Louisiana Lawmakers Divert $800 Million to Local Projects, Skipping $200 Million Teacher Stipends
Updated
Updated · NOLA.com · May 26
Louisiana Lawmakers Divert $800 Million to Local Projects, Skipping $200 Million Teacher Stipends
1 articles · Updated · NOLA.com · May 26
$800 million from Louisiana’s Revenue Stabilization Fund would go to infrastructure, economic development, law enforcement, local governments and nonprofits under budget bills advancing in the session’s final days.
The plan leaves out $200 million needed to renew teacher and school staff stipends and $43.5 million to expand the LA GATOR voucher program after a weaker revenue forecast forced roughly $100 million in budget cuts.
Budget leaders say reserve-fund money should cover one-time spending, not recurring education costs, especially after voters rejected a May 16 constitutional amendment meant to make teacher raises permanent.
About $81 million would flow through a project account critics call pork, including $2.2 million for a Franklin Parish sheriff training center, $1.5 million for a children’s museum and $800,000 for the Baton Rouge YWCA.
The fight has drawn criticism from both progressive and conservative groups, reviving a broader debate over whether member-driven local earmarks are crowding out statewide priorities as the fund’s growth is expected to slow.
With billions in reserve, why is Louisiana funding pet projects instead of preventing teacher pay cuts?
As reserve funds dwindle, what is Louisiana’s real plan to solve its recurring teacher pay crisis?
Louisiana ranks high in per-student spending but near last in teacher pay. Where is the money going?