January 29, 2026

Statement by EdTrust in Louisiana on the 2026 State Budget Cycle

Baton Rouge, LA —Louisiana is entering the 2026–27 budget cycle and is facing a familiar and consequential budget choice: whether to prioritize investments that strengthen public education or to continue expanding programs without the guardrails needed to ensure equity and impact. The executive budget resets spending by removing one-time dollars while proposing significant new investments elsewhere and includes a major expansion of the LA GATOR education savings account program. How lawmakers resolve these decisions will directly shape what students experience in classrooms across the state.

For Louisiana students, this budget debate is not abstract. Funding decisions determine whether classrooms have teachers, whether students who struggle with reading get timely interventions, whether buses run reliably, and whether early learning seats are available for young children who need them most. Public schools educate the majority of students in Louisiana, and stable, equitable funding through the Minimum Foundation Program remains the backbone of student success. When budgets fail to protect that foundation, students feel it immediately through larger class sizes, fewer supports, and widening opportunity gaps.

As lawmakers set priorities, we must also plan for new state costs as House Resolution 1 (HR 1) comes into effect. The new federal law would shift substantial SNAP costs onto states (including raising the state’s share of administrative costs and adding a requirement that requires states to cover a percentage of benefit costs), and Louisiana’s own executive budget already flags a SNAP state-match increase of about $95 million. Without new revenue and safeguards, those obligations could severely impact our K-12 classrooms and early learning opportunities.

Tramelle Howard, J.D., state director of EdTrust in Louisiana, emphasizes that this moment demands clarity and discipline. “Budgets are moral documents,” Howard said. “They show us, in plain terms, what we value. If we say we care about improving outcomes for Louisiana’s students, then we must fund what works: strong public schools, early learning, literacy, and the supports that help students persist and succeed.”

EdTrust in Louisiana believes that this budget cycle should accomplish three core goals. First, it must protect and strengthen public school funding, ensuring that the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) keeps pace with student needs and rising costs. Second, it should sustain and expand early childhood and evidence-based academic supports, particularly in literacy and tutoring, where Louisiana has already seen progress when investments are targeted and consistent. Third, any expansion of alternative programs such as LA GATOR must be paired with clear accountability, transparency, and equity guardrails, so that new dollars do not come at the expense of the students and schools with the greatest needs.

Howard cautioned against moving too quickly without safeguards. “Expanding programs without strong oversight risks pulling scarce resources from classrooms where students are waiting for a reading specialist, a counselor, or a safe learning environment. We should be asking one simple question of every dollar in this budget: does it measurably improve outcomes for students who have been underserved?”

Ultimately, EdTrust in Louisiana hopes this new budget reflects a shared commitment to fairness, stability, and results. A student-centered budget can strengthen Louisiana’s workforce, support families, and build on recent academic gains, if lawmakers keep equity at the center of their decisions. We stand ready to work with state leaders to ensure the 2026 budget delivers on its promise: giving every Louisiana student the resources, opportunities, and support they need to thrive.