The TOPS scholarship program is probably one of the most successful and most popular government programs in Louisiana. The merit-based program rewards anyone who succeeds, while promoting more education for our young people [in Louisiana] and preparing them to compete in the future. TOPS is an incentive program, not another government giveaway program. Yet one legislator wants to screw with success.
Interestingly, it’s Sen. Rob Marionneaux, the same guy who just gave a tax deduction to parents with children in private schools. [And I agreed with that bill and was happy to see it passed in the recent special session.] But Marionneaux says TOPS should not be given to children—despite them making the grades to earn it—if they live in a home with an income of $250,000. [This is about 5% of the students.] Aren’t these the same folks who have children in private schools and just got a tax deduction thanks to Marionneaux? I’m confused.
Facts are, TOPS is a great program and should continue. After the current adjustment for increased tuition, there could be a cap put on the current amount [and only adjusted every three years]. I say that because I believe another bill [House Bill 755], which would remove legislative approval for college tuition increases, should also be passed. Let the universities handle their own tuitions based on the market and not legislative politics—but TOPS won’t automatically increase to cover it.
Marionneaux also has a clause in his bill that makes students who flunk out pay back the cost of the TOPS scholarship. While I can see the logic in that, I am afraid some folks might shy from taking the risk. And other scholarships awarded based on past record and chances for success do not require repayment for failure. If you want to make changes, raise the bar to qualify for TOPS, ensuring a stronger student.
TOPS is the only state award available for some top students in affluent homes. These same students are often offered scholarships by out-of-state schools. Despite the high personal and corporate taxes their parents pay the state, Marionneaux proposes these 2,000 bright students who qualify for TOPS should be offered nothing from their home state for their achievement that would give them an incentive to stay and go to school here. Senator, haven’t we lost enough of our “best and brightest?”
Call it a life-saver program
There was an article in The Times-Picayune last month about the governor’s plan to offer $10 million in scholarships to children in grades K-3 from lower income families in New Orleans. The headline read: “Jindal avoids calling it a voucher program.”
Why is that news? Do the teacher unions get to dictate how Gov. Bobby Jindal, legislators or news media must refer to the monetary grants to rescue children from failing schools and level the educational playing field by offering them an opportunity to go to a school of their choice? I think not.
These instruments might be called scholarships, Pell Grants for children, TOPS K-12, a G.I. Bill for the 21st century or empowerment coupons for kids and parents. Which do you like? [TOPS, Pell Grants and the G.I. Bill all did the same thing, and they were never called “vouchers.”]
Rep. Austin Badon, a black Democrat from New Orleans, is the leader on the bill. He has courage—and will come under attack from the unions, his party and other blacks, who will surely call him an “Uncle Tom.” It’s the same old story everywhere the status quo is challenged. But Badon is willing to fight for the best interests of children. I applaud his leadership on this issue.
On the other side, it appears as Sen. Yvonne Dorsey and Rep. Karen Carter have been huddling. In separate news articles, each referred to the scholarship proposal as “a backdoor approach to vouchers.”
Steve Monaghan, a lobbyist for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, said recently, “Let’s call these things what they are.” You know, Steve, you’re right. I am going to start referring to you as lobbyist for the “union for protecting jobs of member teachers—good and bad—employed in government-run schools.” You know, that does sound better than LFT. I think I will send my suggestion to The Times-Picayune news editor.
Power hungry
Why did John Lombardi and the LSU board get so involved in the athletic director search?
Lombardi is a system president, not the LSU campus chancellor. He ought to know better than to try to micromanage the campus. The board is responsible for policy and governance—not hiring, except for campus heads. William Jenkins is the interim chancellor following the ouster of Sean O’Keefe. Jenkins and the search committee, headed by Jack Weiss, were very capable and should have been left alone to determine the finalists and hire the A.D.
The president and board only need ratify the decision unless there is evidence it was a bad one. The more Lombardi gets involved, the more it plays into the conspiracy theory that he—along with his gang on the LSU board [Jerry Shea, Jim Roy and Rod West]—wanted to oust O’Keefe to get control of the main campus and these new hires. [Basketball coach next, then new chancellor.]
Power corrupts.
Give me a break
I have said before that a special election in July is a waste of taxpayers’ money. H.B. 790 by Rep. Franklin Foil seeks to eliminate that.
The Louisiana Municipal Association and the Police Jury Association oppose the bill because, they say, July elections “serve a function.” No, having July elections serves these groups’ purpose of allowing elections for a single issue with a very low turnout. They ignore the extra cost and low voter participation in exchange for getting their tax issues passed.
The lobbyist for the Police Jury Association said the low turnouts were not meant to be “sneak attacks.” Oh, really? How does about a 5% turnout in Baton Rouge last summer sound? So much for their support of democracy.
Secretary of State Jay Dardenne is pushing for the elimination of the July date, as well as an expansion of the early voting, which has been very popular. The Legislature should approve both of these bills to increase voter participation.
LSU proud
Congratulations to the Lady Tigers basketball team and Coach Van Chancellor. This column was written prior to big games in the Final Four, but our hearts are with the team in Tampa, Fla., and we wish them the best. Regardless of the outcome, it’s an incredible feat to go back to the Final Four for the fifth time in a row—and we are proud of the team.
Huey the entrepreneur
A friend and Hall of Fame entrepreneur, Huey Wilson, passed away recently. Huey went from watch repairman on Third Street to founder of the Wilson’s retail chain to banker to manufacturer to philanthropist.
Huey Wilson graced the cover of our premier issue of Business Report in 1982 and appeared on a total of five covers over the quarter-century. He never stopped being an entrepreneur, and Baton Rouge is better for it. We will miss Mr. Wilson.
Comments
Posted by jsanderssr on April 10, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You expect anything marionneaux says or does to make sense? I hated to see the Gris Gris go for many reasons but mostly because they awarded this buffoon the award for most idiotic legislation introduced every year. Too bad term limints doesn't kick in after one year...
Posted by TQMSystems on April 10, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rolfe is on target with the above comments. Too many people must still have their fingers in the State's cash register to allow change to happen. We need major reforms to get out of the sewer and up on the road to success.
If the various unions are not willing to work for change that betters all of the citizens, then they should look at the condition of Michigan and how many jobs have been lost. This loss of jobs has created a real money crunch on the State government and very needed services are not available now. I don't remember the actual number, but something like one out of every four or five people is or has been unemployed in the last year. Many that are employed now are doing jobs that are considerably different than they were doing. A massive training program is being implemented to help 'retrain' many workers for a new career.
In Louisiana we need to train (and in many cases that is for true craft people, like plumbers, roofers, etc.) people to do meaningful work that society needs. Not all jobs can pay the top dollar, but do afford a comfortable living.
We need to wake up before all the manufacturing jobs are outsourced to foreign facilities. We can't exist as a service only country.
I am not sure what kind of management universities need. There are problems with nothing but academics running academic systems and a mix might be the best way given time to mature. When there is too much in-breeding, the speicies gets weaker.
Food for thought and it probably will generate some comments.
Mickey Christensen
Posted by Charlotte on April 10, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I strongly disagree with your statement about a tax deduction given to parents with children in private schools being the "same folks" with an income of $250,000!
Some of us struggle to make ends meet and do without to send our children to private schools. We are not even in the $50,000 bracket. That choice is made for religious reasons or to avoid the poor quality of education and lack of a safe environment in our public schools. The arguments, I have read and heard about, of giving tax breaks to us is taking away from the public school system is bogus. The highest property tax I pay is for public schools and my children do not benefit at all, not even utilizing the transportation system.
The 2,000 bright students you refer to are not necessarily the "best and brightest" because they come from affluent families. I wish I could pay the corporate taxes these families pay.
The state can spend all the money it wants on public schools. The money can be used for tangibles such as buildings, equipment and supplies. None of this will help until the students and parents respect the teachers and those in authority at the schools. Without respect, children can not learn. Those who know nothing about respect are hurting those who want to learn. My children will be no part of that, even if it means I have to take a second job and eat macaroni and cheese every night.
As the cost of tuition rises, putting a cap on the scholarships can mean that many will still not be able to attend college.
If the TOPS program is in trouble and reductions must be made, why not target the $250,000 income bracket? The students of parents in the $250,000 bracket normally do not stay in Louisiana anyway. The higher education institutions here are not prestigious enough for them.
I agree that making someone pay back the cost of TOPS scholarships if students flunk is wrong. Students who do well throughout elementary and high school may have some difficulties during the first semester or two in college. After all, it is an entirely different atmosphere and is an adjustment period for many young people. Some kids can make it and some can not.
These are just highlights of my views. Thank you for the opportunity of commenting.
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