Now that the special session concluded without a solution to fill a one-billion-dollar budget shortfall in July, TOPS funding could be cut by 80-percent. There are nearly 48-thousand TOPS students. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo says many parents can’t afford to send their kids to college without some financial help. Those college prospects are looking elsewhere to get their education.
Governor Edwards has hinted at calling another special session at the end of the regular session to continue to find a way to cover the loss of one-billion-dollars. Rallo says legislators will need to consider funding both TOPS and higher education. One can’t go without the other.
Rallo says if funding for Higher Education and TOPS is wiped out, it will hurt more than just the students, their families and faculty. It could cripple the state’s economy.