The Guardian of Small Business award is one of NFIB’s most coveted and prestigious honors, given to legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small business issues. In 2015, NFIB/Louisiana recognized four legislators with Guardian Awards.
“I’m proud to have the opportunity to present these four deserving legislators with NFIB’s highest honor,” says Dawn Stars, NFIB’s Louisiana state director. “These legislators exemplify what it means to be guardians of small business, not only evidenced by the votes they cast, but also by their willingness to understand the real impact public policy decisions have on Louisiana small business owners.”
Senator Bret Allain—District 21
Sen. Allain, a sugarcane farmer born and raised on Bayou Teche, was elected to the Senate in 2012. He serves on Senate Finance, Agriculture, Health and Welfare, and Natural Resources committees as well as the Joint Legislative Committee on Budget and Coastal Restoration and Flood Control. During the 2015 legislative session, Sen. Allain played a key role in protecting the bottom lines of Louisiana small business owners by carrying an amendment to the inventory tax credit repeal and voting against higher taxes and additional regulations. Sen. Allain’s efforts earned him a 100 percent voting record with NFIB during the 2015 legislative session and an 86 percent in 2014-2015.
Senator Neil Riser—District 32
Sen. Riser has been a staunch ally of small business since he was elected in 2008. Since 2012, he has served as the chairman of Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs in addition to sitting on Senate Agriculture, Labor and Governmental Affairs committees. In committee during the 2015 session, Sen. Riser led efforts to protect small business owners from proposals to eliminate state sales tax holidays. As a small business owner himself, Sen. Riser understands the needs of local businesses, the necessity to reduce the government’s role in their lives and the importance of avoiding impact to their bottom lines. Sen. Riser earned a 100 percent voting record for both the 2014 regular session and 2015 fiscal session.
Representative Bryan Adams—District 43
Rep. Adams, who sells firetrucks and is a former volunteer firefighter in Jefferson Parish, was elected in 2011. He is vice chairman of the House Appropriations committee and serves on the House Criminal Justice and Judiciary committees. Rep. Adams protected small business from the inventory tax credit repeal by supporting an amendment to his House Bill 805, exempting small business owners who received $10,000 or less in credit back from the state. Rep. Adams’ work as a champion for small business earned him a 100 percent voting record in 2013 and 2014, and a 75 percent voting record in 2015.
Representative Nancy Landry—District 31
Rep. Landry, a small business owner and family law counselor, was elected in 2008. She sits on the House Education, Civil Law and Procedure, and Judiciary committees. Since being elected, Rep. Landry has been a strong supporter of small business by checking in often to learn what NFIB’s position is on legislation before her in committee as well as taking the opportunity during floor debate to ask questions in support of NFIB’s position. Rep. Landry holds a 75 percent voting record from 2012-2013, 100 percent for 2014 and 89 percent for 2015.
