The 2026 legislative session is moving. As a leading member of the Ready Louisiana Coalition, we are urging legislators to take three actions that directly affect Louisiana's workforce, economy, and the families your businesses depend on:

 

• Invest an additional $95 million of state funds in our state's early childhood programs for birth to 3-year-olds and sustain that investment annually for the next 10 years, to gradually grow state investment in ECE each year. This level of sustained investment will ensure Louisiana increases the number of children served from 18% to 67%.

• Invest $30 million in the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund now and ensure that the state meets its matching fund obligation each year by codifying the annual match into law. The ECE Fund has proven its ability to attract local funding for early education, helping to stabilize local workforces in Louisiana parishes. However, based on current projections, the dedicated revenue streams for the ECE Fund will not generate the $30 million required to match local investments raised for the next fiscal year.

• Continue to adopt business-friendly policies, such as the Workforce Child Care Tax Credits, that provide incentives for employers to invest in ECE for their employees and communities. The tax credits approved in 2025 are key to engaging businesses and improving workforce stability. As innovative models and partnerships emerge, Louisiana should be poised to embrace them.

 

If you are interested in receiving weekly updates during the legislative session, please feel free to sign up for membership in the Ready Louisiana Coalition here. 

 

The bills we are supporting related to the Ready Louisiana priorities are: 

• Invest at least $87.8 million in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to expand access to affordable early childhood education (ECE) for working families across Louisiana. (House Bill 1, McFarland)

• Increase funding going into the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund (ECE Fund) by removing maximum allocations from revenue streams, appropriating at least $30 million in one-time funds, and codifying a dedicated appropriation from the state into law. (Senate Bill 135, Mizell; Senate Bill 445, Pressly)

• Create an integrated, unique early childhood education identifier to strengthen transparency and accountability in Louisiana’s early childhood education system. (House Bill 992 Freiberg; House Bill 632, Spell)

• Extend the ability to serve on boards and commissions virtually at public meetings to parents and legal guardians of a child under age 5, and providers of early childhood supports or services. (House Bill 648, Brass)

• Incentivize greater coordination between school districts and early childhood centers to expand child care access by confirming a pathway for microcenters. (House Bill 628, T. Landry)

 

Days at the Capitol

Dad’s Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 7th 

Dad's Day at the Capitol is an advocacy day dedicated to elevating fathers as a force for stronger early childhood programs. Register today!

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Early Ed Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 19th

Early Ed Day at the Capitol is an advocacy day focused on educating policymakers about the importance of improving policies for and increasing investment in quality early childhood education for Louisiana children, birth through age 4. Register today!

 

News You Can Snack On​

1. Letters: Louisiana can’t build a strong workforce without early childhood education (NOLA.com)

2. Skyrocketing Child Care Costs Cause Half of Louisiana Families to Struggle Financially (Red River Radio)

3. LPIC poll highlights issue of exorbitant child care costs in Louisiana (Louisiana Radio Network)

4. Louisiana parents are missing out on work, money because of child care costs (Audac

5. LPIC Survey Finds Child Care Costs Disrupt Workforce (Biz New Orleans)