[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6072475,"mediaKeyId","3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146","parentId",3021185,"title","Senate reviews FY26 budgets for special‑education and state‑sponsored schools; LSMSA seeks salary‑schedule funding","audioSeconds",718,"startMs",4803000,"endMs",5521000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146&start=4803&end=5521","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146/thumbnail_4803000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6072475/Louisiana/Senate-reviews-FY26-budgets-for-specialeducation-and-statesponsored-schools-LSMSA-seeks-salaryschedule-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072475-16e3cdf7806d1117b8a8aacd949736b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147545&Signature=M2AYCsXbh~hyz5GSdFFmVnWoONqgYLyh1YzpPKX3vMMLBhxXhUqI2NMjME1BucvpI5PiQuSKidwrudcKRYMwdDe04FsAXXo4ZOSaCytpWBuw-bL-mTrkSOmOC8pg7bqlh13aGV6xONfKYeYzM1q9dH31cmol9w8BFrwU9qp5WtkyAI25hDcfLUsMmmyMCovD~FxkyDtErHrb4GllmzkbR4Nv6-wgNpzgrNk5hAAiL~udHXjz99xtqVBzu9-yYRCJkd7Zb7vzMZEYMGBtp1Pwg91MV951ZcVVJsGP3dN92XgpxlaiTbchJvpyVm5BMJkB8YILzfumXvn7G~~ZeHOB0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Fiscal Services and representatives from the Special School District and state‑sponsored schools briefed the Senate Committee on Finance on FY26 budget requests and program performance on May 21. May Hsu of Senate Fiscal delivered the department‑level overview; leaders from each school described operational results and specific needs.

May Hsu summarized FY26 recommendations for the department that houses the Special School District and five special schools: the Special School District (Louisiana School for the Deaf, Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, special‑schools programs), the Jimmy D. Long Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts (LSMSA), Thrive Academy, Ecole Pointe‑au‑Chien, Louisiana Educational Television Authority (LPB) and the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCA). Hsu noted that the department's FY26 budget is largely general‑funded (about 60%) and includes both discretionary and nondiscretionary items; the Special School District showed a small net reduction in TO positions driven by vacancies.

Special School District leaders said they used attrition savings to unify teacher/para pay across programs and reported improved school performance indicators; the district serves residential students at the deaf and visually impaired campuses and operates statewide programs in juvenile and developmental facilities.

LSMSA officials described both program strengths and facilities and compensation needs. Executive Director Steve Horton and Deputy Director Bill Ebarb told the committee LSMSA delivers college‑level coursework and said students graduate with large amounts of merit‑based college aid. They asked the legislature to fund the school's board‑adopted salary schedule (a statutory requirement under referenced state statute) and related benefits to retain faculty with masters and doctoral credentials. Ebarb also described one‑time capital needs that the Division of Administration has partially addressed for FY26 (window replacements, dormitory shower replacement, auditorium repairs) and said campus security and resource officer funding will be discussed in future appropriations.

Thrive Academy Superintendent Paul Sampson presented student outcomes showing the school outperformed economic peers on several LEAP exams and was designated a top gains honoree by the state. Sampson also summarized an economic‑impact study prepared for the school: attending Thrive was projected to increase lifetime earnings for the class of 2025 and produce state savings from reduced social‑services dependence. Sampson provided concrete metrics (college plans for graduates, college credit earned) and asked continued support for the boarding model that serves students from underresourced communities.

Ecole Pointe‑au‑Chien representatives said the bilingual French immersion elementary school is in year two of state operations, is expanding one grade per year, and has a plan to lower per‑pupil state cost as enrollment rises. NOCA President Silas Cooper and CFO Anna Schwab described NOCA's artist‑apprentice model, outreach into parishes statewide, and a per‑student cost that falls substantially when part‑time and outreach participants are included.

Committee members asked for follow‑up materials: LSMSA was asked for a precise estimate to fully fund the salary schedule and a prioritized list of facility repairs; Thrive and Pointe‑au‑Chien were asked for enrollment projections and per‑pupil cost trajectories; NOCA agreed to provide additional breakdowns showing outreach participants and effective per‑student state cost.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance Senate 04/08/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Fiscal and leaders from the Special School District, LSMSA, Thrive Academy, Ecole Pointe‑au‑Chien and NOCA presented FY26 budget details and program updates to the Senate Committee on Finance on May 21.","taxTitle","Finance, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Louisiana","taxId",24289,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6072481,"Wildlife and Fisheries faces conservation‑fund collapse; agency seeks general funds while cutting federal grant authority",1044,1862000,2906000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146&start=1862&end=2906","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146/thumbnail_1862000.jpg","/articles/6072481/Louisiana/Wildlife-and-Fisheries-faces-conservationfund-collapse-agency-seeks-general-funds-while-cutting-federal-grant-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072481-2d3afb98d52171519cc660162b917598/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147545&Signature=TeW3BvOlP2hPL9OA-fpR4D0tdHqvvL5eFG2nvLqMGavnU7Fb5KVEwmCMZtY1sb9ttPhKsgXXpeTnjz617WXYISmBq3krN2GwE3gyNSBaFncDk97k~RmqWZxGx7avhcNloUiKrFHPRtaQA8umNtzWtY-YLlWyUhaEv-SbhTOComFfwfACUsV-IyDJn217V7cUa0ixkS3g-kPWopEqATRCzjNcMYYxlXd1k4JEGlC3rJiaIpoNQSIRodwVxdk652psJ2O8vq2Dzkw5izD1ynoFg6CJBGhLs-4Fk8RekE5S5jCqSG9szCoMBNhB74jL0yApgttFEEs55DjB~5s7aOtqmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Finance received the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries's FY26 budget overview and an agency briefing on revenue shortfalls and program adjustments on May 21. Mark Borns of Senate Fiscal Services presented funding trends; Acting Secretary Tyler Bosworth and Undersecretary Bridal Buckland answered legislators' questions.

Borns told the committee the department's FY26 recommended total is roughly $199.4 million with 786 TO positions. He said statutory dedications provide about 39% of the department's financing and federal funds about 25%. Borns warned the conservation fund 'is experiencing a revenue shortfall': \"Within the last 10 years, royalties on land have decreased by 77.7%. Mineral revenue decreased by 51% over the past 10 years.\" He said the conservation fund balance that had supported operations is now depleted.

Acting Secretary Bosworth described steps the department has taken to restructure divisions, improve enforcement pay to aid retention, and leverage partnerships such as a $12 million cooperative endeavor agreement with the Coastal Conservation Association for reef expansion. He noted program successes including a new black bear lottery and expanded red snapper season management.

Undersecretary Bridal Buckland explained why federal grant authority declined in the FY26 recommendation: many fisheries disaster and other federal grants that inflated recent budgets have ended. \"We're just right sizing the budget with the federal programs that we currently have,\" she said, adding the reductions do not reflect cuts to the department's table of organization but to pass‑through grant authority.

Lawmakers pressed agency officials on the conservation fund shortfall. Bosworth described revenue trends: royalties on department lands have fallen from roughly $66 million in earlier years to a projected $9–11 million; the department is seeking alternatives. Bosworth said the agency will request $40 million in state general funds in the FY26 omnibus to restore operating stability: \"That's gonna be until either until we find either recovered revenue. I mean, we're—I'm hoping 5 years.\" He and others said the $40 million was intended as a multiyear bridge while royalty and other revenues are rebuilt.

Senators also questioned equipment and capital needs. Bosworth and staff detailed large one‑time capital requests for acquisitions and major repairs for Office of Management and campus equipment; the department described leasing some heavy equipment to reduce federal match constraints.

Committee members asked about the effect of pending coastal lawsuits on industry interest and long‑term royalties; agency officials agreed continued litigation and lower production have reduced mineral receipts and constrained the conservation fund.

Bosworth said the department will continue to pursue federal grant opportunities (USDA/NRCS, CWD surveillance) and other revenue sources but warned operations will remain at risk until royalties or alternative recurring revenues recover.

The agency and committee agreed to continue follow‑up on the proposed general‑fund request and equipment lists.","The Senate Committee on Finance heard the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' FY26 budget presentation and a briefing on a depleted conservation fund and falling royalty revenues on May 21.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6072486,"Senate finance panel reviews DEQ budget; secretary highlights waste‑tire cleanup and permitting changes",1212,68000,1280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146&start=68&end=1280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3021185-5b0291f58a3b86e86afb4efdf75b8146/thumbnail_68000.jpg","/articles/6072486/Louisiana/Senate-finance-panel-reviews-DEQ-budget-secretary-highlights-wastetire-cleanup-and-permitting-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6072486-df02575ad7bd7ceba0b509628dd05d4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147545&Signature=gg1gN5URnbJUsN9v1PlbV773akthM-jS4V7H6gyq0nLSuPC59Bz3KIE~rcKE2pvg5uV9Ot0vEFE~Wo~pkn8Lzkguk2g5Y1t2SAmpDl33Riq4LLY17bdhOBUv7R0wN6XZnu0cUEEwXFY3A9gcqXDCsioLJtCu3lIoExYZYjQoxS0hksPYpzhbuXhiWmNWNqSIiYUJTwUT1hAO9OjLI~yxyxLcpxJcxUsks7exhLhYm7goMz8DAVYDHrUracw3Ma9b-~boYGRrLhYzSAn7RzjDWaVDFQcBTxg57gUEi2bozhICl4FjJBSWYHaSwZe8qAsNjkh78HQCSSc6P5~MItw49w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Finance heard an overview of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's FY26 executive budget and a progress report on legacy waste‑tire sites on May 21. Mark Barnes of Senate Fiscal Services gave the budget briefing, and DEQ Secretary Aurelia Giacometto outlined outreach and cleanup steps the agency is taking.

Barnes said the department's recommended FY26 budget reflects long‑term growth in dedicated funds: \"The change from actual to recommended for FY '18 through FY '26 is an increase of 41.9%\" and fees and sales generate the majority of DEQ's funding. He told the committee that dedicated revenues make up 69% of the department's budget, with federal funds accounting for roughly 13%.

Giacometto said DEQ is working to keep permitting capacity aligned with planned private investment and cited two recent executive orders from the governor directing permit modernization. \"We really are on the cusp of that southern renaissance,\" she said, and added the department is positioning itself to support large projects while maintaining environmental review.

The committee pressed DEQ on waste tires, a recurring issue for legislators. Giacometto described a series of six regional town halls DEQ held in 2024 to document how illegal dumping and regulated waste tires affect parishes and municipalities differently. The secretary said DEQ will issue a grant to provide relief to local governments and that the FY26 recommendation includes $1.3 million moved to address legacy waste‑tire piles, including the Cottonport site where a 2022 fire prompted evacuations. She said state teams worked with banks and other agencies to clear liens and make cleanup possible: \"We have worked with a couple of the other state agencies where there's liens on the property to get those removed, because ultimately we want to be able to get the site cleaned up.\"

Senators discussed potential incentive models to encourage tire collection, comparing existing disposal‑fee reimbursement to deposit models used for beverage containers. Committee members asked whether local collection points and tracking (name/license plate) could be used to support reimbursement programs; DEQ replied that parish drop‑off sites and four state‑approved tire processors currently handle collected tires, and that the agency is exploring additional processing technologies and value‑creation strategies.

Barnes also told the committee DEQ recommended lower budget authority for a number of nonrecurring items in FY26, including about $7.6 million in reduced nonrecurring carryforwards and roughly $3.3 million less in Volkswagen settlement contracting as those projects near completion.

The presentation closed with DEQ staff and senators agreeing to continue discussion about local collection strategies and potential grant details.

A follow‑up: DEQ and Senate Fiscal staff said more detailed grant and program language will be developed before allocation; specifics of any reimbursement program were not provided in the hearing.","Senate Fiscal Services and Department of Environmental Quality presented the agency's FY26 executive budget. DEQ said fees and self‑generated revenue account for most of its funding, Volkswagen settlement disbursements are winding down, and $1.3 million was added for legacy waste‑tire cleanup including work at Cottonport.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate reviews FY26 budgets for special‑education and state‑sponsored schools; LSMSA seeks salary‑schedule funding

Wildlife and Fisheries faces conservation‑fund collapse; agency seeks general funds while cutting federal grant authority

Senate finance panel reviews DEQ budget; secretary highlights waste‑tire cleanup and permitting changes