Advocacy Information

Throughout the year, the Jefferson Chamber meets regularly with its local, state and federal legislators. In preparation for these meetings, the Chamber surveys its membership to help identify and prioritize legislative issues on the horizon that will affect Jefferson Parish and holds a series of planning meetings with its government committee to define its legislative agenda. The resulting document outlines the issues that are important to the business community in Jefferson Parish. Our legislative agenda is shared with elected officials and the public.

Our Legislative agenda is very simple – to promote and protect a pro-business environment in Jefferson Parish.

LOCAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

• Economic Development & Pro-Business Environment
  • Advocate for smart industrial growth on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish
  • Encourage a more regional approach to policy and branding
• Education
  • Advocate for parish funds to be allocated to Early Childhood Care and Education to take advantage of the state’s 1:1 match
  • Continue to support of the Jefferson Parish Public Schools’ strategic plan “2024: The Future Our Kids Deserve” to upgrade infrastructure and invest in and retain quality educators while using a robust curriculum, prioritizing access, equity, and opportunity for all students, and partnering with community stakeholders.
  • Foster partnerships between Jefferson Parish Schools, our local universities, businesses, and business organizations
• Quality of Life      
  • Support redevelopment and improvement projects for economic growth in Jefferson Parish
  • Continue backing the Keep Louisiana Beautiful program for litter abatement in Jefferson Parish
  • Support collaborative programs that will assist in increasing the supply of affordable housing in Jefferson Parish

STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

• Economic Development & Pro-Business Environment
  • Advocate for tax reform and fiscal policies to ensure economic development while securing sufficient revenues for appropriate government services
  • Champion policies and legislation to make Louisiana a more viable and attractive insurance market
• Education and Workforce Development
  • Advocate for funding to ensure children have quality early childhood care and education
  • Advance standards, accountability, assessments, and transparency in Louisiana’s K-12 public school system
  • Encourage partnerships between K-12 schools, higher education, employers and relevant government agencies to combat Louisiana’s unemployment crisis
  • Support recommendations to define the role, scope, and mission of each higher education institution
• Transportation Infrastructure
  • Advocate for critical infrastructure projects which will benefit our communities and create economic opportunity across Louisiana
  • Explore financial options and available federal funding to fix Louisiana’s crumbling roads and bridges
  • Support the integrity, adequacy, and solvency of the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF)
• Budget Reform
  • Support efforts in state and local government to increase fiscal transparency and to operate in a more efficient, cost-effective, and fiscally responsible manner

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

• Flood Insurance
  • Support the Coalition for Sustainable & Affordable Flood Insurance (CSFI), a national coalition of approximately 250 organizations across 35 states, focused on advocating for a stronger policy framework for the NFIP including mitigation, mapping, affordability, and program participation
  • Encourage FEMA to provide open communication including public and professional input and education of Risk Rating 2.0
  • Advocate for long-term reauthorization of the flood program
• Costal Restoration
  • Support diversion projects and continued collaboration between Federal agencies and the State of Louisiana on key restoration projects
  • Encourage full funding protection for the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) to dedicate revenue to Louisiana coastal restoration and protection
  • Endorse the advancement of the RISEE Act and BREEZE Act, both of which serve to eliminate an arbitrary revenue sharing cap in GOMESA and establish an offshore wind revenue sharing model
• Infrastructure
  • Utilize available funding on projects intended to strengthen the aging infrastructure in Jefferson Parish
  • Advocate for the expansion of broadband service accessibility and affordability which will create jobs, lead to the development of new, innovative products and fuel economic growth
  • Support the development of a super-regional passenger railway to connect the Greater New Orleans area to Baton Rouge

Each year, Chamber members travel to Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. to promote and discuss the Chamber’s legislative agenda. During these visits, Chamber members meet directly with elected officials and key staff members to share their feedback and make recommendations for improvements in Jefferson Parish.

The Chamber’s Evening at the Legislature is held in the Spring during the legislative session. The day includes a legislative briefing and lunch with the legislative delegation and an opportunity to learn about the legislative process and receive information on the status of key legislation critical to Jefferson Parish and the business community.

Our Washington D.C. Fly-In, which takes place in the Fall, hosts business leaders and local elected officials in the nation’s capital for meetings with the Louisiana Congressional Delegation, key departmental staff and representatives of the U.S. Chamber to discuss and promote the Chamber’s federal legislative agenda.

The Jefferson Chamber encourages its members to contact their local legislator on issues affecting their community.

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