Judge Refuses To Block Louisiana’s Controversial School Vouchers Program

District Judge Tim Kelley ruled on Tuesday that he cannot block Louisiana’s controversial voucher program from going into effect next month because of a state law that prohibits injunctions when state officials claim they will cause a deficit. Superintendent John White and Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater claimed that an injunction would cause a $3.4 billion — the amount spent by the state to educate students — deficit in the education budget. Opponents countered that an injunction would merely prevent money from being distributed, saying “That’s just kind of crazy. … There’s no way that not spending money can cause a deficit.” Even though no injunction was granted, the case challenging the program’s constitutionality is ongoing.

— Alex Brown