April 19, 2017

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LABI Weekly Recap
   The House Ways & Means Committee, which will be front and center this fiscal session, held its first meetings this week. Chairman Neil Abramson began the hearing Tuesday by explaining that the Committee will review tax bills by subject area with discussion and testimony prior to scheduling the bills for a vote. After only two days of testimony, the Chairman instead adjourned early, noting the centerpiece of the Governor's plan, a Commercial Activity Tax (CAT), is yet to be filed(since then it has been filed. See below.) and fiscal notes are not available on major tax bills sitting with the Committee.
   The House and Senate are set to re-convene Monday afternoon when the Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee will begin debating tax exemptions, includin g a bill limiting the Industrial Property Tax Exemption . The deadline for filing bills for this session is next Wednesday. LABI will review additional tax bills as they are filed.
 
Committee Highlight:
   Rep. Kenny Havard (R-Jackson) was up first Tuesday in the Ways and Means Committee to present a series of his bills making tax changes, during which he iterated his support for the Governor's concept of a Commercial Activity Tax on all businesses. In his testimony, Rep. Havard echoed Governor Edwards, noting that he believes business is not paying its "fair share." Watch his discussion with Rep. Ted James (D-Baton Rouge) on this topic below: 



News

LABI President's View: A New Beginning
   This weekend, Christians all over the world will be celebrating the most important holiday of the church calendar. It marks the resurrection of Jesus, who died for our sins and rose on the third day, in  fulfillment of the scriptures. It follows Lent, the 40-day time of fasting and penance when Christians prepare for this occasion.
   In Louisiana, we also place a heavy emphasis on the days leading up to Lent. Each year at Mardi Gras, we pass a good time with friends and family, knowing that 40 days of sacrifice await us. 
   This cycle repeats itself each year. As we begin another legislative session this week, there are some seasonal parallels to the debate we are preparing to have on the somber and sobering cycle of incarceration.


LABI Responds to Governor's Bill to Raise $900
Million in Taxes on Louisiana Employers

     Late Monday afternoon, Governor John Bel Edwards shared the details of his proposed $900 million new tax on employers known as the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). In his statement, the Governor again blamed Louisiana businesses for the state's budget woes. LABI issued a response (see below), reiterating our concerns with the CAT.

    WE NEED YOUR VOICE NOW. Download and review HB 628 by Rep. Sam Jones,  which imposes the Commercial Activity Tax. Then tell us how this tax would affect  your business and your ability to create and retain jobs in Louisiana. Email your  feedback directly to LABI's Director of the Tax Council, Jim Patterson, at  jimp@labi.org as soon    
as possible.

   In addition, SAVE THE DATE for next Monday and Tuesday, April 24th and 25thto join us at the Capitol when the CAT bill will be heard in Committee.


Take action now. 
Stand up for Louisiana energy jobs
      The oil and natural gas industry is essential to Louisiana's economy and the hundreds of thousands of people working in and alongside it. Show your support to state leaders on May 2, at the 2017 Oil and Natural Gas Industry Day.
 

Advocacy

Advocating for hurricane protection.


Advocating for coastal 
protection and restoration.

This Week 
Around Louisiana

The Chesapeake Group is hired  by the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber  of Commerce to lobby in Baton Rouge  on behalf of the business community  in our region. 

     The links below are a few of the highlights in news from around Louisiana for the week ending April 14 , 2017.
By Tyler Bridges |  The Advocate
  By Jeremy Alford
 
By Jeff Adelson | The Advocate
By Will Sentell |  The Advocate

By Mike Scott, NOLA.com
The Times-Picayune

Melinda Deslatte |  The Associated Press

By Ted Griggs |  The Advocate
By John Guidroz |  The American Press

Greg Hilburn |  USA Today Network