LSU Manship School News Service

Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax plan hit its first hurdle as lawmakers resisted expanding sales taxes to more goods and services. However, the House advanced another part of the plan and approved pay raises for teachers and school staff.

Federal funds provided $21.4 billion, or 50.8%, of the $42.1 billion Louisiana state budget in fiscal 2024. Louisiana is usually ranked within the top five states with the greatest percentage of their budgets coming from federal funding, and residents who depend on Medicaid for health insurance or on food stamps could be particularly vulnerable.

Gov. Jeff Landry opened the 2025 legislative session today with a warning: When it comes to fixing Louisiana's insurance crisis, personal injury lawyers and insurance companies are in for a reckoning. Landry called the skyrocketing insurance rate a “dark cloud” that is looming over the state.

The House Education Committee on Wednesday advanced a bill to update funding for TOPS college scholarships, create a new award for the highest-scoring students, and expand eligibility for returning medical and dental students.