LABI Newsroom.

• The Table

  January 18, 2016

  By: Stephen Waguespack There is a subtle, yet significant, distinction between being “at” the table or being “on” it. If you don’t believe it, ask the Thanksgiving turkey how much he enjoys his seat at the table every year. Last week,… (Continue)

• When Should Really Means Shall

  December 14, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Lawyers love to fight about the nuances and subtle distinctions in the English language in order to achieve a specific result. Politicians do as well.  In the last legislative session and throughout this fall’s gubernatorial campaign, politicians have… (Continue)

• The “Other” Budget Challenge

  December 7, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Much has been written about Louisiana’s chronic state budget deficit. It seems the $25 billion state governmental budget is short once again; and the upcoming special legislative session is being hyped as the solution we have long… (Continue)

• A New Game Plan

  November 30, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack The decision is made. We selected our leader, and now it is time to focus on solving our problems. No, I’m not talking about Coach Miles and the work ahead for the Tigers’ top dog and his team… (Continue)

• Reflection Before Action

  November 23, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack Thankfully, the 2015 election season is finally over. After six months of attack ads and sound bites filled with personal accusations and character assassinations, we can move on as a state and get to work on the… (Continue)

• The Pied Piper

  November 9, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack The Louisiana people are rightly frustrated and they are looking for hope. They want a new approach to old problems, inspiring leadership to rally around, honesty to admire and integrity to emulate. On November 21, voters head to… (Continue)

• Big Election for The Big Easy

  November 2, 2015

  By: Stephen Waguespack There is potentially no more important issue in Louisiana than improving our educational system, yet this is not getting the attention it deserves in the governor’s race. Decades of poor educational outcomes have contributed to our chronic challenges… (Continue)

• 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)

• 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)