Action Alert #5 Time to Speak Up About the Budget

March 18, 2026

On Monday, March 23^rd at 9 AM, there will be two different committee meetings about the proposed Fiscal Year 27 budget (House Bill 1 or HB1). This budget would begin July 1^st.

Meeting 1: House Appropriations (Public Testimony)

The House Appropriations Committee will hear public testimony on the full budget.

• This is where people can speak and share their stories in person.

Meeting 2: Senate Finance

The Senate Finance Committee will meet to review the budgets for:

• Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)
• Louisiana Works, which includes Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

This meeting does not include public testimony. You will need to email or call members to share input.

Below are some disability-related issues that are not included in the current proposed budget:

• Funding to increase Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates and Direct Support Worker (DSW) pay
• Restoring funding for Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers
• Additional for Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

More details about these issues can be found after the “How to Take Action” part.

How to Take Action

If these topics are important to you, there are options below where you can share your personal stories, thoughts and concerns about any of these issues.

Attend Yellow Shirt Day in House Appropriations

• Monday, March 23^rd at 9 AM
• Louisiana State Capitol – House Committee Room 5
• Arrive early to get a seat

Email or call the Chair and Senate Finance committee members before the March 23^rd meeting. Contact information is listed at the end of this alert.

Email your comments and concerns to [email protected].

When sharing comments, it helps to include:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• The topic you are writing about (HCBS rates, DSW pay, FHF Centers, LRS, etc.)
• A short description of your experience or concerns

Contact your LaCAN Leader if you need help, want more information or need a ride to the Capitol.

Committee meetings can be watched live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website. A link will appear when the meeting begins.viewed live on the Louisiana Legislature’s website. When the meeting is active, there will be a link to click and watch the meeting.

More Information

LaCAN is advocating for several issues this session that need funding:

Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) rates and Direct Support Worker (DSW) Pay

• HCBS help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities.
• Many services depend on DSWs who provide daily help and support.
• A recent rate study found about $53.6 million in state general funds would be needed to increase service rates and DSW pay.
• LDH told House Appropriations members they need more information and do not plan to address this issue until next year.
• Advocates thought the rate study would help lead to changes this year. They are concerned the delay may make the DSW shortage last longer and affect services.
• This issue in the budget is in Schedule 9 – Louisiana Department of Health.
• Click HERE for more information.

Families Helping Families (FHF) Regional Resource Centers

• The Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council provides state funding to FHF Centers across the state.
• The proposed budget includes a $250,000 cut to this funding.
• This change can affect FHF services and operations.
• This issue in the budget is in Schedule 9 – Louisiana Department of Health.
• Click HERE for more information.

Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS)

• LRS helps people with disabilities prepare for work, find jobs and keep jobs.
• Louisiana does not provide enough state matching funds for LRS to access all available federal funding
• It was reported $72 – $74 million would be available next year
• We’ve missed out on $155 million in federal funds over the last five years.
• $6.7 million in state general funds would allow the state to access all federal funding
• This issue in the budget is in Schedule 14 – Louisiana Works.
• Click HERE for more information.

Committee Members are sorted by region. Find your region and members below!

All Regions	Committee Chair
Glen Womack	[email protected]	(318) 744-0005
Region 1	New Orleans Area
Jimmy  Harris	[email protected]	(504) 243-1960
Region 2	Baton Rouge/Capital Area
Rick Edmonds	[email protected]	(225) 272-1324
Larry Selders	[email protected]	(225) 256-7756
Region 3	Houma/Thibodaux Area
Michael Fesi	[email protected]	(985) 858-2979
Region 4	Lafayette/Acadiana Area
Gerald Boudreaux	[email protected]	(337) 267-7520
Heather Cloud (Vice Chair)	[email protected]	(337) 461-2595
Blake Miguez	[email protected]	(337)373-9400
Region 5	Lake Charles/Southwest LA Area
Heather Cloud (Vice Chair)	[email protected]	(337) 461-2595
Jeremy Stine	[email protected]	(337) 491-2016
Region 6	Alexandria/ Central LA Area
Heather Cloud (Vice Chair)	[email protected]	(337) 461-2595
Katrina Jackson-Andrews	[email protected]	(318) 343-2877
Glen Womack (Chair)	[email protected]	(318) 744-0005
Region 7	Shreveport/Northwest LA Area
Thomas Pressly	[email protected]	(318) 862-9920
Region 8	Monroe/Northeast LA Area
Katrina Jackson-Andrews	[email protected]	(318) 343-2877
Glen Womack (Chair)	[email protected]	(318) 744-0005
Region 9	Hammond/Northshore Area
Rick Edmonds	[email protected]	(225) 272-1324
Region 10	Jefferson/New Orleans Area
Chairman Only (see top of list)

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy

Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page. You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story