TOPS, which was left short in Gov. John Bel Edwards’ initial executive budget for next year, will be first in line for full funding if the state’s economy picks up or if the Legislature approves tax reform measures that generate more revenue, Edwards tells the USA Today Network of Louisiana.
“My goal is to fully fund critical priorities of our state, most notably the TOPS program and transportation, but we cannot do that without making reforms and without additional revenue,” Edwards says in a statement. “This is a critical moment for our state, but I am confident that we can make the changes we need to so the priorities I have identified can be funded for the people of our state.”
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne presented the governor’s executive budget to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget last week after factoring in reductions required by a projected $440 million shortfall.
TOPS, the state’s popular college scholarship program, would be cut by 30%, the same level that required students and parents to dig deeper into their own pockets this year.
“This is not the budget we would like to have but one we are required to submit based upon the Revenue Estimating Conference determination of how much money is actually available,” Dardenne says.
Though the governor presents a plan to the Legislature, lawmakers are ultimately charged with crafting an annual budget and could choose to fully fund TOPS if they cut elsewhere. Edwards’ plan leaves TOPS about $82 million short of full funding. About 50,000 students qualified for TOPS this year.
