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Louisiana Governor Announces Funding for I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, Education, Critical Infrastructure in Budget Proposal 

January 24, 2022

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards announced his budget priorities for the next fiscal year on January 24, 2022, which include funding for a new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, significant new, recurring investments in education at all levels, including at least a $1500 pay raise for teachers, and massive new infrastructure investments across Louisiana.

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne will formally present the budget to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

Key Budge Priorities of Louisiana Governor Edwards

Improving Louisiana’s Infrastructure

The Governor’s budget proposal includes more than $1.1 billion in critical infrastructure funding, including $500 million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, $100 million for the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, $100 million for the I-49 Lafayette Connector, and $500 million for statewide water and sewer improvements.

These critical state investments are in addition to federal funds received by Louisiana under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Edwards has already announced more than $3 billion in federal infrastructure investment in Louisiana since the beginning of the fiscal year, including a $206 million investment in Louisiana’s bridges this fiscal year. The State will be able to invest no less than $60 million per year for five years in rural bridges, allowing up to 100 bridges in rural Louisiana to be rehabilitated or rebuilt each year, the majority of which will be in North Louisiana.

Increasing Investments in Education at Every Level

The Governor’s budget aims to invest in education at all levels throughout the state, from improving opportunities for Louisiana’s youngest learners to raising salaries for K-12 teachers, support staff, and higher education faculty.

K-12

The budget proposal includes $148.4 million for pay raises for K-12 teachers and staff. The proposed $1500 raise for teachers is significantly higher than the raise teachers received this year, and it is the fifth proposed by the Edwards administration. Furthermore, the Governor supports using additional revenues identified by the Revenue Estimating Conference later this spring to supplement the proposed raises for teachers and staff.

Higher Education

In higher education, the Governor’s proposal includes $31.7 million for higher education faculty pay raises, as well as a $97.2 million increase in other funding. The Governor’s budget proposal includes a $5 million increase for Title IX offices throughout the state, a $15 million increase in GO Grants, and a $25 million increase in the Higher Education Initiatives fund. The proposal also includes a $10.5 million deposit into the MJ Foster Promise Program Fund, which provides financial assistance to non-traditional students pursuing credentials from the community and technical colleges that align to high-demand jobs in Louisiana’s growing industry sectors.

Early Childhood Education

The Governor proposes a $43.4 million increase for early childhood education, including more than a $17 million increase for the LA-4 Early Childhood program. Furthermore, the Governor will propose significant investment in the Early Childhood Education Fund.

Supporting Louisiana’s Businesses and Unemployed Workers

In addition, the Governor’s budget proposal includes $550 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding to replenish Louisiana’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, which had a historically high fund balance prior to the global coronavirus pandemic. If the fund is not replenished to a balance of $750 million by September of this year, taxes on businesses will be raised automatically.

From Louisiana Governor Edwards during a January 24, 2022 press release:

“After inheriting the largest budget deficit in Louisiana history, my administration worked with the legislature to stabilize Louisiana’s revenues and grow our economy. In previous budget years, we’ve worked to make small, incremental investments in critical priorities. Today, I’m announcing our most significant new investments yet – focusing on education at all levels, including at least a $1500 pay raise for teachers, funded with recurring state general fund,” Governor Edwards said. “This budget proposal also includes significant new investments in infrastructure, using non-recurring revenue from surplus, excess, and American Rescue Plan dollars.”

“Louisiana has faced many hurdles and setbacks over the past several years, but we are on the precipice of a recovery and resurgence across all of our communities if we wisely invest our budget surplus and federal funding resources on making long-term projects that maybe once seemed like a dream – new bridges in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, as well as the completion of the I-49 Lafayette Connector and investments in the much needed rebuilding of bridges in rural Louisiana – a reality,” Governor Edwards said. “We have a historic opportunity to improve life in communities across Louisiana, to fix problems relating to sewer and water which plague many of our cities and towns, and to strengthen critical infrastructure that will protect and support our state’s future.”

“This is a budget I am proud of, this is a budget the Louisiana people can be proud of, and this is a budget I believe the Legislature can proudly support,” Governor Edwards said.