Louisiana senators cut new funds for school vouchers, education operating costs from budget

May 22, 2026 - 01:46

State senators in Louisiana have voted to remove new funding for school vouchers and general education operating expenses from the upcoming budget. The decision follows revised state revenue forecasts that came in lower than originally expected, forcing lawmakers to tighten spending across several areas.

The cuts specifically target additional money that had been proposed for the state's voucher program, which allows students to use public funds for private school tuition. Senators also stripped out new allocations meant to cover rising operational costs for public schools, such as utilities, transportation, and classroom supplies. Existing funding for these programs will remain in place, but no new increases will be added for the next fiscal year.

Supporters of the cuts argued that the state must live within its means after the revenue shortfall became clear. They said protecting the current budget's core services was more important than expanding programs. Critics, however, warned that the move could strain public schools already dealing with inflation and growing enrollment. They also expressed concern that freezing voucher expansion might limit school choice for low-income families.

The budget now heads back to the House for further debate. Lawmakers face a tight deadline to finalize a spending plan before the end of the legislative session. The final version will need to balance competing priorities with less money available than initially planned.