6 Ways to Strengthen Louisiana's Economy

Date: September 14, 2015

NFIB/Louisiana has joined 60 other Louisiana business and civic groups in launching the Coalition for a Stronger Economy (CASE).

“NFIB is proud to sign on to the CASE Agenda because it embodies what our small business members believe are keys to moving Louisiana forward,” said Dawn Starns, state director of NFIB/Louisiana. “We must proactively seek pro-business policies to retain and grow the small and family-owned businesses that make the backbone of the Louisiana economy strong and vibrant.”

CASE is urging all public officials and candidates to take action on its “Six Strategies for a More Prosperous Louisiana.”

1. Accelerate growth in the private sector. 

  • Private-sector job creation and diversification of the state’s economy should be advanced through proactive recruitment and retention activities that include data-driven, competitive incentives.
  • Government at all levels should seek to reduce regulations on the private sector, favoring limited government and a free-market approach.

2. Adopt a pro-growth tax code.

  • The state tax code should be nationally competitive and drive economic growth.
  • The tax structure and administration should be simple and efficient for businesses and citizens alike.
  • Local reliance on state support should be rightsized in line with best-practice states.

3. Transform state budgeting to allow for prioritization of spending.

  • Statutory limitations that prohibit the prioritization of state spending should be reviewed, reformed, reduced, or eliminated where appropriate.
  • The cost drivers in the state budget must be addressed, reducing the need for more taxpayer dollars year after year. This includes long-term changes to state retirement plans, laws that are smart on crime, risk management reforms, and others.

4. Develop Louisiana’s workforce to promote individual prosperity and a healthy economy for the future.

  • All students in preK-12 schools should be provided with the foundation for success through high standards, accountability, and choice.
  • Demand and performance should drive an innovative, responsive education system from pre-K through higher education.
  • Louisiana’s institutions of higher education should be efficient and empowered to be market-responsive. 
  • Federal, state, and local workforce training efforts should be aligned, coordinated, and leveraged to meet the needs of workers and industry alike.

5. Prioritize infrastructure to sustain economic growth.

  • Taxpayer funds intended for state transportation and infrastructure should be invested accordingly.
  • Areas of economic growth should be prioritized with strategic investments for urgent improvements, including large-scale capacity projects.
  • Infrastructure should be defined comprehensively with appropriate emphasis on multi-modal solutions.

6. Improve Louisiana’s legal climate to be fair, efficient, and accountable.

  • Frivolous lawsuits – including such litigation by public bodies – should be discouraged, preserving a fair and efficient system for real claims and real victims.
  • Transparency and citizen access should be hallmarks of the legal system.

CASE’s agenda is a multi-year platform of priorities to keep Louisiana moving forward. The coalition said, “From workforce development to infrastructure to lawsuit reform, there are fundamental issues that still must be addressed to take Louisiana to the next level.”

“We are proud to call Louisiana home and look forward to working with elected officials to ensure the next generation has even more reasons to do the same,” the coalition said.

Related Content: Small Business News | Economy | Louisiana

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