Louisiana’s 16-year slog to defund public education began with former Gov. Bobby Jindal. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy said his worst scam was allowing donations of unlimited funds for private school scholarships as an opt-out of paying taxes. Every cent of “scholarship donations” was kicked back via a tax credit.
In Jindal’s first year, laws were passed giving parents a deduction of $5,000 if children did not attend public schools. Next, laws passed that at least doubled those deductions. Tax credits followed deductions.
Then a voucher program provided private school tuition for some students. Those laws siphoned revenue from the state treasury and public schools.
Low revenue allowed Jindal to cut services to balance the budget. Some believe privatizers care about students. In truth, they aim to reduce state revenue, public school funds and taxes for the wealthy while subsidizing private schools. Gov. Jeff Landry is Jindal on steroids.
Savvy policy analysts know both charter and privatization movements grew from a dark place of school segregation and racial inequality. Now efforts are focused on education savings accounts. These programs transfer public dollars to private institutions and service providers.
House Bill 745 is the latest ploy.
These ESAs would be available for the wealthiest students, unlike the others. The Public Affairs Research Council notes this scheme could cost $520 million annually when fully implemented. Some trick, given our already reduced tax revenues.
ALICIA BREAUX
Covington