Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Legislature are poised to provide free community college for adults in high-demand careers beginning July 1, something President Biden and Congress have been unable to do on a national level.
Lawmakers are already debating how to spend more than $2 billion in surpluses and increased future revenue for fiscal year 2023 that begins July 1.
"Obviously there are going to be a lot of hands out," Edwards' Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne said Tuesday while presenting the governor's proposed spending plan to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
But virtually everyone agrees one of Edwards' proposed budget increases will survive the debate in the Legislature — $10.5 million to pay for the MJ Foster Promise community college scholarship program.
Louisiana Community and Technical College System President Monty Sullivan describes the program as "TOPS for grown folks," referring to the state's popular university tuition scholarship program.
But unlike TOPS, which the state funds with more than $300 million annually, there are no academic requirements for securing the grants for community colleges.
Applicants must only be 21 or older and enroll in programs supporting five growing industry sectors — construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and transportation and logistics.
Republican Senate President Page Cortez's Senate Bill 148 — now Act 457 — was named after the late former Gov. Mike Foster, who is considered the father of the state's community college system. Foster died last year.
Though the bill passed last year, the program must still be funded.
"The Legislature has been very supportive of this new program for those who have been caught in an education and career gap, and I'm confident my colleagues will continue to support it when it comes to funding the program," Cortez told USA Today Network.
“The MJ Foster Promise Program is the first of its kind in our state’s history and will provide opportunity and access to jobs for thousands of Louisianans," Cortez said. "Employers across the state are seeking skilled workers who often lack the resources they need for training.
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Eligible training can range from a two-year associate nursing degree to a 10-week commercial driving course.
Sullivan said the maximum $6,400 award will cover all of the eligible training and degree programs "without having to come out of their pocket," calling it a transformational opportunity for 1.1 million Louisiana adults without training beyond high school.
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He said the system will begin marketing the program and how to access it this spring.
"This will not only transform the lives of these adults and their families, but the communities in which they live," Sullivan said. "Imagine having more nurses during a pandemic and having a work force to attract new business and industry."
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.
