March 2026 Monthly Update
March 31, 2026
Dear Friends and Partners,
With the 2026 legislative session in full swing, we would like to keep you informed on issues and activities leading up to and throughout the session. As a leading member of the Ready Louisiana Coalition, our primary focus in this session is on maintaining current investments in early childhood education. Our Coalition is urging legislators:
- Invest an additional $95 million of state funds in our state’s early childhood programs for birth to 3-year-olds now, and an additional $95 million annually for the next 10 years, to gradually grow and sustain state investment in ECE each year. This level of investment will ensure that 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 by registering here.