The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry endorsed candidates in 52 races for this year’s state elections. Of those, all but four either won outright or advanced to next month’s runoff, says Andree Miller, LABI’s director of political action committees. 

“There are some really big and bold things that need to happen, and they have no reason to not make it happen,” she says. “At least from the 30,000-foot view, they’re all on the same page.” 

Asked about policy specifics, Jim Patterson, LABI’s vice president of government relations, immediately brings up education, specifically savings accounts. While ESA proposals have varied, the basic idea is to allow some students to attend private schools on the taxpayer’s dime, which outgoing Gov. John Bel Edwards has opposed. 

Insurance and public safety also are high on the agenda. And while next year’s regular session won’t focus on fiscal issues, Patterson says the year to come provides an opportunity to get buy-in for an overhaul of the state’s tax system. 

While there will be winners and losers in any major tax overhaul, he says, the trick will be to make sure no one wins or loses too much and everyone feels they are treated fairly. 

“It’s an opportunity to get the field ready for what you’re going to sow,” he says. 

The Baton Rouge Area Chamber’s priorities, which generally echo LABI’s, remain the same no matter who is in office. 

“Governor-elect Landry has spoken about willingness to consider structural tax changes and constitutional changes, and we hope and expect this new legislature will be more open to some needed education, economic development, workforce and public safety policy changes, as well as a big push around insurance reforms,” BRAC says in a prepared statement.