The 2012 Legislative session opened last Monday and arguments over bills that would affect pension benefits for state employees, state funding for private schools and job security for educators have inspired heated words and even protests at the state capital.
While bills dealing with education are not the only ones being discussed, they have certainly drawn the most attention, namely the efforts of Governor Bobby Jindal to reform education in Louisiana. From March 14-15, hundreds of teachers in red T-shirts with the message “Wear Red For Ed.” Due to the overwhelming number of substitute requests by teachers, some local parish school boards canceled classes to allow teachers  to occupy the capitol’s steps, hallways and hearing room. The hearings were shown on television screens in the building’s overflow rooms. The teachers’ prime grievance was the plan to require public school teachers to earn tenure based on student achievement rather than seniority, which would allow schools to eliminate more experienced teachers should the need arise.
Jindal defended the plan during a short morning discussion with the senate panel on the second day of the protests.
“We need to give districts more flexibility to remove ineffective teachers from the classroom,” said Jindal.
However, for all of the debate and protest the three-month long session is in its infancy and the bills that are, and will be, discussed could very well change or even be dropped all together. Case in point, Executive Director of Public and Governmental Affairs at Southeastern Erin Cowser says the number of bills that could affect higher education alone is too large and fluid to discuss accurate, long-term details.
“There are too many things to mention at this point. I have a bill tracking report from the ULS [University of Louisiana System], and it’s 13 pages long,” said Cowser. “We’re paying attention to bills that affect retirement, appropriations, legislation for the Board of Regents, tuition measures and the governor’s K-12 package because we have many partnerships with programs like that.”
Cowser explained that the University is not sitting idly by during the session, and that steps are being taken to encourage the passing of bills, which will benefit higher education.
“We advocate and educate bills, but we do not lobby,” said Cowser.
The session is scheduled to conclude at 6 p.m. on June 4. The schedule of bills to be discussed and updates on what legislature has been passed or defeated can be found at www.legis.state.la.us.