The leader of Louisiana's House Republican delegation offered his proposal Thursday for slashing $304 million in state spending, to close a midyear deficit without needing the special legislative session Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards intends to call.

Alexandria Rep. Lance Harris' plan, provided to reporters on Thursday, would levy the deepest reduction of $147 million on the health department. Public colleges, the state's social services department and the veterans affairs agency would be protected from hits.

Cuts would fall on roadwork, state prisons, K-12 education, agriculture and the state tourism agency, among others. Spending on state-financed construction projects would be reduced. Louisiana wouldn't use its "rainy day" fund under the plan — and it could be enacted without calling the full Legislature back to Baton Rouge.