Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration wants to shift $20 million in storm-recovery spending for hurricanes Gustav and Ike to fill in budget gaps in the state’s preschool program for at-risk children.
The proposal requires U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approval.
The dollars were included in the $75 million annual budget for the state’s pre-K program.
Mr. Jindal’s chief budget adviser, Paul Rainwater, says the spending will help people affected by the storms by offering preschool education to 4-year-olds in low- to moderate-income families in hurricane-damaged parishes.
But state Rep. Simone Champagne, whose district was hit by both 2008 hurricanes, says the money should be spent to help people elevate their homes and guard against future storms.
