U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon supports Governor Jeff Landry’s effort to double the state funding of the LA GATOR Program. The program provides low income families with state dollars that can be used to pay for private school tuition. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says McMahon’s endorsement is a big deal.
“Obviously, Jeff Landry has some ins with the Trump administration and may have called in that favor. So it may be an early sign that he’s taking this incredibly seriously,” Alford said.
The state is spending $44 million on the program this school year, and the money is helping 5,600 families. Landry has asked lawmakers to increase the funding to $88 million, but Senate President Cameron Henry has expressed concern that the program could get too big to afford. Alford says LA GATOR also has public backing.
“There are going to be a lot of parents who are in support of sending their kids to private school and using public money. At the end of the day, it’s the art of the compromise,” Alford noted.
Landry believes families should pick a school that best fits their child’s needs, but Henry is concerned about how the state can pay for it if you add another 5,600 families to the program. Alford says it’s a debate to watch during this legislative session.
“I think Cameron Henry is mostly concerned about doubling the size of the program and creating that precedent. Whether he is amenable to something smaller, we’ll have to wait and see,” Alford said.