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Louisiana Lawmakers Get National Honors for Education Reform Achievements

Alliance for School Choice Honors Democratic Sen. Ann Duplessis and Rep. Austin Badon as 2008 State Legislators of the Year

01/06/09

January 6, 2009 (Washington, D.C.)— The national nonprofit Alliance for School Choice today awarded the organization’s Legislator of the Year awards to Louisiana State Sen. Ann Duplessis and State Rep. Austin Badon. Both legislators are Democrats from New Orleans.
 
The awards recognize Sen. Duplessis and Rep. Badon for their work in authoring the state’s new Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program. Sen. Duplessis and Rep. Badon are the only two state legislators to receive awards from the Alliance for their education reform work in 2008.
 
The scholarship program, which is already benefiting 600 children in New Orleans, provides state scholarships so that low-income families can move their children out of failing public schools and into private schools. The legislation was signed into law by Governor Bobby Jindal on June 25.
 
“Thanks to the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of Sen. Duplessis and Rep. Badon, New Orleans families have important new educational opportunities,” said Alliance Interim President John Schilling. “Sen. Duplessis and Rep. Badon are true heroes for disadvantaged families and their work has made an immediate, positive difference for the State of Louisiana.”
 
Given tight sign-up times for students and schools, the scholarship program created by Sen. Duplessis and Rep. Badon is significantly outpacing expectations for school participation, student enrollment, and interest among families. On the first day that parents could apply for scholarships, 700 waited in line for the doors to open at the registration site and more than 2,000 attended information sessions, according to the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO). The law allows for the program to grow in size over the next several years, allowing for a full K-12 education reform effort.
 
“I am honored to receive this award, and thankful for the success and interest in this groundbreaking new scholarship program,” Sen. Duplessis said. “With this program, Louisiana has proved to the nation that legislators can=2 0and should work together in a bipartisan way to pass meaningful laws that positively impact the lives of low-income children.”
 
“Every child in Louisiana deserves the best education possible,” said Rep. Badon. “This program continues the important work of rebuilding and revitalizing New Orleans so that it remains a stellar place to live, learn, and work.”
 
The Alliance is the nation’s largest organization promoting educational choice programs. The Alliance presents three sets of awards each year. The State Executive of the Year Award and the Advocate of the Year Award will be announced later in January, 2009.  Last year’s Legislative honors were presented to Pennsylvania State Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia) and Georgia State Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah).

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The Alliance for School Choice is the nation's largest nonprofit organization promoting school vouchers and scholarship tax credit programs. Visit the Alliance online at www.AllianceForSchoolChoice.org.