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State Rep. Rob Shadoin, R-Ruston(Photo: Courtesy photo)

Some Louisiana House Republicans are breaking ranks with members of party leadership who oppose tapping the Rainy Day Fund to soften$304 million in midyear budget cuts, though they agree they are likely in the minority.

House GOP Chairman Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, and other Republican representatives have said they won't vote to unlock $119 million from the Rainy Day Fund. Since it takes a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate to use the Rainy Day fund, the Republican majority in the House could block its use.

Rep. Bubba Chaney, R-Rayville(Photo: Courtesy photo)

But Rep. Rob Shadoin, R-Ruston, called USA Today Network to say House leadership doesn't speak for him on this issue. Harris told USA Today earlier this week that he didn't speak for all members.

"I can't speak for anyone else;they don't speak for me," Shadoin said. "I'll do whatever it takes to spare colleges and hospitals more cuts. They've had enough. If I had to vote today I would vote to use the Rainy Day Fund."

Harris made public Thursday his own plan to clear the $304 million midyear deficit without using the Rainy Day fund and without having to call a special session, which Gov. John Bel Edwards has promised to do in February. Edwards has said he will ask lawmakers to approve tapping the Rainy Day Fund.

State Rep. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles(Photo: Courtesy photo)

The bulk of Harris' cuts $147 million would come from the Louisiana Department of Health, but state prisons and K-12 education, among other agencies, would also take hits.Colleges and universities would be spared under Harris' plan. Members of the Edwards' administration have said Harris'cuts would threaten safety net hospitals and other services.

Rep. Bubba Chaney, R-Rayville, a member of the House Appropriations Committee that crafts the budget, said he willlikely support using the Rainy Day Fund.

"With this deficit looming we have to consider using every tool in the tool box to make cuts that would impact the fewest number of people," Chaney said. "I'm not opposed to using the Rainy Day Fund as part of an overall plan to help mitigate the total amount of the deficit and to lessen the blows to higher education and health care. I don't think we can afford to take anything off of the table."

That Shadoin and Chaney would break with the party isn't surprising. They're seen as among the more moderate faction of the GOP and Shadoin in particular has been a consistent ally of the governor.

"I have to say a two-thirds bar would be hard to chin," said Chaney, referring to the two-thirds vote needed in the House to tap the fund.

Rep. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, who is also a member of the Appropriations Committee, said he will also consider using the Rainy Day Fund depending on the deficit reduction plan that emerges.

"I'm not opposed to using it, but I'm going to weigh everything before I decide for sure," Abraham said. "The Rainy Day Fund was designed for specific relief during difficult budget times. If we don't use it now, when do we ever use it?"

Shadoin said he believe other members will come around to using the Rainy Day Fund.

"My prediction is those who say they aren't going to vote for it will change their minds," Shadoin said.

GregHilburncovers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

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Some Republicans break ranks on Rainy Day Fund - Alexandria Town Talk