Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2024-04-26

Duration: 00:05:34

Subjects: Louisiana Legislative Session, 2024 | Louisiana. Legislature | Education | School choice

Contributors:

• LeBlanc, Karen Host
• Landry, Jeff Speaker
• Emerson, Julie Speaker
• Rowland, Jason Speaker
• Corley, Clay Speaker
• Procopio, Steven Interviewee

This segment from the April 26, 2024, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Karen LeBlanc’s report on two controversial bills at the 2024 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature creating taxpayer funded universal education savings accounts. LeBlanc reports that the proposed Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program would offer grants between $5,100 to $15,000 for parents to send their children to private school. Her report touches on opponents’ concerns about future funding for public education. Her report includes: clips from Governor Jeff Landry’s inaugural address and opening address to the session; State Representative Julie Emerson presenting the bill for the Louisiana Gator Scholarship Program on the House floor; comments by Bossier Parish Superintendent Jason Rowland and DeSoto Parish Superintendent Clay Corley; and an interview with Dr. Steven Procopio, the president of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR).