Senate finance hears proposals to restore full sports-wagering share for early childhood fund; bills deferred

Sponsors presented two related measures to secure more predictable funding for early childhood education by restoring and codifying the intended 25% share of sports-wagering revenue.

Sponsor of SB135 said the law originally intended a 25% allocation to Early Childhood Education but that a $20 million cap has limited that share; the proposed change would remove the cap and make the full 25% available once the bill is in effect. "This would allow what was actually intended, the 25%," the sponsor said. The sponsor proposed an effective date to begin next fiscal year so the change would not disrupt the current year’s budget.

Legislative fiscal staff explained where amounts beyond current allocations flow. Mimi Blanchard of the Legislative Fiscal Office said the 25% based on the most recent forecast would be $24.15 million; because the early-childhood cap is currently $20 million, the difference (about $4.125 million based on FY25 forecast) has been routed to the state general fund. Blanchard clarified the number is forecast-based and will change with actual receipts.

Advocates and local early-childhood directors described local fundraising and program growth, saying the state match unlocks local investments and preserves seats for working families. Candace Alfred Webber of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children called the bills a way to stabilize the fund and ensure local matches translate into seats for children.

Several senators expressed support but asked for clear fiscal pictures; Senator Presley moved to defer SB135 and SB445 and place them on the stack for further consideration, which the committee approved.