BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. Bobby Jindal's plans to spend $50 million on a Farmerville chicken plant go before lawmakers Wednesday.
The full Legislature already has agreed to loosen the eligibility requirements for the $414 million economic development "mega-fund" so the chicken plant deal can receive the money.
Now, lawmakers on the joint budget committee are scheduled to debate whether they agree to the spending from the mega-fund.
California-based Foster Farms agreed to buy the plant from Texas-based Pilgrim's Pride for $80 million. Jindal agreed the state would put up half the purchase price and another $10 million for improvements to the site, as a way to keep the plant open.
Supporters say the deal would save 1,100 jobs at the plant and farms of north Louisiana chicken growers.