Plan to cut spending draws backlash from teachers' groups

A plan to cut spending released by Louisiana House Republican Chairman Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, already is facing backlash from two statewide groups representing teachers.

Under the plan Harris made public Thursday, the state would use funds from the Louisiana Department of Health, state prisons and K-12 education, among other agencies, to close a $313 million midyear deficit.

According to a Louisiana Federation of Teachers release, the state's Minimum Foundation Program can be cut by 1 percent in times of economic distress as Harris proposes, but the primary source of funding for school districts is otherwise constitutionally protected.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter said a nearly $29 million hit would "devastate" already cash-strapped school systems.

Read more: State has a $313M budget hole

"It's shameful to consider cuts that threaten the future of our schools and our children," Carter said. "This is the first time in our history that serious proposals have been made to actually reduce funding for public education."

"We cannot simply cut our way to prosperity in this state,” Carter continued. "At a time when we demand more accountability and rigorous standards from our schools, this plan would pull the rug out from under the progress we are making."

The Louisiana Association of Educators, which represents about 20,000 members, posted a statement on its website, saying K-12 public schools already are "starved" financially.

"The loss of these dollars will have a direct impact on instructional services to students, implementation of higher learning standards, and maintenance of other vital education service," the statement said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards and his administration have proposed using the state's Rainy Day fund to soften cuts, which some Louisiana House Republicans are opposed to, according to recent interviews with USA Today Network of Louisiana. It's not yet clear if Harris' plan will be supported by other lawmakers.

"We've used and used the Rainy Day Fund and not put any back," Harris said last week. "The Rainy Day fund is for catastrophic events. These are uncomfortable cuts, but not catastrophic."

Read more: House GOP poised to reject use of Rainy Day Fund

Both the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and Louisiana Association of Educators are mobilizing members and people in education circles to send letters to Edward's office asking that K-12 education funding be protect ahead of The Louisiana Legislative Joint Budget Committee meeting Friday.

For more information, visit la.aft.org or lae.org.