BATON ROUGE - Lawmakers in the state house have approved a one-cent tax increase to help fill budget holes in two budgets: the current budget and next year's spending plan.

The tax proposal was passed 76-27, WBRZ political correspondent Mark Armstrong first reported on Twitter Thursday afternoon. The senate will likely approve the measures next.

The one-cent proposal expires in 18-months. 

If 1-cent sales tax bill stays as is... should bring in $200million this year. Will cost you avg. $12 month

— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 25, 2016

The decision came after a lunch break. Thursday afternoon, lawmakers are deciding on taxes and government cuts.

Through some patchwork budget maneuvers, lawmakers appear to be able to fill all but $200 million of what is needed to close the gap for the current fiscal year.  There will be more discussion Friday. 

So, a projected $200M from 1¢ sales tax increase + $200M raided from BP settlement + $128M from rainy day fund.. (1) https://t.co/ShXTKReRKS

— Michael Shingleton (@ShingletonWBRZ) February 25, 2016

(cont) + $101M in cuts + potentially $46M generated from cigarette tax + $27M in alcohol tax. I've got $703M? ≠ $900M+ @TV_MarkA ?

— Michael Shingleton (@ShingletonWBRZ) February 25, 2016

.@ShingletonWBRZ $200M short sounds about right, but not completely sure on the $101Mcuts. Theres more tax bills to come. Wait&see #lalege

— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 25, 2016

Follow Armstrong on Twitter for quick updates. He tweets using @TV_MarkA. 

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