A clash between Gov. Jeff Landry and legislative leaders over funding for private education escalated Wednesday when lawmakers put off voting on a key contract, drawing a sharp rebuke from the governor.
Landry’s signature education program, called LA GATOR, will give eligible Louisiana families tax dollars to pay for private school and expenses like tutoring and laptops. A private company is helping run the new program, and the Legislature must approve a one-year extension of the company’s contract, which expires in June.
But when the $1.9 million extension came before the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget Wednesday, the Senate leader reiterated concerns about the program’s overall cost and a vote on the contract was pushed to next month…