By JIM BUTLER

Published tallies show state senators representing parts of Rapides voted yes on Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to retain teacher stipends in the upcoming fiscal year. 

House counts readily available Wednesday evening did not detail how those members voted. 

Clearing both chambers gives the go ahead to Landry’s shift of $168 million in state money to school systems from other uses to the classroom. 

The proposal is subject of a lawsuit pending in East Baton Rouge Parish district court. 

Two-thirds of each chamber had to vote yes for the appropriation to proceed.

Thirty-seven of 39 senators did so, according to published reports. One abstained and one, Neil Riser a Democrat of Columbia, said no. 

Seventy votes were needed in the 195-member House side. The plan received 76. 

Eight representatives, all Democrats, said no and one abstained. Twenty members did not vote, according to published information.

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