News Summary
The Louisiana Legislature has passed a $53 billion budget that omits funding for the LA GATOR private school voucher initiative. Despite over 30,000 applications, funding has not been allocated for this program, raising concerns about its effectiveness. Instead, $44 million has been set aside for an existing scholarship program. Concerns persist regarding teacher pay and potential Medicaid funding increases, while infrastructure and economic development projects are also prioritized in the budget.
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Legislature has approved a $53 billion budget that notably excludes funding for the LA GATOR private school voucher initiative, championed by Governor Jeff Landry. The state’s fiscal plan will take effect on July 1, marking a significant decision in the realm of education funding in Louisiana.
Last year, legislative leaders signaled that funding for the LA GATOR program would not be allocated in the upcoming budget cycle. Despite this prior indication, the program’s rollout began in March, with applications opened for the 2025-26 school year, which has now resulted in over 30,000 students applying for additional voucher slots, all of which will remain unfunded.
In place of the LA GATOR funding, the approved budget provides $44 million to assist 5,600 students in an existing private school voucher program that was instituted over a decade ago under former Governor Bobby Jindal. Efforts to secure an additional $50 million aimed at extending the program to include 5,300 more students were ultimately rejected by legislators.
Concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of the LA GATOR program, especially since approximately 75% of its applicants this year were already enrolled in private schools. Legislative leaders have expressed the need for reliable data to ensure that the voucher program actively meets the needs of students from failing public education systems before they are willing to support an expansion of funding.
The Pelican Institute, a conservative think tank that advocates for the LA GATOR initiative, has voiced disappointment in the lack of funding, suggesting that many families will continue to wait for viable alternatives in education. Additionally, the initial $50 million request for LA GATOR was redirected towards an existing public school tutoring program, which ultimately received $30 million in funding.
Among other budget allocations, $18 million has been designated for increasing payments to sheriffs for housing state prisoners in parish jails, raising the daily per diem from $26.39 to $29.39. Notably, teacher pay remains unchanged for a third consecutive year, with the planned stipends totaling nearly $200 million for teachers and school support staff, at $2,000 and $1,000 each respectively.
Lawmakers are considering a new constitutional amendment slated for April 18, 2026, aimed at securing permanent salary increases for educators. Proposed increases include $2,250 for teachers and $1,125 for support personnel, contingent on dissolving existing education trust funds.
The budget also features substantial federal funding designated for the Medicaid budget, with the intention of increasing reimbursements for medical providers treating Medicaid patients. State officials are looking forward to potential $500 million in increased Medicaid funding, pending federal approval for enhanced provider rates, amid ongoing uncertainties about federal budget cuts.
To fund various one-time projects, legislators plan to withdraw $1.2 billion from a state savings account. The budget will be focusing on critical areas such as $709 million for enhancing roads and bridges, $150 million for economic development improvements, $75 million for local water system upgrades, and technology fixes for the Office of Motor Vehicles.
This budget approval marks a pivotal moment in the governance of education and infrastructure in Louisiana, with significant implications for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- LA Illuminator: Gov. Jeff Landry’s Signature Private Education Voucher Initiative Left Out of Louisiana Budget
- Wikipedia: Education in Louisiana
- The Advertiser: Louisiana Legislature Passes Budget, Teacher Pay Push as Session Ends
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Louisiana
- Read Lion: Louisiana Legislature Budget Plan Nixes School Choice Expansion
- Google Search: Louisiana education budget
- KTBS: Louisiana House Passes Annual Budget with Cuts, No New Revenue
- Google News: Louisiana teacher pay
