Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry visits Catholic schools to boost support of ESA bill

METAIRIE, La. ( WGNO ) — Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry is hoping to gain support for a bill that would allow some students to use state money to get private school education.

On Thursday, May 16, Landry was joined by representatives for Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana and the Archdiocese of New Orleans Catholic Education and Faith Formation for appearances at Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie and Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School in Mandeville to make their pitch.

The bill would create education scholarship accounts, also known as ESAs.

“When parents are committed to understanding the value of education, the government should not be in their way,” said Landry.

ESAs would give public money to families of eligible students to pay for private school.

“This phase-in approach starts with special needs and the lowest income,” the governor explained. “We get applications through that. We find out how many people want to participate. We then move over. Then, we start moving up the rung.”

Groups in opposition of the bill, like the Jefferson Federation of Teachers, a Jefferson Parish teachers’ union, say public dollars belong in public schools.

Supporters of the bill say ESAs strengthen the public school system by giving families a choice.

“Believe me, Catholic school isn’t for everyone,” said Executive Director and Superintendent of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Catholic Education and Faith Formation Dr. RaeNell Houston. “Everybody won’t choose us, and that’s okay. That’s okay. But for those who would like to have their child in Catholic school who don’t have the means to do so, this is life changing.”

Landry admits it would take $1.8 million to start the program and another $50 million if all eligible families in phase one wanted to participate.

“We get caught up in money all the time,” Landry said. “It just tears me up because these kids, there’s no price we won’t pay to make sure they get a quality education.”

Landry did not take questions from reporters during the panel.

The bill passed the Senate following a lengthy debate Thursday night and now heads to the House.

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