LABI Newsroom.

• 38.5

  October 26, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack A big election was held this weekend, though the numbers don’t show it. Only 38.5 percent of registered voters showed up and voted in Saturday’s election for governor. That’s right, 38.5 percent. This, after countless candidate forums, debates,… (Continue)

• Back to Basics

  October 20, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack It is time we look at the facts and get back to the basics. The budget of Louisiana’s state government is the top issue this election season. While issues such as improving educational outcomes for our children and… (Continue)

• Far From Short and Obscure

  October 12, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “A Constitution should be short and obscure.” If he were alive today and able to read our current long and substantive Louisiana Constitution now, he would likely not be pleased. Our first state Constitution was… (Continue)

• Apathy is a Powerful Emotion

  October 6, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Only one word is needed thus far to describe this election season:  apathy. Louisiana voters will head to the polls on Oct. 24 and the most predominant emotion emanating from our electorate is surprisingly the overwhelming indifference our… (Continue)

• Plenty of Good News in Manufacturing

  September 28, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Ready for some good news? In a world dominated by gloomy economic projections, combative political storylines, and unsettling international developments, it is helpful to periodically focus on some good news.  The hard-fought resurgence of American manufacturing is one… (Continue)

• A Visit to DC

  September 21, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack A visit to the nation’s capital can be inspiring and discouraging at the same time. Last week, more than twenty members of the LABI Board of Directors traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with our Congressional delegation, as… (Continue)

• The Ultimate Goal

  September 14, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Sometimes we can lose sight of the ultimate goal, especially when we are in the thick of the fight. The current political debate in Louisiana on government budgets and economic growth is a good example of this… (Continue)

• Standing Guard for 40 Years

  September 8, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) turned 40 years old on Friday, Sept. 4. LABI was created in 1975 by the merging of the Louisiana Manufacturers Association, the Louisiana State Chamber of Commerce and the Louisiana… (Continue)

• A Week of Reflection

  August 31, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack It was a tough week for many in Louisiana. This week, two Louisiana police officers were senselessly killed while simply doing their job. One officer had stopped on the side of the road to check on a stranded… (Continue)

• Guest Column: 10 Years After Hurricane Katrina

  August 24, 2015

  By: Brigitte Nieland August 29, 2015 marks the 10-year anniversary of New Orleans’ direct hit from the now infamous Category 5 mega storm, Hurricane Katrina. The power of the massive, 127 mph hurricane compromised the below sea-level city’s levee system,… (Continue)

• Stay the Course

  August 17, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack While the national presidential race is capturing most of the media and public attention these days, followed closely in Louisiana by the gubernatorial and legislative races, one board’s elections this fall have not made the front page… (Continue)

• Back to Reality

  August 10, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack It is hard to flip the channels these days and not come across one reality show after another. With low production costs, unlimited viewer interest in anything called “reality” despite how orchestrated it may be, and a… (Continue)

• Change is Inevitable

  August 3, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack It's almost time to turn the page. There are times throughout every year where we just have to move on to a different phase. While it can be tempting at times to assume that change will never happen… (Continue)

• Where Do We Go From Here?

  July 27, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack So where do we go from here? The legislative session that adjourned in June left many folks frustrated. While everyone was satisfied that the budgets for health care and higher education were stabilized, the exclusive dependence on new… (Continue)

• Guest Column: Flexible Work Options Benefit Small Businesses

  July 20, 2015

  By: Renee Amar A scientific opinion poll released last week shows many Louisiana small employers offer a variety of family-friendly benefits to attract and retain the best talent for their company. In the aftermath of the national recession, budget restraints, inadequate… (Continue)

• Knowledge is Power

  July 13, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Knowledge is power, but as Albert Einstein once said, “information is not knowledge.” This week, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) will release its 2015 scorecard for the Louisiana Legislature. The scorecard will be available on… (Continue)

• A Government of Men and Women

  July 6, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Are we really a “government of laws, not of men” as John Adams once famously said? Several instances over the last few weeks reminded us clearly that it is the opinions of men and women that determine what… (Continue)

• Guest Column: White House, Congress Should Take LIFO Repeal Off the Table

  June 29, 2015

  By: Jim Patterson Taxing business inventory was a major issue during this year’s legislative session. Louisiana’s archaic local inventory tax and the problematic Band-Aid of a state tax credit to offset it both came under fire. But there is another… (Continue)

• Do Your Job

  June 22, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack It was a good weekend to be a dad. The weather was nice, the U.S. Open was on TV and it was Father’s Day weekend. My boys and I enjoyed an overnight father/son basketball camp, visited our favorite… (Continue)

• A Step Forward for Roads

  June 16, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Much has been said about the recently concluded 2015 legislative session, though not much of it has been positive. The predominant message coming out of this two-month saga is simply “thank goodness it’s over.” The Legislature voted to… (Continue)