Teacher Pay Stipend Plan on Hold as Court Challenge Delays Action

The votes are now in from lawmakers on Governor Jeff Landry’s proposal to fund teacher pay stipends by shifting money from non-instructional education spending. Lawmakers faced a deadline of Tuesday at 5pm to cast mail-in ballots on this executive order from the governor.

These votes are set to be counted today, but the plan to give teachers a stipend this year is on hold after a judge issued a temporary restraining order in response to a lawsuit filed by Louisiana educators.

The restraining order prevents the state from moving forward with the governor’s executive order while legal challenges continue.

Louisiana Black Caucus Calls for Delay

Following the court's decision, members of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus urged legislative leaders to postpone the vote until after a court hearing on the matter.

In a letter to House Speaker Philip DeVillier and Senate President Cameron Henry, caucus members argued lawmakers should wait for more legal clarity before casting votes on the proposal.

Representative Candace Newell, chairwoman of the caucus, tells WWL TV some lawmakers remain uncertain about how the court ruling could affect the process.

“Some members want to know, who aren't attorneys, should we still be sending this in? What happens to the ballot? My constituents are asking me what is going to happen after the hearing. We don't have those answers,” Newell said. “If members still have questions, I felt it would be good for them to have a little bit more time and to wait until the judge has made his decision before we continue sending in ballots.”

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Newell said the temporary restraining order effectively puts the proposal on hold.

“When the judge grants a temporary restraining order, that means everything is at a halt,” she said.

Educators Voice Concerns Over Funding Shift

The Legislative Black Caucus has been collecting feedback from educators across Louisiana, many of whom worry that redirecting education dollars to teacher stipends could lead to cuts in existing school programs and services.

Those concerns were echoed in a recent survey by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. LFT President Larry Carter said educators support increased pay but are concerned about how the stipends would be funded.

“This is not a simple yes or no from educators,” Carter said in a statement. “They are saying: protect our pay, but do not cut school funding to do it.”

Newell also criticized the governor’s approach, arguing that teacher pay raises should have been included in the state budget rather than funded through reallocations.

“This is not it,” Newell said. “What we're doing right now, this is not the way we should go.”

Ballots Still Expected to Be Counted

A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for Monday, June 29, when a judge will consider whether the order should remain in effect as the lawsuit moves forward.

The ballots from lawmakers will be counted today to determine if the Governor has the two-thirds support of the legislature which is needed to ok his executive order.