House debate Thursday would rework the $24.8 billion budget submitted by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

It would use dollars from shrinking tax breaks and levy $106 million in cuts to travel expenses, contracts and other items to replace patchwork, uncertain financing used by Jindal.

Jindal and the state Republican Party are blasting the plan as a tax hike. The proposal pits GOP lawmakers against traditional allies, including tea party leaders and business groups.

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