Louisiana’s legislature faces a vote today, June 17, 2026, by 5 p.m. On whether to approve Gov. Jeff Landry’s plan to fund teacher pay stipends by cutting $168 million from K-12 school operations budgets statewide.
$168 million in K-12 school operations funding Landry proposes redirecting to continue teacher and support staff stipends, per the Louisiana Department of Education
Two-thirds of members in both the House and Senate must vote yes by 5 p.m. Today for the plan to advance. Landry issued the proposal through an executive order two weeks ago. Under it, the $2,000 stipends for teachers and $1,000 stipends for support staff that Louisiana has paid for the past three years would continue, but the cost would be shifted from state funds to local school operations budgets.
Which School Funds Are at Risk
Landry specified the cuts cannot touch classroom instruction, transportation, food programs, or school security. That leaves insurance, building maintenance, grounds upkeep, and general administration exposed, according to the state education department. Landry also directed school districts to draw on their savings and reserve funds to offset cuts “where feasible,” a requirement critics say places an unequal burden on lower-income districts with smaller reserves.
On Monday, Landry announced an adjustment: districts that already gave teachers raises of $2,000 or more this year can use the state’s stipend allocation to backfill their budgets rather than implement the cut. The governor’s office added that districts would only qualify for this exemption if they met specific conditions, though full details were still being confirmed at press time.
Undecided Lawmakers Say Superintendents Are Raising Alarms
Senate President Cameron Henry (R-Metairie) and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier (R-Eunice) both back the plan. But rank-and-file members from both parties remain undecided after hearing from local school officials.
“There are concerns out there, especially from the superintendents. That is primarily who I’m hearing from.”
Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, Louisiana House of Representatives, June 2026
Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael Waguespack released an analysis Tuesday concluding most districts could absorb the reduction. Waguespack is hired by state lawmakers but is also a Landry political ally, a conflict of interest the Louisiana Illuminator noted in its reporting.
What You Can Do Before the 5 p.m. Deadline Today
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Call the Louisiana Legislature switchboard at (225) 342-6945 right now. Ask for your representative and senator. Tell them to vote no on Landry’s stipend proposal unless the full $168 million is replaced with a funding source that does not cut school operations budgets. The vote closes at 5 p.m. Today.
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Find your specific legislator’s direct line at legis.la.gov/legis/FindMyLegislators.aspx. Ask them by name: “Will you vote no on the governor’s plan to cut $168 million from school operations to fund stipends?”
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Email Gov. Landry’s office at gov.louisiana.gov/contact and tell him to fund stipends without shifting costs to local school budgets. Reference the operations cuts specifically: insurance, building maintenance, and administration.
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Forward this to Louisiana teachers, parents, and school board members in your network. Rep. Firment said superintendent pressure is what he is actually hearing. Local school administrators and principals who call their legislators before 5 p.m. Today can still influence undecided votes.
Sources
- School leaders confused over Gov. Landry’s plan to cut school funding for stipends — Louisiana Illuminator (2026-06-17)
- Ahead of crucial vote, Landry, legislative leaders push back on teacher stipend opposition — Louisiana Illuminator (2026-06-17)
- Some California schools get three times more funding than others. Here’s why — CalMatters (2026-06-17)
Louisiana Illuminator: Landry and Legislative Leaders Push Back on Teacher Stipend Opposition
Louisiana Legislature: Find Your Legislators Tool
Louisiana Department of Education: Minimum Foundation Program Overview
Office of Gov. Jeff Landry: Contact Page
[Quote: “There are concerns out there, especially from the superintendents. That is primarily who I’m hearing from.”, Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, Louisiana House of Representatives.
Louisiana Illuminator]