Louisiana education leaders pushed back on Gov. Jeff Landry’s teacher pay plan at a state school board meeting on Tuesday. Superintendents are also venting their frustrations to state lawmakers, who must approve the governor’s executive order to cut $168 million from public schools’ operating budgets to finance stipends for teachers and support staff. The Times-Picayune | Baton Rouge Advocate’s Patrick Wall reports:
In the northwest corner of the state, eleven district leaders signed onto a statement this week saying they “support pay raises for educators, but not at the expense of public school systems.” … Jefferson Parish Schools Superintendent James Gray made a similar plea in a letter to legislators. “I respectfully ask that you help identify an alternative funding solution,” he wrote, “that allows us to continue investing in employees without reducing opportunities and services for students.”
Superintendents have many concerns:
The superintendents have challenged Landry’s suggestion that they tap their rainy-day funds to pay for the stipends, and they argued that the governor’s decision to exclude certain school staffers — including principals and counselors — from the bonus pay is bad for morale. They also say the proposed cut, which represents about 5% of state funding for K-12 schools, will be especially painful for rural districts that rely heavily on state money to keep their schools running.
But also understand the governor has put lawmakers in a tough spot:
In St. Tammany Parish, Superintendent Frank Jabbia said he’s scheduled to meet with several lawmakers on Thursday, when he will argue that the proposed $9.8 million reduction in state funding would be “extremely difficult” for the district. If legislators don’t want to vote against giving stipends to teachers, he said he will suggest that they simply do not cast a vote on Landry’s plan. “My message to them is abstain,” he said. “Abstain and let’s revisit this.”
Landry’s executive order must be approved by two-thirds of the Louisiana Legislature.
New Orleans program helps with fortified roofs costs
Houses with fortified roofs are more likely to sustain hurricane-force winds, and have been hailed as a key part of the solution to Louisiana’s property insurance crisis. But many people who win a coveted spot in the state’s fortified roofing program end up dropping out because the $10,000 grant is not enough to cover the full installation. New Orleans leaders have created a program to help homeowners cover those out-of-pocket costs. The Times-Picayune | Baton Rouge Advocate’s Sam Karlin reports:
The City Council Community Development Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to send about $640,000 to the new roof program, the latest step officials have taken to try to alleviate a yearslong insurance crisis that is pushing homeowners to the brink.
Here’s how the program will work:
The new program will be open to homeowners who make (up to) 120% of the area median income, which is $74,450 for a single person, or $106,320 for a family of four. The sliding scale means that people earning 80% of the median area income or below will have full costs paid through the program. For homeowners earning between 80% to 120% of the median area income, the new program will pay up to $5,000 in out-of-pocket costs.
A new state law adds $50 million – and 5,000 roof grants – to the Louisiana Fortify Homes program.
New Medicaid guidance threatens coverage for sick patients
New Medicaid work reporting requirements, which were included in the federal tax and budget megabill that became law last July, included an exception for people who are considered medically frail. A new rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services tightens those requirements for people with serious illnesses. The AP’s Ali Swenson reports on concerns from program participants and states:
Experts said it will put more Americans at risk of losing their health insurance and force states to scramble in their already harried efforts to implement the changes on time. “This will mean more paperwork for Medicaid patients — specifically for the sickest Medicaid patients,” said Adrianna McIntyre, a professor at Harvard University’s school of public health. That, she said, “is going to push in the direction of more people needlessly losing coverage.”
An all-carrot no-stick approach to food assistance
Louisiana is expanding a federal food assistance program that rewards recipients for buying fresh fruit and vegetables. The Louisiana Illuminator’s team reports:
The Louisiana Carrot Initiative gives participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program an extra 30 cents for every dollar they spend on fresh produce at Walmart locations statewide. Recipients can earn an extra $25 in SNAP benefits per month. The state health department launched the Carrot Initiative in April 2025, starting with a limited number of Walmart stores. More than $1.6 million in bonus benefits have been earned since its inception.
Number of the Day
46% – Share of working-age adults who reported their families faced difficulties affording health care in December 2025. (Source: Urban Institute)