Gov. Kathleen Blanco announced Thursday the 2007 executive budget reserving 50 percent of the new monies for education reforms at a press conference at the Capitol.
Blanco said $611 million dollars will go toward pre-K through higher education, which would be “the single largest investment in education in Louisiana’s history.”
“If we want to improve our education system, we must do more than talk the talk,” Blanco said. “We have to walk the walk, too.”
The plan proposes $115 million for higher education formula funding. The state will cover 100 percent of formula funding for the first time since 1981, Blanco said.
“This is a huge step forward for LSU,” William Jenkins, LSU System president, told The Daily Reveille. “It means a lot for the whole System.”
Blanco also proposed a $30 million dollar increase in higher education faculty pay.
The plan provides $15 million to establish the state’s first substantial need-based higher education scholarship program.
“I want Louisiana to say to any student who works hard and wants a higher education that they deserve the opportunity to succeed,” Blanco said.
Student Government President Chris Odinet president, said the implementation of a need-based scholarship program translates into higher student-traffic for the University.
Odinet said despite ongoing criticisms received by the governor, he commends Blanco for her commitment to education.
“People can say whatever they want about Gov. Blanco, but no other governor has done this for us,” Odinet said. “And by us I mean the students – all 200,000 of us.”
Blanco also proposed more monies for pre-K through 12 education.
The plan allows a $2,400 per teacher pay raise, $16 million for the High School Redesign program and $30 million for the LA4 Early Childhood program.
Blanco said more emphasis on education will curb the state’s poverty rate and heighten per capita income. She said the plan could help cut the gap in national per capita income between Louisiana and the nation by 75 to 90 percent.
“Louisiana could move from the bottom in states’ per capita income to the top third or fourth,” Blanco said. “This should remove any doubt education is the anecdote to poverty.”
Sen. Chris Ullo, D-Harvey and chair of the Senate Education Committee, said he was concerned that some parts of Blanco’s proposal were unrealistic.
Blanco said if the Legislature does not fully support the plan, she will amend it as necessary.
Some say they are concerned that hurricane recovery may take a back seat to education.
Blanco said she plans to provide $10 million to hurricane-affected campuses for faculty recruitment, retention and research capabilities, which is a step toward hurricane recovery.
Jenkins said if the Legislature fails to approve the proposed education measures, “in five to 10 years, we’ll be on the path to oblivion.”
“I’m passionate about this,” Jenkins said. “We are running out of time to get this accomplished.”
—–Contact Leah Square at [email protected]