The business lobby notched a small win on the final day of the legislative session two weeks ago when a handful of bills targeting Louisiana companies and the taxes they pay were given three-year expiration dates. But it only slightly sweetened what was otherwise an an unsavory end to a painful two months.
From the day the session convened on April 13 to the day it adjourned on June 11, business and industry seemed more like it was on the table than at the table.
After several years of midyear budget cuts, redirecting money from state reserve funds and privatization efforts, lawmakers felt they were left with few other choices than to go after business to fully fund health care and higher education.
As a result, many in the business community feel like they have no other choice than to begin looking more seriously at the fall ballot, with an eye to electing a friendlier Legislature—and in some cases, maybe serve up retribution.
The big threat, however, is that incumbent lawmakers will not only have to face additional scrutiny from the usual business groups with political action committees, but all of the business-related players with vested interests at the Capitol.
LABI president Stephen Waguespack says in regard to the fall elections that his group will soon “re-evaluate, re-focus and start meeting with our (political action committees).”
“Ninety percent of the tax increases passed this session have been on business,” Waguespack adds.
Dawn R. Starns, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says her group is sticking with its 70% two-year voting threshold.
“But with the votes they’ve taken this session, several will likely take some hits in our scoring,” she adds.
Like LABI and NFIB, the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association was expected to be heavily engaged in elections this year. But LMOGA will spend more this fall than ever before—a strategy that was formulated prior to the session being convened.
For a closer look at what business groups might have planned, as well as a wrap up on the session’s impact on business and industry, read the full column.
They said it: “I don’t count his guns, and he doesn’t count my shoes.” – Sen. Sherri Smith Buffington, on married life
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
