Louisiana governor proposes doubling school choice budget; state opts into Trump program

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has proposed doubling the budget for the state’s universal school choice program for the 2026-27 school year.

In his budget proposal, the Republican requested $88 million from the Louisiana State Legislature, a significant increase from last year’s $43.5 million appropriation.

“While I am proud of the work we are doing to expand school choice here in Louisiana, more work remains to be done,” Landry wrote Jan. 30. “Every student and family should have the freedom to choose a learning environment that best fits their needs!” 

The LA GATOR (Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise) scholarship program launched last year and gained a massive response from Louisiana families. 

More than 39,000 applications were submitted, and 35,000 were approved for the 2025-26 school year. 

While Landry requested over $90 million for the program – which would have funded about 12,000 scholarships – the Republican-led Legislature only appropriated $44 million for 6,000 scholarships. The Senate, in particular, advocated for gradual expansion, as the state was transitioning out of a prior school choice program. 

One year later, Landry is seeking to expand the program again – and policy experts argue the state has plenty of funds. 

“Louisiana continues to end each fiscal year with a healthy budget surplus while having sufficient money to fund critical infrastructure, local projects, and even the work of non-governmental organizations,” writes Dr. Erin Bendily, an education expert and senior vice president of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy. 

“Most dollars directed to LA GATOR are merely a swap from what the state is paying to educate children anyway in government-run schools that families are trying to exit.” 

In fact, funding school choice might even require less funding than public schools. 

The average LA GATOR scholarship is worth $7,250 while Louisiana public schools spend nearly $14,000 annually per pupil. 

“Instead of trapping [families] in schools that aren’t meeting their child’s needs,” Bendily concludes, “why not try letting them decide where and how to meet their child’s needs?” 

In December, Landry also opted Louisiana into the new federal school choice program championed by President Trump. The program takes effect in 2027, but states are signaling their intentions now to help schools and scholarship granting organizations prepare.  

“This is yet another way we’re expanding opportunity and helping every child reach their full potential,” Landry said.