The House Appropriations Committee has approved an operating budget of $47 billion for next fiscal year. Even though it’s a standstill budget, areas of state government will see an increase in funding. House Appropriations Chairman Jack McFarland says they are pouring more dollars into public schools.
“We’ve made it a priority to give them $30 million more dollars to aid in that, and now they can focus on taking care of those things they need to,” McFarland said.
There’s also a proposed increase in funding for K-12 public school tutoring services.
An additional $50 million from the state general fund is also going to economic development projects. McFarland says it’s part of an effort to grow the state’s economy.
“We are making a significant investment in, not just LED, but also in a partnership between LED, Workforce Commission and our LCTCS; our higher ed, our community colleges,” McFarland said.
House legislative leadership is also going along with Governor Landry’s request to double the funding for the Louisiana Gator Scholarship program, from $44 million to nearly $88 million. McFarland says there is a desire for expanded school choice.
“We’ve heard from an equal number of constituents, and from the Department of Education, that it is necessary to keep it at that existing funding level, as was proposed by the governor,” McFarland explained.
Senate President Cameron Henry does not support increasing the funding for LA Gator. He’s concerned the voucher program that would help families pay for private school tuition and other educational expenses will become too costly. The budget bill will be discussed on the House floor on Thursday and then it goes to the Senate for its consideration.