I cast the only NO vote on Louisiana’s $49.3 billion budget—and I want to explain why. The budget includes a $1.6 billion Medicaid expansion funded entirely by the federal government—for now. But with $37 trillion in national debt, how long until Washington shifts that burden onto Louisiana taxpayers? We’re already spending $20.6 billion on Medicaid. If the federal share dries up, we could be on the hook for billions more—with no clear plan to pay for it. That’s a risk I’m not willing to take. At the same time, funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program—designed to expand school choice—was slashed nearly in half. It’s time to empower parents with more options—not fewer. Parents should be the ones choosing the best path for their children—not bureaucrats. I won’t support a budget that puts Louisiana families on the hook for exploding costs while pulling back on educational freedom. We can do better—and I’ll keep fighting to make sure we do.