BATON ROUGE, La. – The House of Representatives advanced a balanced state budget bill without raising taxes, while also cutting government waste through smart fiscal discipline. House Bill 1 (HB1) now heads to the Senate, fully funds several educational priorities including the LA Gator Program and the stipend for teachers and support staff.
HB1, along with a full package of corresponding budget bills, reflects a responsible approach through streamlining government operations and redirecting savings to priority areas.
Key investments in the FY 2026 budget include:
• $93.5 million for LA Gator, Louisiana’s school choice program, empowering families with more educational options
• $25.3 million for the Office of State Police to offset reduced self-generated revenue and maintain critical public safety operations
• $49.4 million for the Office of Behavioral Health to fund three new mental health hospitals
• $33.6 million for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to replace the Conservation Fund with State General Fund dollars
• $32.1 million for the Department of Health to rebase Medicaid rates for nursing homes
The budget also directs targeted funding to support families, seniors, and educators across Louisiana:
• $7 million for domestic violence shelters
• $2.5 million for school safety programs
• $199.5 million for $2,000 stipends for teachers and $1,000 for support staff
• $2.9 million to 750 Community Choice Waivers for in-home senior citizen support
• Maintained strong funding in early childhood education
“We began this budget process facing a significant funding gap,” said Speaker of the House Phillip R. DeVillier. “The House met that challenge by making responsible cuts, eliminating waste, and protecting key priorities like education. We held the line on spending while preserving funding for students, teachers, and school safety. While there is still a long way to go before finalizing a budget, the House is sending the Senate a balanced plan that moves the state forward and limits overall spending.”
“The House found savings by working hard and digging deep,” said House Appropriations Chair Jack McFarland. “We scrubbed agency budgets, cut unnecessary spending, and redirected funds to the programs that matter most to Louisiana families. This budget reflects disciplined, conservative leadership that protects core services without growing government.”
The House has also advanced a series of tax reform measures intended to be brought before voters as a more focused alternative to the broad, complex amendment that failed on March 29. Voters made it clear they wanted a simpler, more transparent approach—broken into smaller parts for better understanding and review. The House’s proposal includes reducing the personal income tax rate to 2.75% and modifying the standard deduction for seniors.
“House members I’ve spoken to are committed to advancing tax reform measures that return more of our citizens’ hard-earned money while freeing up revenue to invest in Louisiana’s future,” said Ways and Means Chair Julie Emerson. “We have an opportunity to modernize our tax structure, reduce burdens on families and businesses, and still support the priorities that make our state a better place to live. I look forward to continued conversations with both the House and Senate to build a responsible, long-term solution for our constituents.”
Final adjournment of the 2025 Legislative Session must occur no later than 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 12th