Should Louisiana Double Funding for School Choice?

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You're listening to American Ground Radio with Louis R. Avallone and Stephen Parr. This is the full show March 12, 2026.

We dive into one of the biggest debates in Louisiana right now: school choice and the future of the LA Gator program. Governor Jeff Landry wants to double funding for the program, expanding opportunities for families to choose private or homeschool options for their kids. Supporters say it empowers parents and helps students escape failing schools. Critics warn the model may not be financially sustainable. So the real question becomes: Is the state ready to prioritize school choice—and how do we pay for it?

We also examine the political tension surrounding the issue, including why some leaders in the Louisiana Legislature appear reluctant to expand the program and what that says about conservative priorities like education reform and lower taxes. From there, we break down several major stories shaping Louisiana right now:

• FEMA disaster declarations following the devastating January ice storm across North Louisiana
• Infrastructure problems in New Orleans, where aging water pipes continue flooding city streets
• A controversial Louisiana Supreme Court decision allowing a judicial candidate back on the ballot despite questions about unpaid taxes

The conversation also turns to Louisiana’s U.S. Senate race, where endorsements, political maneuvering, and behind-the-scenes pressure raise questions about whether the field is being cleared for a preferred candidate—and whether voters like feeling that way.

Later in the show, we explore the changing world of college athletics, where universities like LSU can now directly pay athletes millions under new rules following the House v. NCAA settlement. But if taxpayer-funded universities are paying players, should the public have the right to see exactly where that money is going?

And because it’s Louisiana, the discussion eventually gets… a little more unusual. From the explosion of specialty license plates lawmakers are debating to a proposal that could open the door to recreational alligator hunting, we take a look at some of the stranger—and surprisingly serious—issues making their way through the legislature.

It’s a wide-ranging conversation about education, politics, transparency, and the priorities shaping Louisiana’s future—all right here on American Ground Radio.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776!