Statewide Issues Supported by the Chamber
The Jefferson Chamber serves as the voice of business for Jefferson Parish, but also on local, regional and statewide issues. The Chamber listens closely and acts proactively on the issues and concerns of its members and the business community. The Jefferson Chamber supported numerous pieces of state legislation that were WINS in the 2019 legislative session:
• EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION An overall increase of $15 million plus in new money allocated to early childhood care and education. This is first time, new money that has been allocated in 10 years!
• INFRASTRUCTURE An allocation of $700 million to fund 10 key infrastructure projects throughout the state. Using funds diverted out of the BP Oil Spill money, this is the biggest investment in roads and bridges in more than three decades.
• TRANSPORTATION After a three year debate, approval of a statewide framework for ridesharing companies, such as Uber and Lyft.
• TEACHER PAY  A $1,000 pay raise to teachers as well as a $39 million increase for schools to use at their discretion. The Chamber also supported and funded a successful local initiative to raise teacher pay through a voter tax referendum. This effort brought salaries from second to last in the ten-parish region to second in the same area, making hiring and retention more competitive.
• TRIAL LAWYER ADVERTISING  A resolution requesting the Louisiana Supreme Court and Louisiana State Bar Association to review rules governing solicitation advertising by attorneys. This resolution passed both chambers with zero opposition!
Looking forward into 2020, we expect the major statewide issues important to the business community to surround meaningful tort reform, further increased funding for early childhood education, and funding for transportation infrastructure.
Day at the Legislature
During the Legislative Session, members of the Chamber travel to the Louisiana State Capitol to meet with Jefferson Parish’s Legislative Delegation and Parish officials. The 2019 Day at the Legislature, presented by Uber, included a legislative briefing and an evening reception catered by Drago’s. The Day at the Legislature is an opportunity to learn about the legislative process and receive information on the status of key legislation critical to Jefferson Parish and the business community.
Washington D.C. Fly-In
Each year, business leaders and local elected officials travel to Washington, D.C., to promote and discuss the Chamber’s federal legislative agenda. The 2019 Fly-In, presented by Zito Companies, offered business and community leaders the opportunity to share their feedback with Louisiana’s congressional delegation and key staff members. While in D.C., the group deliberated with nationally recognized experts on topics such as affordable flood insurance, flood protection, coastal restoration, and transportation infrastructure, attended a reception with Congressman Steve Scalise, and received a guided tour of the Pentagon.
PAC Fundraiser
In Summer 2019, the Jefferson Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC) hosted a PAC Fundraiser, presented by Hollis Companies, with special guest Congressman Steve Scalise. Funds raised were used toward supporting pro-business candidates in the local and state elections held in Fall 2019. The Jefferson Chamber PAC’s endorsements have proven to be valuable, with 21 of 24 PAC endorsed candidates winning their elections. To learn more, visit jeffersonchamberpac.org.
Ready Louisiana Coalition
Ready Louisiana and the Chamber, along with a growing number of other business, faith based, advocacy and community groups in Louisiana, have committed to work together to advocate for additional funding for early care and education programs from all possible funding sources – to ensure that every child has access to high quality early education programs that meets their needs, prepares our students for success in school, and supports their parents’ workforce participation and productivity, and our state’s economy.
In 2019, the coalition advocated for additional state funds to be appropriated to early care and education in general, and for early care and education to be a top priority for all funding from any new revenues, including fantasy sports betting, which has already been legalized in the state, and regular sports betting, should the latter be legalized in Louisiana. For more information and ways to get involved, visit readylouisiana.org.
