Budget deal could resolve dispute between Gov. John Bel Edwards, AG Jeff Landry

Lawmakers say they have a struck a deal they expect to end a budget feud between Louisiana's governor and attorney general, and the lawsuit associated with it, over an escrow account containing millions.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry sued Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in April, accusing the administration of improperly withholding the money the attorney general's office says is needed to finance its operations.

The agreement brokered by Republican Sen. Bret Allain, vice chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, involves a complex transfer of funds that would wipe out the $5.3 million sitting in the contested escrow account in exchange for giving the attorney general's office $2.7 million in other state financing.

Legislation containing the agreement still must win approval from lawmakers before the regular session ends Thursday, but legislative leaders in the House and Senate said they were confident the deal would win passage.

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