Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee endorses amendment to dedicate a portion of sales tax to a teacher compensation fund
Summary
House Bill 656, as amended, would dedicate 25% of the avails of a 1% sales tax levy (a quarter of a penny) to a teacher compensation fund to provide permanent pay increases for teachers and support staff; the committee adopted a clarifying amendment and reported the bill with a recorded voice/roll-call outcome in committee.
House Bill 656, sponsored by Representative Jordan, would create a Teacher Compensation Fund funded by dedicating 25% of the avails of a specific 1% state sales tax levy (a quarter of a penny) to teacher and support-staff pay. The committee adopted amendment set 2694 to clarify that the allocation is 25% of the avails of the 1% levy (i.e., 0.25% of that 1% rate — effectively a quarter of a penny) and reported the bill as amended.
Representative Jordan said the dedication aims to create a permanent, dedicated source for teacher compensation to make teacher pay more competitive with other southern states and with other state professions. He emphasized the personal importance of the issue and argued the dedicated revenue would support permanent salary improvements. Members asked how the proposal interacts with the Minimum Foundation Program and Bossier Parish Education (BESSE?) authority to set the MFP formula; Representative Jordan said he would work with BESE and the Department of Education to address technical issues.
Representative Willett moved the bill with amendments; the committee proceeded to a recorded vote on the amendment motion and the committee reported HB 656 favorably as amended (roll call recorded in the transcript for the motion to adopt the amendment set and move the bill). With the amendments adopted, the bill will proceed through the legislative process for further debate and fiscal analysis.
