Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry urged the federal government to redirect unspent BEAD funds into state-led initiatives, arguing that reforms announced by the administration have left significant BEAD resources available for reallocation.
In a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Landry said Louisiana would hold substantial BEAD funds due to recent reforms and urged investments in education, workforce training, and industry growth, asserting that such use would support the president’s policy objectives and demonstrate fiscal acumen.
“As the first state to submit our Final Proposal ahead of the September 4 deadline, we respectfully request that you continue to hew closely to the statute,” Landry wrote.
He argued that investments in education, workforce training, and industry development would advance AI and other administration priorities, and claimed the approach would contrast favorably with the prior administration, per the letter.
Landry also offered the expertise of Louisiana broadband officials to assist the federal government in planning next steps. He urged NTIA to issue clear guidance on October 1 requiring states to submit non-deployment plans within 60 days that could advance the president’s agenda, with rolling evaluations and awards announced by January 20. The governor’s team suggested a preliminary framework to incorporate state-proven cost savings and private-sector participation.
NTIA recently announced that 20 states and territories have extensions to submit final BEAD proposals, bringing the total eligible to 56 states and territories with $42.45 billion in BEAD funds.
In its Sept. 5 release, NTIA stated that plans submitted to date project savings of at least $13 billion for American taxpayers, driven by private sector participation and other factors.
Landry’s letter underscores ongoing debates over how BEAD funds should be spent and reflects Louisiana’s readiness to shape the program at the state level.
