[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6191652,"mediaKeyId","4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7","parentId",4545940,"title","Water Sector Commission's recommendations for $2.19 million in additional funding approved by JLCB","audioSeconds",91,"startMs",2059000,"endMs",2150000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7&start=2059&end=2150","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7/thumbnail_2059000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191652/Louisiana/Water-Sector-Commissions-recommendations-for-219-million-in-additional-funding-approved-by-JLCB","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191652-bb9c42c3ff005bfb8bb4e21a9ddbb3e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934531&Signature=Pg-MvvPFA5-VFB578UK0itISeTlCBmwSb402sFgcmLnRbLkD8hMzhAW4BtVKLYOCWZT8xzgpWs4PSXMGfCb2ZoVAX-hAsn449TgNn2DRLuPZhuTRV8c6s1lSpgCtgYYUZ2ajoNO07tRV8KGGf6Cdaq1miolZPXqJFlrMUVEyNpptAqy58ZREurN4VFFvJ8y3AugwHdFaV1lXxc4Z~xDWN0aIgraYv07Hs8u95jtQ9Opb80Qu0oivtemHuH~O~0d-lo2d6EGDAVNB82vbn5f61a9zKegJ6bQ150yN-FbGgd4lzmSv3SB4xZkTTgc0qPEmNxYCC50uqxn1FGXwWoQZVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Louisiana Legislature","date","2025-06-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved the Water Sector Commission's recommendation to allocate an additional $2,194,066 in funding for three ongoing water projects after the commission met April 29.

Representative Zirane reported the commission approved \"a total of $2,194,066 in additional water sector funding for 3 ongoing water projects,\" and moved to include all three items for a global vote. The items were described in a letter included in committee packets; Representative Zirane named the specific projects as Greenbrier Prairie Bass Water System, Point Chantilly Water System (referred to in the packet), and Southeast Waterworks District No. 2 and moved approval of the commission recommendations. Representative Raine moved the item on the committee floor and the motion carried with no opposition.

Because the supplemental amounts exceeded 5% of original grant awards, the commission required JLCB approval; the committee recorded no opposition to the approvals. Representative Zirane offered to answer questions and noted the funding corrections and additional allotments were documented in the meeting packet letters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","JLCB Jun 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The JLCB approved three corrections/additional funding items from the Water Sector Commission totaling $2,194,066 for ongoing water projects that exceeded 5% of original grant awards.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature LA, Louisiana","taxId",78558,"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},6191657,"Odyssey contract approved to launch LA Gator July 1; lawmakers press for clarity on priority rules and vendor fees",794,1130000,1924000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7&start=1130&end=1924","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7/thumbnail_1130000.jpg","/articles/6191657/Louisiana/Odyssey-contract-approved-to-launch-LA-Gator-July-1-lawmakers-press-for-clarity-on-priority-rules-and-vendor-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191657-edb11a5b5f0a3944c14bd92945e41118/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934531&Signature=TF2~-H8~0LJxERHRi03jUISLQRpSk56ZbX62NRvpnudLbg8GO0jLcCt-iso1FyUTfCD0F6ipN5ha7QbXEosWNtg4GOeIa86GvitkEYdxEmcv9eufhtDgaCvgWfccrkuNuZKygOl1VKV5YHuU6OTwM0Y194yJ3qo9i7oLfOzJMCTskl3XVkH0UKLtD5ynZ4fdOxm5ESWKMJBTWNhnLlvk2HJedPNITrW5ks~aPIXs8bhfauOyFMLtTPa0zEc1Ecp3R9YcYDS7fjULge8ue-F1LWkbZxyb6y6T8ckephmilyMAP2nE0Wbz1aqHbsBRWOGqepAlImm4aHGxVg82QTTA1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved the Department of Education's contract with Braidal Class d/b/a Odyssey (contract referenced under Act 1 of 2025) so the LA Gator program can launch on July 1.

Cade Brumley of the Department of Education told the committee the contract had been approved under Act 1 of 2025 and awaited the committee's approval so the program could begin. \"We have again requested for this particular contract, to be approved. It's already been approved, per Act 1 of 2025, with Bessie by unanimous vote. And at this point, it waits for your approval, so that we can successfully launch LA Gator on, July 1,\" Brumley said.

Representative McFarland pressed for clarification on funding and award counts. She noted the governor's executive budget proposed a $50,000,000 increase that would have supported 5,358 awards at an average of $9,333, while the enacted appropriation provided about $43.5 million and funded 6,106 awards at an average award of $7,127. Department staff explained that the appropriation effectively backfills the voucher program numbers and that the $143.50 per account vendor management fee (per student) will apply in the coming year once accounts exist.

\"It's a $143.50 per student to manage the account,\" said Department of Education staff in response to the committee's question about the per‑account fee. The committee heard that the $143.50 fee applies beginning in fiscal year 2026 when accounts are active; the initial contract activity in 2025 focused on platform development and application processing.

Committee discussion also focused on how the statute's listed eligibility categories and BESE's (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) rules intersect when funds are insufficient. Representative Henry asked the department to explain differences between the statute's eligible categories within phases and BESE's priority order. Department staff explained Act 1 lists eligible students within each phase and BESE set a priority order within a phase to determine which eligible students are admitted first when money is limited. The department said BESE prioritized voucher students first, then students from families at or below 250% of poverty or students with disabilities, then siblings of participants, then other eligible students.

Members recommended coordination between the governor's stated priorities and BESE's rules so parents and districts receive consistent guidance if future funding is allocated differently. The Department of Education told the committee it has two full‑time TO positions on the fiscal note to oversee the vendor finances and school/provider quality and said the department is executing the law as written. Representative McFarland moved to approve the Odyssey contract; the motion carried with no recorded opposition.","The committee approved the Department of Education's contract with Odyssey to operate LA Gator starting July 1. Members questioned funding levels, per‑student vendor fees and how BESE rules, the statute and governor priorities will interact when funds are insufficient.",{"_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},6191662,"JLCB approves higher‑education deferred maintenance project list, $25M add to fund and multiple change orders",469,278000,747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7&start=278&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7/thumbnail_278000.jpg","/articles/6191662/Louisiana/JLCB-approves-highereducation-deferred-maintenance-project-list-25M-add-to-fund-and-multiple-change-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191662-6b4c4553730baf88f3a497a7baee498e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934531&Signature=dfqW7GApPYmMudgpCVA39k10kj5yz3GyEgjTmiqOXl0NuiuCL-ve7uJepwjAC3yH1YmwBHBt8uFC1aEEAvo9pPOg2daoYOqOBF1pCR9~OfCdx6qOUytN3cqXq84QCpTfH-tgXJwR6y8bTaBgff9SL26iSzybD2EOVnmJKWa6SllG1mcSDjB-qZNziFBWBwSjQy~80bwQja6PydfyisS8KTRTuvH4lnQp1~LDKTI2ixWpkubKeRq8unXB7ZWyjafS7jDLuSiSdbPc0eGpeMKDlDEOa2yG-mPW~CQtLfQOeXw9Gbsq6eVzhxnLUHkinU7iyQqmtYanZh7FaueTsHXZ4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved a list of deferred maintenance projects for higher education created under the 2024 legislative session and accepted several university change orders and a supplemental project authorization.

\"You provided $75,000,000 in deferred maintenance funding,\" said Kim Hunter Reed, commissioner of higher education, as she updated the committee on the new fund created in the 2024 session (\"Act 7 51\" in the meeting record). Reed said the systems prioritized projects across campuses and that $66,200,000 has been allocated for 76 projects currently underway. She said the legislature also provided an additional $25,000,000 to the fund for a statewide campus facility assessment.

Roger Husser of the Office of Facility Planning and Control (FP&C) asked the committee to approve adding 255 projects to the preapproved list that campuses can draw from as they prioritize work. \"We do recommend that you approve the 255 projects that have been proposed,\" Husser said; Senator DeBara moved approval and the motion carried with no opposition.

The committee also approved a supplemental authorization for the LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans to increase the project authority for a new data center by $1,000,000, raising the authorized total from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000; the center will fund the additional cost itself, the committee was told. Representative DeWitt moved approval; the motion carried with no opposition.

FP&C presented four larger change orders for approval covering university capital projects:

- A $159,918 change order for the Health Science Complex (Sugar Hall and Caldwell Hall) at the University of Louisiana at Monroe to address degraded roof drains, replacement of unbraced masonry walls and HVAC ductwork modifications; funded from project contingency.

- A $280,224 change order for Southern University in Baton Rouge to add an outdoor bandstand seating area and landscaping to an outdoor classroom amphitheater after rebidding produced lower costs; fully funded by Southern University.

- A $317,149 change order for Southern University's Global Innovations and Welcome Center to extend sewer lines, add smart metering, surge protection and EV charging stations; FP&C reported a negotiated reduction from the originally submitted amount; fully funded by Southern University.

- A $139,826 change order for D. Ficker's Hall renovation and addition at Southeastern Louisiana University to install a code‑required fire curtain in the main theater, including needed electrical and data connections; funded from project contingency. FP&C noted the overall project is more than $30 million and scheduled to be complete in roughly 60 days.

FP&C noted four additional reporting change orders between $50,000 and $100,000 for the two months covered; those were informational and required no committee action.

Committee members asked about speeding project delivery; Reed and FP&C pointed to recently enacted job‑order contracting legislation and use of third‑party project managers that campuses can hire using a small percentage of the fund to accelerate work. \"We could not do this without you,\" Reed said, thanking legislators for the funding.

All approvals on these facility items were recorded as carried with no opposition.","The committee approved a slate of higher‑education deferred maintenance projects under Act 751, heard a Board of Regents update on progress and prioritized projects, and approved several university change orders and a $1 million supplemental for LSU Health Science Center's data center.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6191667,"State fiscal status shows $159.2 million excess this year; five‑year baseline projects multi‑year deficits",85,171000,256000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7&start=171&end=256","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4545940-fa8c29ec6e5189e15acf605d16e29ea7/thumbnail_171000.jpg","/articles/6191667/Louisiana/State-fiscal-status-shows-1592-million-excess-this-year-fiveyear-baseline-projects-multiyear-deficits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191667-d8a3e980d329cde156901f38a17cbf84/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934531&Signature=XMSRzCi~c2N4ezpav5ETTfgRv-xo~gOOrUZ1zslPvHPVYfdINr72LkAP6ZVXYWCYmnckdwLh5xZgIBD6iGblpm1MEzk9IRrXi-cQliUa0F9ET613PxSRhLz9JYA-Fh1zdt-mfYIuZ7j6U3SH0pBrTAy2rIIZYbz27Wn6JyHRqnskEKwAx4jYyb6vmDOHp7tIXoEVkJD8gEjLFJM7Ysswxd4fnpBdHbaFn0Ge-v66u6DZy5pCIt2Q9oA7Z92bDg0BSUTqY57LxuF2rgtkFsPRvy5SOH~uT8WVxQ-ByYbGw-7vI70Hgz7mGELjL89g6Pjt7XRR3UJMw~kKVKdpqgV~Xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of Planning and Budget reported to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget that the State General Fund shows an excess balance of $159,200,000 in the current year, and five‑year baseline projections show shortfalls in several coming fiscal years.

\"Starting with the fiscal status statement, you'll notice that on page 1, there have been no changes from the previous month. The resulting excess balance in State General Fund in the current year is $159,200,000,\" said Julia Gradney of the Office of Planning and Budget as she opened the committee presentation. Gradney added that the figure \"does not reflect appropriations and requirements from the recent session from the supplemental bill in the Funds Bill.\"

The office reported the remaining estimated State General Fund balance after those actions is $71,226. In the five‑year baseline projection the office presented, projected balances are: a negative $55,000,000 in FY 2026; a positive $12,200,000 in FY 2027; a negative $415,700,000 in FY 2028; and a negative $382,700,000 in FY 2029.

There were no questions recorded from committee members on the fiscal status statement or the five‑year baseline. Representative MacMahon moved to accept the fiscal status statement \"as presented,\" and the motion carried with no opposition.

The presentation and the committee vote were procedural approvals; no new appropriations or policy changes were made during the meeting. The Office of Planning and Budget noted that the fiscal figures presented do not yet incorporate some actions from the recent legislative session.","Office of Planning and Budget reported a $159,200,000 excess State General Fund balance in the current year but showed projected deficits in several out years under the five‑year baseline projection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Water Sector Commission's recommendations for $2.19 million in additional funding approved by JLCB

Odyssey contract approved to launch LA Gator July 1; lawmakers press for clarity on priority rules and vendor fees

JLCB approves higher‑education deferred maintenance project list, $25M add to fund and multiple change orders

State fiscal status shows $159.2 million excess this year; five‑year baseline projects multi‑year deficits