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Legislative Priorities.
Current Session Issues
The 2023 Legislative Session will be the beginning of a momentous year of opportunity for Louisiana. A fall election cycle that is driven by term-limits up and down the ballot—including Governor, Legislative leadership and many other open seats due to current office holders pursuing other positions—will present a clear opportunity for voters to choose a new path for Louisiana’s future.
It will be the mission of LABI throughout the year to ensure the principles of free enterprise are driving most decisions for voters. That begins with policy efforts during the Legislative Session and through the LA23 strategic planning process, as well as campaign efforts including candidate bootcamps, interviews and endorsements through our regional PACs. All will be connected in 2023 and will help set the tone for the next governing cycle.
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Health Care
LABI encourages a cost-effective, competitive health care market as an incentive to economic growth, while assuring that consumers in Louisiana continue to receive high-quality, accessible and affordable health care.
LABI opposes the adoption of a single-payer, government-run health care system and takes an active role in public policy that would affect health care costs and outcomes, an employer’s right to contract, or an employer’s flexibility to determine and provide employee benefits.
Recognizing the importance of the health care industry to Louisiana’s economic development, LABI supports creative iniatives to grow a qualified allied health workforce and strong in-state capacity for medical research.
Trade, Transportation and Tourism
LABI recognizes the direct correlation between a thriving business community and investing in a safe and sustainable transportation system. A modernized infrastructure system across all modes of transportation is paramount in fueling Louisiana’s economy, and LABI is focused on common sense policies and reforms geared to increase statewide productivity, enhance businesses’ ability to move their products across the nation, and remain globally relevant.
LABI encourages the enactment and enforcement of state and federal laws and policies that promote long-term solutions to Louisiana’s transportation needs, free flow of national and international trade, and the state’s unique tourism attractions.
Technology
Technology constantly changes the way we live, work, and socialize. Innovations and technological advancements stimulate our economy, improve workplace training programs and make it easier for businesses to deliver goods and services to the ever-expanding marketplace.
The relationship between technology developers and the businesses that rely on their products to operate is vital. It is important for businesses to partner with academic research and development institutions to help speed up the commercialization of budding technologies so these advancements can be brought to the marketplace more quickly. It is also important to recognize and safeguard against the cybersecurity threats which jeopardize both the assets and growth of Louisiana businesses
The council will actively support technology policies that improve the strength and competitiveness of Louisiana businesses and industries in the global marketplace.
Taxation and Finance
LABI will actively work for the enactment of fiscal policies that promote a stronger state economy, with a focus on private sector job creation. Businesses in Louisiana pay a disproportionate share of the tax burden as compared with other states. This places our state at a significant disadvantage in the competition for business investment and the jobs it creates. LABI will promote constructive reforms that ensure our state’s economic development while securing sufficient revenues for appropriate government services at both the state and local levels.
Small Business
The small business community in Louisiana plays a vital role in Louisiana’s economy. Growth will greatly depend on maintaining a healthy industrial base coupled with a thriving small business community. More than 75% of LABI’s membership is comprised of small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. LABI recognizes the concerns of small business and over the growing risk of liability associated with routine business operations and governmentally imposed costs and regulations.
Governmental Reform
LABI encourages the enactment and enforcement of state laws and policies that are honest, fair, transparent and responsible, allowing all citizens to participate in electoral and governmental processes.
Environmental Quality
LABI’s goal is to protect and improve the environment while maintaining a strong economic base.
Energy
LABI represents energy producing, transporting and consuming industries. We will continue to support energy policies that will promote high-paying jobs in this industry that help our resilient service companies thrive. We oppose the abusive litigation that has directly contributed to this sector’s decline and will delay and/or derail its recovery. We promote production of all forms of energy at competitive prices, opposing increased unreasonable taxes and fees on energy sources, encouraging conservation of resources, and balancing environmental concerns with energy production and usage.
Employee Relations
The Employee Relations Council will support efforts to make Louisiana’s workers’ compensation (WC) system more balanced and less costly. In most other respects, Louisiana’s employment laws are generally viewed as employer friendly when compared to other states. Unfortunately, each session, bills are filed to expose employers to lawsuits from their employees and/or restrict employers’ ability to manage their workers efficiently and productively. This year will be no different, and LABI will once again be ready to defend against such legislative intrusion in the workplace.
Education and Workforce Development
Years of state commitment to education reform are now yielding positive results in Louisiana. Graduation rates are improving, along with ACT scores, and the achievement gap continues to lessen. There are more opportunities for school choice than most other states in the nation, and traditional public schools are responding to competition with additional course offerings such as Course Access and more relevant technical training in high school through programs such as JumpStart.
The challenge remains great. Our state still lags in national rankings of student readiness, and likely will continue to do so as standards and assessments are slowly but methodically raised to be more competitive with other states. Education and jobs are the paths out of poverty, and Louisiana’s citizens deserve a high-quality education and the opportunity to prosper. LABI will continue to advocate for students, taxpayers and employers to connect a more skilled workforce with high-wage, high-demand jobs in a 21st century economy.
Civil Justice Reform
Louisiana’s liability exposure is a major concern to individuals, government, professionals and businesses, both large and small. We know for Louisiana’s economy to improve, it is necessary that its civil justice system improves. We will defend the meaningful reform made in 2020 and continue to fight to further improve Louisiana’s judicial system.
