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Needs, Wants and TOPS

LOSFA

The House Education committee advanced a billTuesday changing TOPS allocations during a budget shortfall. Committee chair Nancy Landry is the author.

“If there was a five percent shortage, then everyone would get five percent less,” she explained.

Currently, only those with the highest ACT scores would continue getting the scholarships – until the money runs out. “For the first time," she says, "we may have a shortage in TOPS and we want to have an equitable way to make those cuts if we have to make them.” 

Landry, a Republican representing Lafayette, clearly isn’t sure the changes House Appropriations made to the budget are going to stick. 

“The amendments before you now fully funds TOPS,” said House Appropriations Chair Cameron Henry on Monday.   Henry offered amendments to the Executive Budget protecting the scholarship program by making deeper cuts to other state agencies.

“While the Governor’s recommended amendments put higher education last in the percentage of funding their targeted amount, the amendments you have before you put them among the top,” said Henry. 

Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t believe that’s wise.

Speaking at the Baton Rouge Press Club Monday, the Governor said, “the Appropriations Committee Chairman, Representative Henry, is proposing several different things to fully fund TOPS. I think it’s a bad idea to simply to take across-the-board cuts. That’s the easy thing to do, not the right thing to do." 

The Appropriations committee approved the changes to the budget, displaying the stark differences that still exist between some House Republicans and the Democratic Governor. Henry made it clear where he stands, saying the $600 million shortfall really comes down to a difference between what is needed, and what is wanted.

“The $600 million figure is actually the difference between the state appropriated based on [Revenue Estimating Conference] forecast, and the Governor’s targeted amount of money that he would actually like to have,” said Henry. 

The full House takes up the budget bill Thursday.