BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Senate Finance Committee has advanced a set of budget bills that restore critical education funding and allocate newly available state resources, setting the stage for final negotiations in the final weeks of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session.
Among the key provisions in the proposed budget is the restoration of $30 million for high-dose tutoring programs aimed at improving academic outcomes for K-12 students. The committee also maintained $199 million for teacher stipends, preserving the state’s investment in its educators.
The updated budget utilizes an additional $60 million in state general funds that became available following a recent meeting of the Revenue Estimating Committee.
“After hearing public testimony last week, the committee unanimously adopted a set of amendments that address many of the needs our communities and families depend upon,” said Senate Finance Chair Glen Womack. “This is a responsible budget that brings some wins home for our state and I look forward to moving it favorably in the Senate.”
Senate President Cameron Henry echoed Womack’s sentiments, noting that this year’s budget reflects major legislative priorities.
“Education priorities such as high dosage tutoring, teacher stipends, and the funds necessary to transfer the University of New Orleans back to the LSU System were all able to be included, reflecting the Senate’s contributions to the budgetary process this year,” Henry said.
Henry also affirmed his commitment to continued collaboration with the House and the Governor’s administration, saying lawmakers will work together in the coming days to develop amendments that reflect shared priorities.
The budget bills now move to the full Senate for debate before being returned to the House of Representatives for final concurrence. The 2025 Regular Legislative Session is scheduled to adjourn no later than Thursday, June 12 at 6:00 p.m.