LPIC, United Way announce 2021 legislative champions
Elected officials, partners honored for their commitment to Louisiana children, families
January 13, 2022
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (https://www.policyinstitutela.org/) (LPIC)
and United Way of Southeast Louisiana (UWSELA) announced Wednesday the 2021 Early Care and
Education Legislative Champions, recognizing elected officials and leaders for their efforts to increase
access to quality, affordable early care and education (ECE) for children and families across Louisiana.
The champions helped secure multiple legislative wins in 2021, including the repeal of the pink tax and the dedication of
sports betting revenues – 25% up to $20 million – to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund.
The 2021 Early Care and Education Legislative Champions:
- Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards
- Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
- Superintendent Cade Brumley
- Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne
- Sen. Page Cortez
- Sen. Cleo Fields
- Sen. Ronnie Johns
- Sen. Patrick McMath
- Sen. Rick Ward, III
- Rep. Rick Edmonds
- Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman
- Rep. Jonathan Goudeau
- Rep. Stephanie Hilferty
- Rep. Rodney Lyons
“The Louisiana Policy Institute for Children is proud that in 2021, our work – alongside partners like United
Way– resulted in wins for young children,” said Dr. Libbie Sonnier, LPIC executive director. “As we look
forward to the 2022 General Session, it’s important that we build on our past success as children only get
one chance to learn the fundamentals the right way: how to count; how to talk; how to think. And parents
only get one chance to put their child on the right path to success in education, society and life.”
UWSELA also recognized its complete list of 2021 Legislative Champions and Public Policy Collaborative
Partners for their efforts to address the most pressing health and human service needs in Southeast
Louisiana and to assist those on the cusp of poverty or ALICE® – Asset Limited, Income Constrained,
Employed.
UWSELA’s 2021 Legislative Champions:
- Sen. Regina Barrow
- Sen. Cleo Fields
- Sen. Ronnie Johns
- Rep. Barbara Carpenter
- Rep. Royce Duplessis
- Rep. Aimee Adatto Freeman
- Rep. Jason Hughes
- Rep. Ted James
- Rep. Mandie Landry
- Rep. Rodney Lyons
- Rep. Matthew Willard
UWSELA’s 2021 Public Policy Collaborative Partners:
- Libbie Sonnier, Ph.D., Louisiana Policy Institute for Children
- Ashley Shelton, Power Coalition for Equity & Justice
- Jan Moller, Louisiana Budget Project – Davante Lewis accepting on his behalf
- Alice Glenn, Junior League of Greater New Orleans
- Anna Mahoney, Tulane University, Women’s Political Leadership at Newcomb Institute
- Toya Barnes-Teamer, Ph.D., UWSELA Women United
- Julie Schwam Harris, IWO New Orleans
“We recognize we must rely on collaborations with our legislators and nonprofit partners to address the broken systems and inequities holding back our most vulnerable children and families,” said Charmaine Caccioppi, UWSELA COO and executive vice president. “United Way is thankful for our friends at the policy
institute and others who continue to join us in our fight for more equitable communities with health,
education and financial stability for all.”