Louisiana House Approves Multi-Billion Public School Funding Formula For Next Year

A $3.4 billion public school funding formula for next year has been approved by the Louisiana House.

It passed by 4 votes after language was stripped that would have created a new college scholarship program sought by the Jindal administration. The 53 votes in favor of the bill (49 against) gave it the minimum number of supporters it needed for passage.

The House vote sends the measure back to the Louisiana Senate because of the scholarship program change. Jindal's plans were to start a program in 2013 that would give college scholarships to high school students who graduate early. Opponents argue that the provision was unconstitutional and complained that the state education board was trying to create new programs without getting proper legislative review of them.