The education debate at the State Capitol moved outside earlier today when leading Democrats and aides to Gov. Bobby Jindal sparred in back-to-back news conferences. “This is a big-government, top-down, Baton Rouge-based takeover of local schools,” railed Rep. John Bel Edwards, D-Amite, who questioned the constitutionality of using Minimum Foundation Program funds for private school tuition. As he spoke in the East Garden of the Capitol, Superintendent of Education John White and Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret looked on along with the governor’s political consultant Timmy Teepell. Rep. Pat Smith, D-Baton Rouge, head of the Legislative Black Caucus, questioned if race was the reason why children in “C”-rated schools—who are mostly white—are eligible for vouchers along with those in “D” and “F” schools, who are predominantly black. When they finished, Rep. Tony Ligi, R-Metairie, chairman of the House Republican Caucus, took the mike to say that opponents of the governor’s agenda had been asked for their solutions. “The silence was deafening,” he said. “Their complaints are about the process, and they have nothing to improve education.” White rejoined that local tax dollars are not used for scholarships. The state does not send the local share of MFP dollars to local districts, he said, but those do not have the expense of educating students receiving private-school scholarships.
(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.
