Bossier Parish ranks among the top economies in Louisiana, study says
Plus — LA GATOR, the education savings account program, is law. What happens next?
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Bossier Parish ranks among the top economies in Louisiana, study says
Bossier Parish's economy received high marks for business growth, gross domestic product (GDP) expansion and new building permits, according to a new study.
The analysis, conducted by Smart Asset, shows Bossier Parish ranking in the top ten among the 64 parishes in Louisiana.
"We looked at the change in the number of businesses established in each location over a three-year period. This shows whether or not people are starting new business ventures in the county," the study's methodology says.
The second factor analyzed was gross domestic product growth. GDP is an inflation-adjusted measure of consumer spending on goods and services, business spending, government spending and net exports.
"We also looked at investment and development in the local residential real estate market. To measure this real estate growth, we calculated the number of new building permits per 1,000 homes," Smart Asset said.
Every county was scored on the three factors, which were then combined to create a final ranking.
READ MORE: But there is bad news: The Bossier economy is declining. Here's why.
In the overall scoring, Bossier Parish was ranked sixth among the 64 parishes.
The Top 10 parishes were:
Tangipahoa
Lafayette
Livingston
Ascension
West Baton Rouge
Bossier
Vermillion
Plaquemines
DeSoto
Calcasieu
When broken out among the three categories considered, Bossier Parish ranked #5 for Business Growth, #6 for New Building Permits and just outside the top ten for GDP Growth.
LA Gator, the education savings account, is law in Louisiana. So, what happens next?
It was vehemently opposed by the Bossier Parish School Board, but Louisiana's new education savings account program is law and will debut in August 2025. So, how will it work?
The final result of the state legislation is quite different from the original bill introduced, and there is plenty of work to do before it becomes a universal program for Louisiana K-12 students.
The Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise scholarship program was signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry on June 19 and provides educational savings accounts to parents so they can have more choice in what school their children will attend.
The funds can also be used for tutors, online school tuition, curriculum, or even to fund a hybrid program in which a student attends a private school part-time.
Senate Bill 313, authored by Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, will replace the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program after the 2024-2025 school year.
Phase one of the GATOR initiative will prioritize students who participated in the SSEE program.
Phase two will then arrange for children entering kindergarten and students who were enrolled in public school the previous year. All three phases, but especially phase three, will help families at or below 250% of the federal poverty line.
State Superintendent Cade Brumley says the start of the final two phases is still yet to be decided.
"It may take a year, two years, three years, it just depends on the appropriations allocated for the program," Brumley said.
Brumley also specified that the program is completely funded by state appropriations that are separate from the Minimum Foundation Program formula, which calculates equitable distribution of K-12 funds to school districts.
The Legislature will provide an annual line item allocated for GATOR scholarships, with the number of students served dependent on the appropriations.
"One of the things that was said many times is that this program will be a program of runaway spending," Brumley said. "But the only way the program can grow is if the Legislature allocates the funding for that to happen. The Legislature through the appropriation process is in complete control of that rope."
Before phase one can begin in the fall of 2025, Brumley says the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will have to promulgate specific rules around eligibility, dollar amounts, program providers and any other technical processes. Brumley's office will start making those recommendations this fall.
"You can look at it like the state Legislature said 'Hey, here is the game that has to be played' and then the state board of education has to go in and write the specific rules for that game," Brumley said.
EdChoice, a national organization, and the Pelican Institute, a Louisiana institution, both supported the GATOR program. Nathan Sanders, the policy and advocacy director of EdChoice, says Louisiana is the 12th state to go universal.
Sanders also addressed the issues private schools could face with high demand. He said private schools and charters are still allowed to maintain their autonomy when it comes to enrollment and admissions.
"We've seen pretty decent growth with all these states, but you never really see schools busting at the seams," Sanders said. "At the end of the day, parents are gonna find an option and data shows growth will happen and parents will have even more options down the road."
The Louisiana Federation of Teachers put out a statement saying the GATOR program is fiscally irresponsible and will devastate the public school system by diverting public dollars to private schools.
Erin Bendily, the vice president of policy and strategy at Pelican Institute, thinks that a big reason teachers are vocalizing a problem with GATOR is that it will hold them accountable to a higher standard.
"It boils down to competition. Now they are going to have to work extra hard to earn the privilege to serve kids and families in their communities," Bendily said. "This should not be seen as an anti-public school policy. This is a pro-child policy."
Sanders believes it's a matter of educating teachers and families on the bill's importance.
"It's going to be up to everyone to educate how the program works, how to apply, but over the years it will be more accepted," Sanders said.
– By Jacob Mathews/The Center Square
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration.
June 29: The Steel Woods return after previously selling out the Louisiana Grandstand.
July 13: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Shreveport native Terry Bradshaw at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
July 26: Fan favorite Dan Smalley returns to put on another incredible performance in the legendary listening room at Louisiana Grandstand. If you've never seen this Shreveport native perform, plan to see what you've been missing.
August 31: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Elle King at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
September 7: The Cleverlys, a one-of-a-kind, unique comedy and music experience at the Louisiana Grandstand. "If Dolly Parton, Earl Scruggs, and Spinal Tap spawned a litter of puppies, it would be The Cleverlys," says the New York Times.
September 12: Pony Bradshaw makes a rare Louisiana stop at the legendary listening room of Louisiana Grandstand. Catch Pony Bradshaw as he fuses Americana, rock, folk and many other styles.
September 13: Comedian Rodney Carrington at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
September 14: Cody Johnson, The Leather Tour at the BGA.
October 18: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott at the Louisiana Grandstand.
October 20: Jelly Roll, The Beautifully Broken Tour, with Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay at the BGA.
October 26: Daughtry at the Paradise Theatre in the Margaritaville Casino.
November 1-3: Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto at the BGA.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
November 23: William Clark Green brings his "Whole Lotta Lubbock" tour to his debut appearance at the Louisiana Grandstand. Green is tearing up Texas dance halls and filling venues all over the country with his hits like "She Likes The Beatles" and "West Texas in My Eye."
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