Livingston Parish Business Leaders Announce state priorities for 2015 Legislative Session
The Chamber's Governmental Affairs Committee hosted the State Delegation representing Livingston Parish to discuss the 2015 Legislative Session and the priorities for the parish in regards to business. Representatives Pope, Hodges and Schexnaydre plus Senator Erdey attended. Representative Mack and Senators White and Amedee were unable to attend. Business leaders in attendance were Wayne Dugas / Lard Oil, Craig Schimpf / Entergy, Karen Crayton / AMG Speciality Hospital, Shelby Carnahan / CPA, Regina Scott/ North Oaks Health System, Curt Nickels / Farm Bureau Ins., John Holmes / Holmes Building Materials, Jimmy Durbin, Candy Forbes / Denham Springs Housing & John Blount / Blount General Contractors.
Business leaders presented topics to the delegation for discussion which included budget, business development, transportation, parish projects, health insurance premiums, inventory tax, corporate tax credits, education, and other state issues affecting Livingston Parish businesses and their employees.
When business leaders were asked about specifics at the state level affecting their business the following topics were presented: Cigarette tax, gasoline tax, industry and growth, Medicaid funding, lower reimbursements, infrastructure cuts, flood insurance, transportation, retirement system, freight tax, fema maps, employee health insurance premiums, emergency room access, Stelly plan and sales tax equitable for all.
The $1.6 billion budget shortfall facing Louisiana this year. Changes to the business tax credits will be a consideration by the committees and delegation. The inventory tax credits impact Livingston Parish with a value of about $3 million annually. Louisiana is one of only a few states which impose an inventory tax.
The Capitol Region Legislative Delegation has outlined the following priorities:
- I-12 Widening to Walker/Satsuma (EBR, Livingston) -The current funding includes $48,000,000 in Priority 1 CLOC GOBONDs and sold GOBONDs. Two of the projects are complete and the last project was let 10/9/13. (THE CHAMBER HAS SUPPORTED THIS PROJECT AS PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.)
- Hooper Road Widening and Extension (EBR) - Project currently has $2.7M in Priority 1 CLOC. DOTD requested $4.2M in new Priority 2 CLOC in the 2016 Regular Session in order to advance to the preconstruction engineering, stage.
- Overlay Head of Island LA 16 to Port Vincent - $5 Million needed to overlay this deteriorated roadway due to growing population in the area. This is an 8.9-mile segment of roadway.
- Go Program - $2.25 Million - Proposed improvements will consist of expanding the existing two lane roadway into a four lane divided roadway including intersection improvements at all major intersections, consisting of roundabouts or dedicated turn lanes. In order to accommodate safe, access to business/facilities located along the corridor, u-turns will be strategically located along the route. Capacity and safety will be the primary consideration for all improvements.
- Livingston/Ascension Wildlife & Fisheries Outpost on the Diversion - $200,000 - Construction of a small facility to use for waterway law enforcement housing and staged response.
- Town of Livingston Water Tower/Well - $1 million - Construction of a new elevated water tower and water supply well and will serve the area near the I-12 and Highway 63 intersection, both north and south of I-12
- Overlay of LA 22 from Head of Island to Chinquapin Bridge - $2.8 million - LA 22 is a major 4.1-mile highway that supports industry and tourism in Livingston, Ascension and St. James Parishes. This highway is in deplorable condition with a bad base and no shoulder. Repair of this road is needed to keep economic development moving forward in the river region
- Springfield/Killian Police Joint Facility - $500,000 - Construction of a joint facility that will house the fire and police service for the communities of Killian and Springfield. The facility will be used as a staging, distribution area and safe haven during storms.
Education: It is likely there will be a change to TOPS and a cap will be the outcome. Discussion on the number of 4 year universities in the state are always a consideration as well as cost comparisons and convenience of 2 year colleges.
The Comite project, funding and expenditures to date and the future of the project. The drafting a bill which deals with immigration and services provided.
Diversion Project: $90 million project for the 200 mile shore for Lake Maurepas for flood consideration. Rep Schexnaydre has been working with Congressman Garret Graves on the project. The project is funded $30 million from the state, $60 million from BP. The remaining amount will be funded through federal funds.
Incarceration Rates: Louisiana has the highest incarceration rates with mental illness being a significant issue in the system. Funding for mental illness programs and cost to incarcerate are considerations going forward.
