Close to 14,000 Louisiana families signed up for the "LA GATOR" scholarship fund, but how much money will actually be available in the program? Legislators are still working that out, with just a week to go.
Gov. Jeff Landry wanted $94 million dollars for his expanded voucher program, available to everyone, not just people in certain circumstances. The state senate finance committee cut that request by more than half.
Melinda DeSlatte with Public Affairs Research Council says that battle isn't over yet.
"There are a lot of ongoing negotiations about whether that money could be restored, or some of that money could show back up," DeSlatte told WWL. "I don't think it's settled yet how much money will ultimately end up in that LA GATOR program."
DeSlatte says public school advocates and budget hawks find themselves on the same side when it comes to the debate over LA GATOR funding.
"There's also this overriding concern that without certain checks and balances on this program, the size and price tag of it could grow exponentially," said DeSlatte.