Lobbyist Update:
CHAMBER’S LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE PROPOSES AGEND
The Chamber’s Legislative Policy Committee, chaired by Brian Bond of AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company, met in a three hour work session last week to recommend policy positions on more than 100 pieces of state legislation.
After gathering input from you, our members, and from ally organizations we directed our focus to those bills that would have an effect on Northwest Louisiana and our business community. Your Chamber staff Sr. V.P. of Public Policy & Business Councils then screened each of the 1,700 PLUS bills that have been filed to date and directed more than 100 to the committee for further discussion. The committee considered the input we received from members as well as the impact each particular piece of legislation would have on business and our members.
The committee then sent its recommendations to the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors who spent this week considering those recommendations. We will have the final outcome for you in next week’s Member Advocate weekly report.
GOVERNOR’S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE PRESENTED
Without wasting any time, the administration presented its signature legislation to the House Labor & Industrial Relations Committee Thursday. House Bill 1104 (HB 1104) by Speaker of the House Jim Tucker was explained to the committee by Department of Labor Secretary Tim Barfield. Some of the key elements of the legislation include $10 million for a rapid response fund. “Fast Start” is a new program that will allow government to respond quickly to by being “aligned with market needs”. All of the proposals in the 82 page legislation follow the overall framework of the federal Workforce Development Act. The bill creates the “Workforce Development Council” to work with the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS) to set training priorities and to respond to the needs of the business community. The proposal is intended to be all inclusive and comprehensive in its approach to solving all aspects of workforce needs including the employers & their needs; employees & their training needs as well as meeting the needs of both for a more productive workforce. The proposed law seeks to provide a “clearinghouse” for workforce programs including adult education and support services such as child care. In testimony, it was explained that they wanted to be sure to include “child development” when addressing child care.
The House Labor & Industrial Relations Committee will be asked to vote on HB 1104 later this month. Northwest Louisiana’s only member on this committee is Rep. Jim Morris, who was present at Thursday’s committee hearing.
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JUSTIFIES ITS BUDGET
Stephen Moret, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development, was on the “hot seat” for three hours Tuesday before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Business Development. Moret outlined seven priority areas that LED will address in the next 18 months. LED’s goals are: 1) Marketing & Business Recruitment. They will focus on four points in this area - (a) increase Louisiana’s competitiveness through the proposals in the Workforce Development initiative, (b) workers compensation, (c) the competitiveness of Louisiana’s tax structure and (d) changes in the state’s capital outlay procedures. 2) Improve community competitiveness through LED and community partners. 3) Cultivate regional economic development opportunities. Moret mentioned Northwest Louisiana’s Cyber Command as an example of this area. 4) Business retention and expansion with existing business being the number one priority since they are responsible for the majority of the new jobs in the state. They are creating new positions in LED in this area and will be pro active in making visits to the leading companies in Louisiana with the potential to expand. 5) Development one of the best business development efforts through technology and managing major projects with better incentive packages (while conscious of the cost/benefit ratio to tax payers. 6) Aggressively cultivate small business growth by doing a better job of starting and growing those businesses. 7) Tell our story. Overcome the negative image, misperception or outdated perceptions of Louisiana’s business atmosphere. Moret then responded to numerous questions justifying his $320,000 proposed salary as well as the $237,000 salary of his newly hired Deputy Secretary, Steve Grissom.
