The Legislature kicked off the fiscal session Monday at noon, with the governor giving his eighth and final "State of the State" address before both chambers. Gov. Edwards outlined his priorities for the session, including a $3,000 pay raise for teachers, establishing a state minimum wage, and funding for coastal restoration and infrastructure projects.
On Tuesday, the House Ways & Means Committee received an update on the work of the State Tax Structure Subcommittee from its chair, Rep. Phillip DeViller (R-Eunice), and Rep. Richard Nelson (R-Mandeville), who authored the resolution last session that resulted in the group's formation and a marathon of meetings that concluded on January 31, 2023. Rep. DeVillier reported that while the subcommittee considered the elimination of state income taxes, it had no recommendations at this point because the revenue impact of 2021 tax reforms is as yet unknown.
The Appropriations Committee conducted department hearings during the week as it considers how to craft the state budget. On Wednesday, Education Superintendent Cade Brumley appeared before the Committee to discuss the proposed 2023-2024 MFP Formula, which includes a pay raise for teachers that took a different approach than the governor's proposed $3,000 across-the-board raise. Unlike the governor's proposal, Brumley urged a targeted approach that would provide raises of $2,000 across the board and allow local school systems to use the additional monies for teachers in ways that encourage their development—for example, to reward teacher performance or leadership.