By Nita McCann

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Proposed funding cuts to higher education stand to impact the entire state.

That’s what legislators representing Concordia Parish told Chamber of Commerce members at that organization’s legislative luncheon, which took place Tuesday at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center.

Those speaking at the event were State Sen. Francis Thompson, D-Delhi,  from District 34, State Sen. Neil Riser, R-Columbia, from District 32, and State Rep. Andy Anders, D-Clayton, from District 21.

“Our legislative delegation collaborate well together, and that’s going to continue,” Anders said.

According to the Associated Press, the state’s colleges and universities are expected to be cut by $420 million to help cover a $1.4 billion budget shortfall.

“These cuts would be devastating to north Louisiana and statewide,” Riser said. “We have $1.6 billion in  agency budget requests to consider.”

One solution would be to invest funds in community colleges, Thompson said.

“We need more two-year programs,” he added.

Another hot-button topic has been production and price of oil. Considering the revenues oil brings into the state’s coffers, the issue must be treated with kid gloves, legislators said.

“Fracking is fine — we just don’t want it to impact our drinking water,” Riser said.

Other topics discussed at the event included:

• The need to clearly label Genetically Modified Organisms, or GMOs.

• Common Core.

“We’ve put too much in it not to get the benefits out of it,” Thompson said, adding that “we will keep pursuing quality.”

• Creating a cabinet post for elderly affairs.