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Louisiana Veterans Affairs seeks pay and staffing boosts as FY26 budget holds steady
Summary
Department of Veterans Affairs officials briefed the House Appropriations Committee on a $102.2 million FY26 budget recommendation, saying federal funds make up the largest share, while staffing shortages, low pay for nursing assistants and a backlog in the Louisiana Air National Guard (LANG) benefit claims remain top concerns.
The Department of Veterans Affairs presented its FY26 executive budget to the House Appropriations Committee on March 25, 2025, asking lawmakers to approve a $102.2 million operating recommendation while outlining persistent staffing and claims-processing challenges.
Committee members heard that roughly two-thirds of the department's funding is federal, about 16.7% comes from the state general fund, and the department has uneven pay and turnover that affect care at five veterans homes.
Presenting the department review, Paige Filho of the House Fiscal Division said the FY26 recommendation totals about $102,200,000 with federal funds the largest source. Secretary Charlotte McGinley told members the department has 851 authorized positions and about 80 vacancies as of Dec. 30, 2024, and that average pay is roughly $16,000 below the statewide agency average. McGinley and Chief of Staff Dustin Guy said the department is raising base pay…
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