TOPS TASK FORCE MEETS -About $1 billion in temporary taxes expire July 1. If Lousiana lawmakers want to replace any of the expiring revenue with taxes, that requires a special session, either before the regular session starts March 12 or after it ends June 4. Otherwise, they'll have to slash spending, cuts expected to fall most heavily on health services and college programs. No lawmaker has offered a proposal for how to close the gap entirely with cuts. Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, the TOPS Tuition task force is set to vote on potential changes to the popular Louisiana
scholarship program this Wednesday. Senator Blade Morrish (R-Jennings) heads up the task force. He explained to Public Radio WRKF that changing the award amounts by giving more money to the state’s best students is a way to encourage them to stay in Louisiana. " It make us more competitive with those students that are being recruited by out-of-state universities." Senator Morrish's proposal reduces the amount of money given to the scholarship's largest group of students, those who meet the basic requirement of 2.5 core high school GPA and a 20 on the ACT. These students get almost $7500 a year to attend LSU. Morrish says " I propose to change that, leave the qualifications exactly as they are but to change that to only a $4,000 stipend." But the average 4-year college tuition in Louisiana is about
$5600 per year, that means TOPS recipients would fall short: about $1600. Dr. F. King Alexander, president of the LSU system was in Shreveport yesterday promoting LSU's Strategic Plan 2025. When asked about plans to reduce TOPS, here's what he had to say: "I think we've made a promise to students and families and that we ought to uphold that promise. That promise is a TOPS award, and that promise is a merit-based scholarship that they have relied on and thought about easily for a decade in their lives. " Dr. Alexander suggested that such awards are affecting college enrollment in Louisiana. "Applications here at LSUS and our main campus are breaking all records in terms of percentage applicant growth." Alexander emphasized the economic values in keeping students in Louisiana by saying "I would hate to chase students to another state and send our economic investments and talent in human capital, our kids and students to other states to build their economy." But Senator Morrish believes theres support behind his idea to reduce the TOPS award which he estimates will save the state about $20 million a year however, he warns whatever the task force may agree to, those will be just recommendations. “You still got to run with these bills in the Legislature,” said Morrish. The TOPS Task Force convenes Wed. at 9am in the John J. Hainkel, Jr. Room at the State Capitol Building in Baton Rouge. AND it’s just 34 Days until the Regular Legislative Session begins.