A new batch of legislators has taken its place in the Louisiana Senate, but political science professor Robert Hogan said the state can expect similar debates revolving around higher education funding.
Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball swore all 39 state senators into office for the 2012-2016 session on Jan. 9 at the State Senate Chamber.
Robert Hogan said budget issues may be one of the largest impacts students will feel during the upcoming legislative session, which begins in March.
In the past, some legislators have hoped to change TOPS into a state grant unassociated with tuition costs, and Hogan said talks on the issues may continue into this session.
TOPS is currently tied to tuition costs, and with the increase in tuition, state costs in TOPS coverage increase as well. However, Gov. Bobby Jindal has stated his opposition to the detachment between TOPS and tuition prices, Hogan said.
Hogan said another hot topic within the legislative branch in the past included the right to carry fire arms on campus grounds.
“Bills are introduced time and time again,” he said. “They may be reintroduced until they pass or are killed.”
Of the 39 senators, 10 are new to the Senate, with four serving their first term within the Legislature. The group is a bipartisan mix comprised of 24 Republicans and 15 Democrats.
Sen. John Alario, R-Westwego, was selected to be the Senate president, and Sen. Sharon Weston Broome, D-Baton Rouge, was selected to be Senate president pro-tempore for a second term.
While Alario is currently serving his second term in the Senate this year, he has also served nine terms in the Louisiana House of Representatives and was speaker for two of those terms.
At the inauguration ceremony, Alario said the upcoming legislation will focus on improving the state for future generations with an emphasis on education.
Alario said he is most looking forward to working with Jindal to improve elementary and secondary education.
 
“If Louisiana is to have a great future, it is through our children,” he said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille. ”It is our responsibility to give them the tools to succeed, and that is through education reform.”
Alario also said budget problems for higher education continue to be a concern within the Senate.
“It is important the actions we take have a positive impact on higher education,” he said.  
Sen. Barrow Peacock, R-Shreveport, said he was inspired by his constituents to join the Senate this term.
Peacock said he is most looking forward to gaining “a better understanding of how state government works and changes that can be made to improve it.”
While the governor’s education reform package will be contentious within the Senate this term, Peacock said students can expect further changes to higher education.
When asked what approaches the Senate will take to improve education within the state, Peacock said he believes “streamlining our universities to focus on their role, scope and mission” to be the best plan of action.
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]