Four state lawmakers provide key legislative updates to local business owners at chamber briefing

A chamber business briefing event held on July 21, 2022, saw four state representatives provide updates on wins for Livingston Parish.

The speakers included State House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, State Representative Valarie Hodges, State Representative Buddy Mincey Jr., and State Senator J. Rogers Pope. Each’s remarks focused on specific legislative endeavors ranging from manufacturing to infrastructure concerns.

Speaker Schexnayder was the first to address the crowd, speaking on the legislative wins for this past year. Here’s the key takeaways:

• Manufacturing bills this year addressed concerns regarding certified sites and even moved a part of LED under the office of Lieutenant Governor, the aim being to bring businesses into Louisiana.
• A Louisiana plan for the promotion of training in the various trades. This was implemented in a bill passed for trade teaching to youth through technical colleges.
• Speaker Schexnayder says this legislature “invested more money into roads, transportation, drainage, and education” than any other previous one.
• Next year’s legislative goal will be to address crime concerns in the state.

• The state legislature’s aim to redistrict was successful despite a legal battle that arose over how the state should handle the process. She also mentioned one new State Senate district in Tangipahoa and St. Tammany.
• Livingston Parish and Baton Rouge received more money, specifically $3 billion for flood mitigation and funds from the CARES act
• The Baton Rouge Metro Airport was recently renovated.  It generates $1 billion of economic revenue which positively effects Livingston Parish. Representative Hodges stated they aer working on a goal that includes direct flights to Washington D.C.
• $10 million was secured for the Hooper Road expansion. This will benefit plant traffic.
• The legislature and several state departments worked to finally target some impediments on the Diversion Canal and will remove them hopefully by next year.
• She referenced the continued mission to fix flooding to help families and businesses in the area.

• Resolution passed aimed at increasing the effectiveness of the Amite River Basin Commission. $8 million has been allotted to the commission as well.
• Another resolution passed aimed at fixing the I-12 Barrier flood problem and getting DOTD to explore solutions.  
• A CPRA study will be conducted for the dredging of the Amite River.
• Our area is considered 8^th on the list for flooding relieve priority relative to funds. An attempt to get our area to be considered its own region by the OCD is in the works to increase our aid potential.
• $176 million was allotted for broadband access across the state with $3.4 million aimed for our parish council to utilize in a special committee on the issue. Currently 40% in our area are unserved with broadband in our community.
• Getting a cell tower built in the parish is in the works. It would be a $750 million investment that could reach a 35-mile radius.
• $10 million has been allotted to the Diversion Canal Weir.
• A roundabout is planned for LA 64 and 1019 at Magnolia Beach Road and another at Eaton Church Road and Lockhart
• He referenced the potential for a Highway 16 turning lane.
• The Cook Road expansion is in need of complete funding currently.
• 4-H Club Road at Vincent and Bass Pro can anticipate a roundabout.
• The Juban widening project has utilities relocated and the process is underway, but a waterline needs moving.
• The Juban and 190 project had to wait 778 days for AT&T and 962 days for Entergy to relocate utilities. This was way above the double-digit time estimates.
• The Juban N. to Lockhart extension has about $676.7 million from capital outlay but there are still concerns about finalizing funding. It is anticipated to have 4 lanes and a sidewalk on each side.
• The widening on 447 south of I-12 from Joe May to Buddy Ellis has $27 million dedicated currently. The only hitch is the lighting for the bridge.

• Livingston Parish had a lot addressed for infrastructure by the state.
• The committees he is on as well as the three to four each other state senator sits on have worked on are vital in the process to helping the Livingston Parish area.
• Some changes and efforts have been made to benefit the usage of funds on the local level.
• Northshore Technical and Community College might see a campus expansion. The college itself needs promoting.