During the three consecutive legislative sessions earlier this year, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry was often at odds with Gov. John Bel Edwards’ administration and its plans to balance the budget.
But in Washington, D.C., this week they’ve been in lockstep as they lobby Congress for a comprehensive flood-relief package for Louisiana.
“Business and political leaders have been working across party lines,” says LABI President Stephen Waguespack, who has been in D.C. all week for a variety of meetings. “We’ve been working with the administration. I met with the governor earlier today. Any political and policy differences, we’ve left that down there.”
Edwards has also been back in the nation’s capital this week, just days after testifying on Sept. 9 before Congress, for a more than $2 billion flood relief package. In a rare show of unity, the state’s congressional delegation is pushing hard for the package, which the Obama administration is also backing.
Waguespack says he is optimistic the state will get a portion of the aid through a continuing resolution, which Congress must pass before it recesses for fall break.
“My guess is they’ll do a down payment for the Louisiana relief now and then do another round there later this year,” he says. “Our delegation has been working really hard together.”
Several small business owners from the Capital Region were also in Washington today, testifying before U.S. Sen. David Vitter’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee about the federal government’s response to the flooding disaster.
They included: Patrick Mulhearn, executive director of Celtic Studios; Ron Erickson, president and CEO of the Central Chamber of Commerce; and State Rep. Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, who owns Car Craft Automotive.
“To achieve our full potential as a nation we must be willing to do what it takes to get an American state back on its feet after a natural disaster,” Mulhearn testified before the committee. “Today it is Louisiana. Tomorrow it could be your state.”
—Stephanie Riegel
