BATON ROUGE, LA (August 10, 2017) – The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) received national recognition recently for its research and advocacy on Louisiana tax policy. The Governmental Research Association announced LABI won the 2017 Most Effective Education Award on July 18th in Salt Lake City for its campaign entitled Louisiana Business Tax Policy: Research, Awareness, and Advocacy.
The Governmental Research Association (GRA) was founded in 1914 to encourage individuals and organizations to engage in governmental research in the general interest. With regard to the Most Effective Education award, GRA notes: “This award shall recognize research and/or educational activities that are intended to educate the public and/or public officials on governmental matters…The report and/or activities should have increased or broadened awareness or understanding of an important government issue, thereby enabling more informed public discourse and decision-making. The award shall be based on the informational content of the report and/or activities, and on the manner in which the subject matter is communicated to achieve the agency’s educational purposes.” GRA issued a press release with the 2017 award winners here.
LABI Senior Vice President Camille Conaway stated: “2016 and 2017 have been unprecedented with regard to legislative and administrative actions on tax policy in Louisiana. LABI is proud to be recognized for our efforts to keep our members and the public up-to-date with the latest research and information on a constantly evolving tax framework that affects the day-to-day activities of small and large companies across the state.”
LABI produced a three-part research series in 2015 and 2016, Budget Basics, that offers nearly two-dozen recommendations on budget reform. The organization also released two publications documenting the outcomes of business tax policy changes in 2016 and how those new laws place Louisiana nationally. LABI’s staff participated in and presented to several official Task Forces on business tax policy throughout 2016 and offered a workshop for legislators on fiscal policy in early 2017, as well.
In a direct appeal to raise public awareness, the LABI president and CEO embarked on a 13-city tour in the spring of 2017 that focused on fiscal reform and the need for fundamental, long-term changes in how Louisiana state and local government are structured and funded. This presentation and slide show was received in person by more than 2,000 people in every region of the state in a six-week period. The events and topics were covered in print, TV, and radio with leading editorial columns citing LABI’s research, as well.
This is the first GRA award for LABI and the second for LABI’s Senior Vice President Camille Conaway, who won the Most Distinguished Research award in 2015 for her report on R&D in Louisiana higher education on behalf of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR). Conaway added: “LABI will continue to offer well-researched, policy-driven publications, communications, and testimony to improve both public understanding of the complexities of the fiscal challenges facing the state, as well as the need for a comprehensive approach that embraces budget and tax reform that can lead to an improved outlook for both the economy and the state fisc.”
For press inquiries, contact:
Camille Ivy-O’Donnell
(817) 944-5091
camillei@labi.org
About the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry was organized in 1975 to represent Louisiana businesses, serving as both the state chamber of commerce and state manufacturers association. LABI’s primary goal is to foster a climate for economic growth by championing the principles of the free enterprise system and representing the general interest of the business community through active involvement in the political, legislative, judicial and regulatory processes. Find out more information at www.labi.org.
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