[StBernard] Governor Blanco Signs Historic Education Budget into Law

[Westley Annis]

Governor Blanco Signs Historic Education Budget into Law 

Baton Rouge: Today, Governor Blanco signed an historic budget into law that opens a new chapter on education in Louisiana. 

Statement by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco 

"This budget puts education first, where it belongs. The nearly $700 million in new education investments will reform the way we do business in Louisiana. This budget expands pre-k to give all children a strong foundation in learning. It reforms our high schools, and provides Louisiana's first need-based scholarship program to make college more affordable. It gives hardworking Louisiana teachers the competitive pay they deserve by bringing them to the Southern Regional Education Board average. For the first time in a quarter century, Louisiana will fully fund our colleges and universities." 

"We are finally investing in the priorities Louisiana's citizens have long demanded. Today we make historic investments in education, roads, health care and economic development. We are giving major tax breaks to our families and making insurance more affordable for our homeowners. With an unprecedented investment in new construction on our roads, we will see more road work this year than at any time in history."

"This budget is larger than usual because it includes the federal Road Home money. It invests heavily in the health care, infrastructure and housing needs in the storm recovery areas. It gives our communities the ability to leverage additional funding for recovery projects." 

"This budget makes our children, families and communities our top priorities. Our people deserve these investments that will strengthen Louisiana's future. I thank the members of the Legislature for their support in delivering a real victory for Louisiana's citizens." 

Below is the Governor's veto message on HB1.

Click here <http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/B001160F.PDF> 

###

The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
Louisiana's Fund for Louisiana's People
www.louisianahelp.org