As Louisiana’s “fiscal cliff” approaches, the House Appropriations Committee has been asking state agency heads to explain how a 1-5% budget cut would affect their ability to operate. On Friday the spotlight fell on education – from early education programs that serve the youngest learners, to public colleges and universities. The Times-Picayune | Baton Rouge Advocate’s Elyse Carmosino explains how reducing funding for early education, which lawmakers already cut during last spring’s legislative session, would mean serving fewer children:
Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, asked [Superintendent of Education Cade] Brumley if there was data on the impact of early education when kids enter kindergarten and beyond. Brumley cited a Council for a Better Louisiana study that found students who participate in early childhood programs had decreased special education rates, increased fourth grade academic performance, increased high school graduation rates and more college tuition awards. “Unfortunately, too many students in the state of Louisiana arrive on day one not kindergarten-ready,” he said.
Carmosino explains how budget cuts for higher education could negatively impact dual enrollment programs:
If colleges lose some state funding, they may shrink or eliminate their dual-enrollment programs at a time when Louisiana is trying to grow the number of students earning college credits in high school, [Louisiana’s Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter] Reed said. “We are big champions for dual enrollment,” she said. “Certainly no one has said, ‘This is definitely something we would cut,’ but it is a potential challenge for us.”
Programming note: Invest in Louisiana is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 12 p.m where we’ll unpack Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax overhaul plan, discuss how it would affect Louisiana citizens and the state budget, and take questions. Click here to register.
Lead pipes in New Orleans
Nearly 90% of the New Orleans homes that a local environmental nonprofit tested over the summer came back positive for lead. The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans tested water in 144 homes across 37 neighborhoods in the city. Verite News’ Safura Syed explains how city residents are getting a clearer picture of the prevalence of lead in their drinking water:
In a written statement to Verite News, the Sewerage & Water Board said it aims to complete a comprehensive lead line replacement to keep up with federal guidelines and have received $86 million in state funding to do so. On Friday (Oct 11), the agency released an interactive map to document all of the city’s lead service lines and will update the map as they conduct more inventories and get more information.
President Joe Biden recently announced $2.6 billion in funding for a new EPA rule to replace all lead pipes in the United States within the next decade.
Guaranteed income programs at the federal level
In Louisiana and around the country, governments and nonprofits are piloting guaranteed basic income programs that provide people with regular, no-strings-attached cash stipends. Route Fifty’s Kaitlyn Levinson reports on the benefits of these programs and how these efforts could set the stage for action at the federal level.
In Shreveport, Louisiana, for example, a cash payment initiative helped participants reduce their food insecurity and stress, according to a study released last month by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income. Under the program,110 families led by single parents or guardians received $660 per month for a year from March 2022 to February 2023. The vast majority of participants were women of color with an average household income of $12,435. Participants reported they had more time for self-care and were able to use the payments to better meet their children’s needs, like new school uniforms, haircuts and supplies.
Instructor arrest part of ‘systemic problem’
An employee of a Jefferson Parish juvenile detention facility was arrested last week on a list of disturbing charges. The Louisiana Illuminator’s Greg LaRose explains why advocates for incarcerated youth see this controversy as part of a larger, consistent problem:
“We believe that this employee’s arrest is not an anomaly, but a symptom of a systemic problem that cannot be ignored,” [Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children Gina] Womack said. “The solution is clear: we need community-based prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation so that kids don’t end up in abusive situations.” Authorities have not provided any additional details on the allegations against Cennett.
Number of the Day
1.83% – Louisiana’s national market share for electric vehicles sales during the second quarter of 2024, which ranks 49th among all states. (Source: Alliance for Automotive Innovation via the Louisiana Illuminator)