May 30, 2017

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LA SAFE Community Meetings

The state program LA SAFE is aimed at creating a plan and implementing solutions for our coastal land loss crisis. They are hosting three community meetings in Terrebonne seeking input from the community.
Click here for more information.
The Latest in Oil & Natural Gas
Local experts weigh-in on
President Trump's effect on the industry
via KLFY News

Louisianians recently took it upon themselves to address President Trump on the issues facing the state's oil and natural gas industry.

Leonard Castille, of Offshore Energy Services, discussed how jobs are being forced out of Louisiana to neighboring states, because more states are competing for energy investment. "Louisiana's Gov. Edwards is wanting to benefit and get oil and gas revenues from the state. He is going to have to work with the president and the federal government to ensure that we do have jobs available and that we are enticing oil and gas companies to come back here and drill. We cannot make a living on suing the hand that feeds us," advised Castille.

Click here to read comments by Moncla Drilling Operations and Rep. Blake Miguez. 

Young Professionals in Energy
are proud to be Louisiana oil and gas

Young Professionals in Energy and GLAC recently met over a boiling pot of crawfish to mingle and talk about the benefits of working in the industry. These young professionals shared what makes them part of Louisiana's oil and natural gas industry. Click here to see their stories.
LABI President's View


President's View
By Stephen Waguespack 

Having spent over 20 years in public policy, I understand that compromise is often necessary to achieving reform. This is proving to be true with the criminal justice reform package working its way through the Louisiana State Legislature.

While the original recommendations of the Justice Reinvestment Task Force would have taken more drastic steps, the latest compromise would be a sensible step for Louisiana. Over the next decade, the package in its current form would save the state $262 million and reinvest 70 percent of the savings - more than $183 million - into programs that would rehabilitate inmates with drug treatment and job training, as well as aid the victims of crime.

These reforms are a compromise product of successful negotiations between law enforcement, legislative leaders and other state officials. This package enjoys broad support from business groups like the one I am proud to represent, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), which represents more than 2,200 businesses and 324,000 employees in Louisiana. From our point of view, the status quo is unacceptable and has damaged our state, our people, and our economy. Reform is definitely needed.
LABI Updates

The House debated several tax measures this week, specifically HB 673 by Rep. Julie Stokes (R-Kenner), HB 444 and HB 445 by Rep. Seabaugh (R-Shreveport).

News

The Advocate writes about the likelihood of another special session.  READ HERE .

Vice-President of the United States Mike Pence 
visited Louisiana this week and was hosted by LABI 
member Cajun Industries at their pipe fabrication facility 
in Port Allen. The Vice-President discussed job creation, tax reform, and healthcare among other topics. To read more about his visit, CLICK HERE.

Jeremy Alford reported on the battle over minimum wage this week in Senate Finance. READ HERE.

The Restore Louisiana Task Force announced that a
l oan application process opens TODAY for Louisiana
small businesses and nonprofits who were in the 51
disaster-declared parishes affected by severe flooding last year. Learn more HERE.

 Louisiana Legislative 
Update & 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 
May 26, 2017.
By Tyler Bridges | The Advocate
 
By Rebekah Allen |  The Advocate
By Tyler Bridges |  The Advocate
By Greg Hilburn |  The USA Network
By Julie O'Donoghue | NOLA.com

Melinda Deslatte | 
The Associated Press

By Richard Rainey | NOLA.COM

By Tyler Bridges | The Advocate

By Ken Stickney |  The Daily Advertiser

By Jim Bean |  The American Press
Advocacy

Advocating for hurricane protection.
 
Advocating for coastal 
protection and restoration.
Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce, 6133 Hwy 311, Houma, LA 70360
(985) 876-5600 phone | (985) 876-5611 fax | houmachamber.com