On the same day that Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed his two key education reform bills into law, two other major schools bills are set for Senate debate today. One vote away from the governor’s desk is another version of the school voucher bill—House Bill 696 by Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge—which would grant refundable tax credits to those who contribute to nonprofits that provide private-school scholarships to public school students. The scholarships are available to students with family incomes within 250% of the federal poverty level, with preference to those in schools graded “D” or “F.” A constitutional amendment to create a new school district in southeast Baton Rouge, Senate Bill 299, also awaits Senate action. The bill, by Sen. Bodi White, R-Central, needs a two-thirds legislative majority to get on the November ballot. A bill that cleared Education Committee this morning could eliminate that final step for new school districts in the future. HB 609 by Rep. Alan Seabaugh, R-Shreveport, would amend the constitution to allow the formation of new districts if approved by voters in that area and in the area of the remaining district. That makes the district formation process easier in one way, not having to mount a statewide campaign for approval, but makes it harder if there is resistance in the whole district to the separation. If both constitutional amendments pass, the one by Seabaugh would not affect the new Baton Rouge district. Read the full column here.
(John Maginnis will publish a daily update throughout the legislative session on Daily Report PM. The report is also available to LaPolitics Weekly subscribers on the Subscribers Only page at LaPolitics.com. Registration is available on the homepage.)
Louisiana Public Broadcasting is providing a daily video update featuring highlights of the session, which you can see beginning at 6 p.m. here.
