Governor John Bel Edwards Faces Criticism over School Vouchers

Governor John Bel Edwards faces criticism over school vouchers. But the Governor is pushing back against critics who claim he is booting children from Louisiana's voucher program, telling two pro-voucher pastors they are being misled about proposed cuts to the program.

The pastors showed up at a governor's news conference to press him on their concerns. The men say the taxpayer-financed private school tuition is important to families.

Edwards says the $6 million cut proposed for the upcoming school year wouldn't remove students currently receiving vouchers, but would stop program growth. He says every year the program is allocated more money than it spends and any reduction would lessen the tuition payment to schools, not force out students.

This skirmish came as a pro-voucher group launched TV and radio ads this week hitting Edwards about the cut proposal.