Louisiana National Guard asks lawmakers to sustain youth programs as federal support wanes

Major General Thomas Freeloux, the adjutant general of the Louisiana National Guard, told a Senate committee the Guard needs continued state investment to sustain operations and youth programs if federal funding falls short.

"Our primary mission is to deliver trained, ready and equipped units to fight and win our nation's wars while remaining prepared to respond to state emergencies," Freeloux said during the presentation on the Department of Military Affairs' fiscal 2026 budget request. Senate Fiscal Services staff member Chaz Nichols gave lawmakers a line‑item overview of the department's means of finance and spending trends.

The nut graf: Lawmakers heard that federal funds make up more than half of the department's budget and that several youth‑education programs the Guard runs — STARBASE, the Youth Challenge program and Job Challenge — rely heavily on federal support. Freeloux said STARBASE suspended operations in February 2025 because of federal budget constraints, and he urged state leaders to consider contingency funding and a master plan to preserve program capacity.

Nichols told the committee the department's recommended FY26 budget is about $131.1 million, up from $125.4 million in FY24 and from roughly $90.7 million in FY18. "A good portion of the agency's budget is driven by response activities," Nichols said, citing elevated spending in fiscal years tied to COVID‑19 response and…