Changing TOPS isn’t legislative priority

The American Press

<p class="p1">A number of bills dealing with the TOPS scholarship program have been filed during the current legislative session, and none have made it completely through the lawmaking process. Whether any will seems questionable at this point.</p><p class="p3">One measure calling for repayment of the award under certain circumstances cleared the House Education Committee, but is awaiting action in the House Appropriations Committee. Another creating the TOPS Income Fund hasn’t been heard by the Appropriations Committee.</p><p class="p3">The House Education Committee hasn’t heard a measure creating a system on how to make the awards when there is insufficient funding. The House killed a TOPS bill setting up a TOPS Transfer Award at two post secondary education levels. The author didn’t bring up a second TOPS measure.</p><p class="p3">A Senate bill providing for a rebate for TOPS recipients who complete a baccalaureate degree in three years never left the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The same is true for a measure dedicating excess gaming revenues to the TOPS program that never got out of the Senate Finance Committee.</p><p class="p3">The Senate approved a TOPS Second Chance Award for students who didn’t qualify for TOPS after finishing high school but scored at least a 17 on the ACT test. It is still in the House Education Committee.</p><p class="p3">Senators also approved a TOPS-Tech 2Plus2 Award for community college students who plan to attend a four-year institution. It is also awaiting action in the House Education Committee.</p><p class="p3">The Senate Education Committee with a 4-3 vote rejected a measure limiting the tuition money available to lower-performing students. It provided for a flat $4,000 annual payment. Higher-performing students would have had increased payments.</p><p class="p3">Funding for TOPS scholarships became a problem two years ago when the awards were reduced with parents and students having to pay the difference in tuition. The program was fully funded for the current fiscal year.</p><p class="p3">The proposed budget for fiscal year 2018-19 that begins July 1 fully funded TOPS, but the appropriation was reduced by 20 percent by the full House to provide funds for other programs. The budget bill is awaiting action in the Senate, and it is expected efforts will be made to restore TOPS to full funding.</p>

SportsPlus

life

SW La. nightlife calendar: There’s always something to do

Local News

Trump announces commission on religious liberty, White House Faith Office

McNeese Sports

Traveling man

Local News

Jennings High Key Club using grant to increase access to books

Local News

Program aimed at helping city workers buy homes

Local News

Several area schools named after Black education pioneers, local legends

Crime

LC man accused of going on crime spree

McNeese Sports

Back to their roots

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Second Harvest news unsettling

Local News

Meet the candidates: Five throw hat in ring for mayor’s race

McNeese Sports

SLC games set for McNeese

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look for four-peat

Local News

UPDATE: Drug charges against veterinarian cleared of rape dropped

Local News

Cassidy, Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary

Business

Waffle House adds surcharge to eggs as massive bird flu outbreak leads to soaring prices

Local News

Federal judge blocks enforcement of La. police ‘buffer-zone’ law

Local News

Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance opens new offices

Local News

NY shields abortion pill prescribers after doctor indicted in La.

McNeese Sports

Cowboys win by a tick

Business

Wall Street swerves lower after Trump announces tariffs and then puts some on hold

Local News

A heart for kids: New Big Brothers Big Sisters CEO driven to help others

McNeese Sports

Hot-shooting Nicholls guns down Pokes

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls struggle early, fall to Nicholls

Informer

The Informer: Floods followed in wake of 1940 Gulf Coast storm