News Summary
The Louisiana Legislature has approved a $53 billion budget for the next fiscal year, excluding funding for Governor Jeff Landry’s LA GATOR private education voucher program. Despite applications from approximately 30,000 students, there are no allocated funds for new vouchers. The budget does provide $44 million for a different voucher program and aims to ensure support for public schools while increasing funding for various state initiatives, including healthcare and infrastructure. Legislative leaders emphasize the need for accountability in future funding for vouchers.
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Legislature has approved a $53 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which notably omits funding for Governor Jeff Landry’s LA GATOR private education voucher initiative. Legislative leaders had previously signaled their decision not to allocate funding for this program, starting on July 1.
Even with the absence of financial support, state education Superintendent Cade Brumley has issued applications for the LA GATOR program, slated for the 2025-26 school year. Approximately 30,000 students expressed interest and applied for slots in the LA GATOR program. However, without allocated funds, none of these applicants will receive vouchers that would enable them to attend private educational institutions.
The approved budget does provide $44 million for a different voucher program, aimed at fulfilling the needs of 5,600 students. Lawmakers rejected an additional request from Landry for $50 million, which would have expanded the program to accommodate 5,300 more students. Concerns were raised regarding the demographics of the applicants, with roughly three-quarters of them already enrolled in private schools, stirring debate over the necessity of the LA GATOR program.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack McFarland emphasized that any future funding increases would need to demonstrate that vouchers effectively assist students from failing public schools. The Pelican Institute, a conservative think tank, expressed disappointment in the lack of funding for the LA GATOR initiative, citing negative implications for families in pursuit of diverse educational options.
In redirecting funds initially earmarked for the LA GATOR program, the budget will ensure continuity for a successful public school tutoring program and increased financial provisions for local sheriffs to house state prisoners. For the third year in a row, public K-12 teachers will continue to receive stipends of $2,000, while school support staff will receive $1,000, cumulatively costing approximately $200 million.
Additionally, legislative leaders are planning to introduce a new constitutional amendment aimed at securing permanent salary increases for K-12 teachers and support staff. This move is scheduled to coincide with the upcoming U.S. Senate primary election on April 18, 2026.
The newly approved budget allocates substantial resources from federal funding to enhance the state’s Medicaid program by increasing reimbursement rates for healthcare providers treating Medicaid patients. Furthermore, the budget proposes to extract $1.2 billion from state savings, largely directed towards workforce development initiatives, transportation enhancements, and technological upgrades.
Key allocations within the budget include $709 million for the development and improvement of roads and bridges, alongside an additional $150 million for economic development initiatives. Currently, the funding for the LA GATOR program remains at $44 million, with no assurances for new participants, significantly limiting future enrollment opportunities.
Legislators are exercising caution in expanding private school voucher provisions, largely due to concerns regarding the potential repercussions on public school funding and overall educational quality. The current budget reflects a commitment to a balanced approach, aiming to support both public schools and the limited voucher options available.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- LA Illuminator: Gov. Jeff Landry’s Signature Private Education Voucher Initiative Left Out of Louisiana Budget
- NOLA: Louisiana LA GATOR Grant for Private Schools
- The Advertiser: Louisiana Legislature Passes Budget
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Vouchers Debate
- NOLA: Louisiana School Vouchers and Academic Results
