Louisiana: The State We're In Special Coverage
May 2026 Ballot
In this segment, LPB’s Christina Jensen speaks with three Republican candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat representing Louisiana: incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, U.S. Representative Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.
Barry Erwin, Chief Policy Officer for Leaders For A Better Louisiana, lays out the options with LPB's Johnny Atkinson.
- Amendment 1 gives the legislature more control the state civil service system.
- Amendment 2 grants St. George’s community school system the same authority as parish school systems.
- Amendment 3 uses savings from Teacher’s Retirement System debt to fund teacher and support staff pay raises.
- Amendment 4 exempts or reduces property taxes on business inventory.
- Amendment 5 raises the mandatory retirement age for judges.
Louisiana voters will decide if the city of St. George to form its own school district, separate from the system operated by East Baton Rouge Parish.
The amendment must pass both statewide and across East Baton Rouge Parish.
East Baton Rouge School board member Dadrius Lanus warns the split could affect up to 20% of jobs and reduce funding for the current system, with estimated loses of $94 million in local tax revenue and up to $20 million in state funding. Opponents also argue the move could worsen racial segregation and hurt lower-income students remaining in Baton Rouge schools. Meanwhile, St. George Mayor Dustin Yates says the city would take over five schools and nearly 5,800 students, easing the burden on the parish system while creating new opportunities for educators.
LPB’s Christina Jensen explores both sides of the debate.
About the Series
Louisiana: The State We’re In, Louisiana's only statewide news magazine. The program airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 4:30 p.m. on the six-station LPB network that includes stations in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport.
This award-winning show combines in-depth coverage about the important issues in the state along with expert analysis. Louisiana: The State We’re In has been a leader reporting on the Louisiana Legislature with a goal to explain how legislation affects the lives of the people of the state. The program also features the art, culture, places, and people that make Louisiana so unique, including stories about everyday citizens who are heroes and helpers to others in their communities.
