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TUESDAY: Focus Turns to Higher Ed Outcomes and Workforce Alignment
Higher education took center stage this week as lawmakers examined how Louisiana invests in students—and how those investments translate into a stronger workforce. With major economic growth on the horizon and thousands of open jobs across the state, the conversation is increasingly centered on outcomes: aligning education spending with high-demand careers, strengthening completion incentives and ensuring taxpayer dollars deliver measurable returns.
These priorities mirror recommendations from LABI’s LA Driven Strategic Plan to modernize key programs like TOPS through stronger accountability, clearer data and closer alignment with workforce needs.
Two LABI-supported measures advanced Tuesday in the House Education Committee with bipartisan support.
HR 17 by Chris Turner (R-Ruston) directs the Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana Lafayette to conduct a comprehensive return-on-investment study of TOPS. With only about 40% of recipients returning after their first year, lawmakers are seeking clarity on which degrees are being funded, how they align with workforce demand and whether graduates remain in Louisiana to build their careers.
As LABI’s Mary Beth Derrickson testified before the Committee: “LABI members are adamant that this resolution is needed, so that we can make the most informed decisions on getting Louisiana’s young people into high-wage, in-demand jobs.”
Also moving forward was HB 1058 by Dennis Bamburg (R-Bossier City), which directs the Board of Regents to create a centralized data system tracking how TOPS dollars are used. The goal is to provide policymakers and stakeholders with insight on student progress, program effectiveness and alignment with workforce needs.
Together, these measures represent a meaningful step toward ensuring Louisiana’s higher-education investments strengthen the state’s talent pipeline and support long-term economic growth.