Louisiana lawmakers have partially restored funding for the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans that Gov. Jeff Landry removed from the state budget in June.Â
The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approved $1 million Thursday for the music school and venue that provides programming to children in struggling communities. Lawmakers had originally included $2 million for the center in the state spending plan in May before Landry pulled the money with a line-item veto.
Landry, a Republican, struck funding for several projects in New Orleans and other Democratic communities from the state budget that went into effect July 1.Â
However, the legislator who requested the Marsalis Center’s allocation is a Republican. Senate President Cameron Henry of Metairie, whose district extends into New Orleans, said Thursday that he had asked for the $2 million for the center originally. He also worked to get some of the money restored this week.
Harry Connick Jr., the New Orleans native and world famous musician, is one of the center’s founders and personally sought state support after raising considerable private funding for the project, Henry said. Connick visited the Louisiana Legislature in May and is also cousins with state Sen. Patrick Connick, R-Marrero.
Musician Branford Marsalis, the oldest son of the center’s namesake, and Ann Marie Wilkins, longtime manager for Connick and Branford Marsalis, are the other founders.
Henry said the governor agreed to a new allocation for the center, located in the city’s Lower 9th Ward. The money will be used to purchase equipment and musical instruments, according to budget documents. It will flow through Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser’s office, which oversees cultural projects and tourism.
Landry’s spokesperson did not respond to a phone call or text requesting a comment on the allocation. The Marsalis Center staff also did not return a message left for staff on Thursday.
Originally published on lailluminator.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
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