Louisiana
State Government
Governor
Jeff Landry (R)
State Senate
11
Democrats,
28
Republicans
State House
32
Democrats,
73
Republicans
Economic well-being - Louisiana
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.2
Minimum wage
7.3
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.4
Poverty rate
18.7%
Unemployment rate
4.4
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
7.7
Poverty by demographic - Louisiana
Child poverty rate
0.3
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
N/A
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
225000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
51000
Senior poverty rate
14.2 %
Women in poverty
2,308,952
The Times-Picayune, July 18, 2012: BackPack of Hope provides essentials to homeless high school students
"Most of the schools' homeless students are defined as unaccompanied youth,' temporarily living with another family or adult who is not their legal guardian, or alone without an adult. Some are unsheltered youth,' without a stable place to sleep every night. The Orleans Parish School Board provides services for homeless students: free lunches, school supplies and uniforms, referrals for housing, jobs and medical attention."
Times-Picayune, July 13, 2012: School Board plans to lay off 21 workers
"The Orleans Parish School Board plans to lay off about 21 employees, largely because of a drop in federal funding for low-income students and those with special needs. The list of staff losing their jobs includes four teachers, two of whom are being cut because of plans to merge McDonogh 35 High School and the Architecture Design Engineering Preparatory High School."
Chicago Tribune, June 8, 2012: In bold move, Louisiana boosts private education; Teachers union decries voucher law that takes money from public schools
"Starting this fall, thousands of poor and middle-class kids will get vouchers covering the full cost of tuition at more than 120 private schools across Louisiana, including small, Bible-based church schools."
Times-Picayune, May 18, 2012: Board faces new civil rights complaint
"For the second time this year, the Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a civil rights complaint against the Jefferson Parish School Board, this time alleging it sends a disproportionate number of black and disabled students to alternative schools to languish for months."
Times-Picayune, April 25, 2012: Time set to apply for school voucher; N.O. pilot program expanded statewide
"The state Legislature signed off on plans to bring vouchers statewide earlier this month, opening up a small pilot program that began in New Orleans to any low-income family in Louisiana with a student attending or slated to attend a school rated C or below."
Times-Picayune, April 19, 2012: Jindal signs education bill into law; Teachers union vows lawsuit
"Louisiana teachers will face tougher standards for keeping tenure, more charter schools will sprout around the state, and some low-income students will get private school tuition vouchers from state taxpayers under a sweeping package Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law Wednesday with considerable fanfare."