Although amounts have been reported for months, worsening almost each time, few people likely realized the depth of the state’s finances until Gov. John Bel Edwards launched his TOPS salvo last week, but at least it got everyone’s attention.

Someone with military experience described the threat to not pay colleges the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students as a standard military tactic. If you want to get everyone’s attention in a community, threaten the school.

The tuition program is vital to many college students who would not get a post secondary education without it. TOPS is not an entitlement program. Students are expected to score well on the ACT and maintain good grades while taking a minimum number of hours and adhering to certain curriculum requirements. Don’t achieve enough hours or grades fall, students lose out.

To students like Lanie Marcentel, who graduated at the top of her Catholic High School class and took the ACT — which students pay to take each time — six times, TOPS is not a luxury; it’s essential. The threat of losing this program would have forced her to take out huge loans or drop out, and in such an economy it likely would have been the latter.

Gov. Edwards has our attention. Constituents will consider some tax hikes open-mindedly, but every area of the state budget should be considered, including the protected funds we hear of now shielded for the budget knife.

The Legislature and governor have agreed to $60 million in budget cuts across state agencies in the first couple of days into the special session … only $790 million to $890 million to go.

JEFF ZERINGUE

MANAGING EDITOR