EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.
AND FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
HELLO AND WELCOME TO LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE.
I'M BETH COURTNEY, PRESIDENT OF LPB.
JOINING ME FOR OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT IS THE LEADER OF ONE OF
THE GROUPS SPONSORING THE EFFORT, ROBERT TRAVIS SCOTT.
WELCOME. GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK.
WHAT A GREAT EVENING. GREAT THINGS TO TALK ABOUT.
AS PRESIDENT OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF
LOUISIANA OR PAR AS WE'RE KNOWN, IT'S BEEN MY JOB OVER THE LAST
TEN YEARS TO HELP SHINE A LIGHT ON THE CRITICAL ISSUES FACING
OUR STATE AND OFFER SOLUTIONS. MOTIVATED BY SIGNIFICANT
STATE-WIDE ELECTION THIS OCTOBER, PAR PARTNERED WITH THE
COUNCIL FOR A BETTER LOUISIANA OR CABLE, AND THE COMMITTEE OF
100 TO CREATE AN AGENDA OF SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO RESET
THE STATE'S DIRECTION. ROBERT, WITH NUMEROUS ISSUES
TO FOCUS ON, RESET LOUISIANA HAS CHOSEN FOUR CATEGCATEGORIES,
EDUCATION, STATE FINANCES, TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE'VE GATHERED TOGETHER PANELISTS AND AUDIENCE MEMBERS
WITH DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
OVER THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL EXPLORE WHY THIS OCTOBER
ELECTION MAY BE A GOOD TIME FOR RESETTING LOUISIANA.
FIRST, AN OVERVIEW. LOUISIANA'S ELECTION IN
OCTOBER PRESENTS A TURNING POINT FOR THE STATE.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO BARRY IRWIN. THIS IS A CROSS ROADS
ELECTION FOR US IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.
BECAUSE WE HAVE A PERIOD OF BUDGET STABILITY WHERE WE CANNOT
FOCUS ON THAT SO MUCH BUT FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT WILL MOVE US
FORWARD. CABLE IS JOINED WITH THE
PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL OF LOUISIANA AND THE COMMITTEE
OF 100 TO CREATE THE RESET AGENDA.
INCLUDES LONG-TERM POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE AREAS OF
EDUCATION, STATE FINANCES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND CRIMINAL
JUSTICE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE VARIOUS
RANKINGS THAT WE HAVE THAT RANK US AS STATES AND ALL THE
DIFFERENT STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY, THESE ARE PARTS OF ALL
OF THOSE RANKINGS AND WE FEEL THESE ARE ONES WHERE WE CAN MAKE
A DIFFERENCE WHERE IF WE ENACT SOME CHANGE, WE CAN MOVE THE
NEEDLE AND MOVE THE STATE FORWARD AND THINGS THAT WE
BELIEVE PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO SEE HAPPEN OVERALL.
AMONG RESETS EARLY RECOMMENDATIONS IS ENSURING
CHILDREN AGE 3 AND UNDER ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO LEARN.
THIS IS POSSIBLE IF THE STATE FOLLOWS LA 4 PROGRAM MODEL.
WHEN WE STARTED 20 YEARS AGO, WE HAD NO FUNDING, NO KIDS WHO
WERE IN A PROGRAM LIKE THAT. TODAY, WE HAVE ALMOST UNIVERSAL
ACCESS. IF WE MAKE THIS A PRIORITY AND
BEGIN TO MAKE INVESTMENTS YEAR OVER YEAR OVER YEAR AS WE'VE
DONE IN OTHER AREAS, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES SHOULD BE PUT ON A PATH TOWARDS POST
SECONDARY EDUCATION THROUGH MORE PROGRAMS LIKE DUAL ENROLLMENT.
THAT'S KIND OF A MIND CHANGE IN K-12 EDUCATION.
THEIR GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN JUST TO GRADUATE.
WE WANT TO GRADUATE MORE KIDS. NOW WE'RE SAYING WE WANT THEM TO
GRADUATE READY TO GO TO COLLEGE WITH A CREDIT WHILE THEY ARE
ALREADY THERE. THE STATE BOARD OF REGENTS
SET A GOAL TO HAVE A DEGREE OR HIGH VALUE CREDENTIALS BY 2030.
CURRENTLY, ONLY 44% OF ADULTS DO.
WE THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A REALLY STATE-WIDE PLAN,
CONCERTED EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THE ADULTS OUT THERE HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO GO BACK INTO POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION, GET A CREDENTIAL, GET A DEGREE, WHATEVER IT IS THEY
NEED BUT GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE AS QUICKLY AS THEY
CAN. WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCES,
RESET SAYS THE STATE'S TAX STRUCTURE SHOULD BE EASIER, MORE
COMPETITIVE AND TRANSPARENT. LOUISIANA'S 8% CORPORATE TAX
RATE, FOR EXAMPLE, IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE 5 OR 6% RATE OF
OTHER STATES. BUT THAT'S NOT THE FULL STORY.
NOW OUR TAX BURDEN IS LOWER 2457B 8% BECAUSE -- THAN 8%
BECAUSE WE HAVE EXEMPTIONS THAT ALLOW BUSINESSES TO RATCHET DOWN
TO THAT. EVERY ONE OF THOSE IS A STEP
THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH. AND THE MESSAGE WE SEND IS THAT,
HEY, WE'RE NOT A FAVORABLE PLACE TO COME WHERE MORE QUIETLY, WE
ARE A FAVORITE PLACE TO COME. TAX COLLECTIONS COULD BE
SIMPLIFIED. MOST STATES HAVE ONE TAX
COLLECTOR. IN LOUISIANA, IT'S DIVIDED
BETWEEN THE STATE AND COLLECTORS IN ALL 64 PERISHES.
THEY FEEL LIKE IF THEY CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN THE STATE OR
SOME STATE ENTITY OF COLLECTING TAXES AND KEEPING THOSE CLOSER
TO HOME, THE TRUTH IS WHEN WE'RE GETTING INTO E-COMMERCE AND
AMAZON AND ALL THE ONLINE SERVICES, THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT
FOR THEM TO NAVIGATE A SYSTEM LIKE WE HAVE.
WHILE LOUISIANA HAS BEEN ACCUMULATING DEBT IN ORDER TO
PAY FOR STATE WORKERS PENSIONS, BY 2029, THIS SITUATION WILL
IMPROVE. RESET SUGGESTS A BLENDED OR
HYBRID PLAN FOR NEW STATE HIRES. PART A DEFINED BENEFIT SO
WE'RE LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY WHICH STATE EMPLOYEES DO NOT HAVE.
ALSO SOMETHING LIKE A 401K THAT'S PORTABLE SO IF YOU MOVE
AROUND FROM ONE JOB TO ANOTHER, YOU CAN TAKE THAT WITH YOU.
WHILE RESET DOESN'T TAKE A STANCE ON HOLDING ANOTHER
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION, IT DOES SUGGEST THE POSSIBLE
OUTCOMES IF THERE IS ONE. MOSTLY, IT'S A SIMPLIFIED,
SHORTENED, EASIER TO UNDERSTAND CONSTITUTION THAT GIVES CLARITY
TO THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING BUT ALSO GIVES FLEXIBILITY TO THE
LEGISLATURE AND OTHER POLICY MAKERS TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS
NEEDED WITHOUT EVERY TIME SOMETHING HAPPENS WE HAVE TO GO
TO THE VOTERS AND PASS ANOTHER CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
IN TERMS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, RESET RECOMMENDS CONTINUING TO
ROLL OUT THE REFORMS THAT PASSED IN 2017.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES LIKE THE OPIOID CRISIS COULD
ALSO BE ADDRESSED THROUGH A TASK FORCE SIMILAR TO THE ONE FOR
JUSTICE REINVESTMENT. WE THINK THE STATE CAN BE A
CONVENER OF A TASK FORCE LIKE THIS TO TRY AND WORK THROUGH
SOME OF THESE ISSUES IN COMMUNITIES.
BY IN LARGE, IT'S A COMMUNITY ISSUE MORE SO A STATE ONE.
THE STATE CAN PLAY A BIG ROLE IN TRYING TO BRING COMMUNITIES
TOGETHER. HELP WORK WITH THEM TO CREATE
FRAMEWORKS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
COMBATTING OPIOIDS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE, RESET PROPOSES ADJUSTING THE STATE GASOLINE TAX
WHICH HASN'T INCREASED IN 30 YEARS.
IN TERMS OF THE DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE AVAILABLE FROM
THE GASOLINE TAX GOING TO ROADS, THEY ARE DIMINISHED EVERY SINGLE
YEAR. PART OF THE REASON FOR THAT IS
BECAUSE OUR CARS BECOME MORE FUEL EFFICIENT.
THE STATE COULD RAISE REGISTRATION FEES FOR ELECTRIC
OR HYBRID VEHICLES AND CONSIDER THE USE OF TOLLS AND MORE
PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS. WITHOUT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE
SPENDING, LOUISIANA RISKS LEAVING FEDERAL DOLLARS ON THE
TABLE. ESPECIALLY IF A NATIONAL
TRANSPORTATION BILL PASSES. MORE THAN LIKELY, THE MATCH
245 WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET WILL BE LARGER BECAUSE THE
DOLLARS ON THE TABLE WILL BE LARGER.
IF THERE'S MORE MONEY OUT THERE FOR US TO GET BUT WE NEED TO
HAVE THE DOLLARS TO PUT UP, WE'RE NOT IN A POSITION TO
COMPETE WITH THAT. IRWIN KNOWS WHEN SIGNIFICANT
CHANGE HAPPENS FOLLOWING AN ELECTION, IT'S USUALLY WITHIN
THE FIRST TWO YEARS. HE HOPES THAT THE RESET AGENDA
WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE DURING THE SMALL WINDOW OF TIME.
THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER AN ELECTION, WE'VE DONE
BIG THINGS. WHAT WE'RE HOPING IS WHEN
CANDIDATES AND LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR COMES IN AND WANTS
TO DO SOMETHING BIG, THEY'LL LOOK AT THESE AS SOME OF THE BIG
THINGS THEY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH. HELPING US TO ACCOMPLISH BIG
THINGS TONIGHT IS OUR STUDIO AUDIENCE.
THE LOUISIANA BUDGET PROJECT, THE POLICE ASSOCIATION, THE
BATON ROUGE AREA CHAMBER AND EDUCATION ANALYST, MEMBER OF THE
RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEE'S ASSOCIATION AND CEO OF THE
AMERICAN COUNCIL LOUISIANA ENGINEERING COMPANIES.
WELCOME TO EVERYONE. EACH YEAR LSU'S PUBLIC POLICY
RESEARCH LAB CONDUCTS LOUISIANA SURVEY.
OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, RESIDENTS WERE QUESTIONED ABOUT
WHETHER SEVERAL ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE RESET AGENDA WHEN ASKED
THEIR TOP CONCERNS ABOUT THE STATE IN 2019, 34% NAMED
EDUCATION. 32% SAID TRANSPORTATION
INFRASTRUCTURE AND 25% SAID THE ECONOMY INCLUDING JOBS AND THE
BUSINESS CLIMATE. WHEN ASKED THEIR OPINION ON
INCREASING THE GASOLINE TAX BY 5 CENTS PER GALLON, 67% SAID THEY
SUPPORT SUCH A MOVE. BUT ONLY 49% SUPPORTED THIS
AMOUNT. WHEN ASKED THOUGHTS ON CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM MEASURES IN 2017, 70% OF RESPONDENTS APPROVED OF
THE CHANGES. 21% DISAPPROVED AND 9% WERE
UNSURE. AND IN THE 2018 SURVEY, WHEN
ASKED ABOUT A PROPOSAL TO REWRITE THE STATE'S
CONSTITUTION, 46% SUPPORTED THE IDEA WHILE 44% OPPOSED IT.
A NEW STATE-WIDE SURVEY CONDUCTED THIS MONTH SHOWS 81%
BELIEVE THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO
VOTE ON A REVISED CONSTITUTION. SO LET'S START WITH OUR OWN
PARTICIPANTS RIGHT HERE TONIGHT. AND FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHERE
DO YOU STAND ON THE RESET LOUISIANA RECOMMENDATIONS AND
WHAT DO YOU THINK A RESET MEANS TO YOU AND TO THE FOLKS IN YOUR
CONSTITU
CONSTITUENCY. LOGAN, INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF THE RESET.
MY NAME IS LOGAN ANDERSON. I HANDLE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
WHERE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPER.
TO ME, RESET MEANS COMMITMENT TO FORCING OURSELVES TO MAKE TOUGH
DECISIONS. A LOT OF THE ISSUES ON THE
AGENDA WE'VE KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR
YEARS. SOME OF US HAVE WORKED ON THESE
FOR YEARS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CRIMINAL
JUSTICE REFORM, WE'VE FAILED TO SUBSTANTIVELY ADDRESS THEM.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OURSELVES MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT
SOME OF THE ISSUES WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING.
WHY IS THIS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR A CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE? SURE.
FOR US, WE SEE BRINGING NEW BUSINESS AND HELPING EXISTING
BUSINESSES GROW AS FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR MISSION.
WHEN WE ARE RANKED DEAD LAST IN ALMOST EVERY SINGLE AREA, IT'S
TOUGH TO ATTRACT NEW PEOPLE. WE ALSO HAVE WITH US NEVA.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION AND WHERE YOU ALL ARE COMING
FROM ON THIS. MY NAME IS NEVA BUTKIS AT THE
LOUISIANA BUDGET PROJECT. LPB WORKS TO ASSESS STATE
POLICIES SPECIFICALLY THROUGH TAX AND BUDGET TO ASSESS HOW THE
STATE POLICY DECISIONS IMPACT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME
FAMILIES. IN TERMS OF RESET BEING
EDUCATION ANALYST, RESET TO ME MEANS THAT EVERY PERSON IN
LOUISIANA HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED REGARDLESS OF ZIP CODE,
RACE, GENDER, ET CETERA. AND I COMMEND RESET'S AGENDA FOR
FOCUS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD TO HIGHER ED.
SO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE THROUGH EDUCATION TO TRY TO
REACH PEOPLE IN EVERY ZIP CODE? I THINK EDUCATION CAN BE A
LARGE PART OF IT, YES. GREAT.
WE ALSO HAVE PEOPLE HERE REPRESENTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT
ARE TIED TO DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.
WE HAVE JOHN GALLAGHER WITH US TONIGHT WITH THE MUNICIPAL
ASSOCIATION. TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU'D BE
COMING FROM. SURE.
THANK YOU. I'M JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR OF THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION.
I DO COMMEND PAR CABLE AND THE COMMITTEE 100.
WHEN I THINK OF RESET, I THINK OF PUNCHING A BUTTON AND
STARTING OVER. WHEN I GET THAT MIND SET WHEN I
THINK ABOUT ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS LOCAL TAX COLLECTION.
ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PUSH FOR STATE CENTRAL COLLECTION OR HAVING A
LOCAL COLLECTION. AND THAT'S A HUGE ISSUE WITH OUR
MEMBERSHIP. WE FEEL THAT LOCALS DO A GREAT
JOB IN COLLECTING SALES TAXES AND LOCALS HAVE BEEN LEADERS AND
REALLY TRYING TO BRING REFORM BACK IN THE 90s WITH THE UTC.
THE COLLECTION PORTAL THAT COLLECTS A LOT OF THE E-COMMERCE
SALES TAXES THAT WE FEEL LIKE IS MAKING --
LST. FEEL LIKE OUT WHAT THAT MEANS.
WE FEEL IT'S WORKING ITS WAY THAT WOULD COMPLY.
THE REASON YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SALES TAX IS LOCAL
GOVERNMENTS ARE SO DEPENDENT ON THE SALES TAX.
THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES. ABSOLUTELY.
INFRASTRUCTURE IS A BIG PART OF THE WHOLE RESET PROGRAM.
I WANT TO ASK DOREEN. I'M DOREEN AND REPRESENT
CONSULTING ENGINEERS ACROSS THE STATE.
I THINK IT'S IRONIC WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RESET.
I REMEMBER WHEN VISION 2020 WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF POLICY MAKERS
AND WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE.
AND NOW WE FIND OURSELVES LOOKING BACK AND SEEING THE SAME
GOALS WE HAD THEN ARE ON OUR AGENDA TODAY.
AND FOREIGN GIN EARS, WE'RE AWARE OF THE CONDITION OF THE
ROADS AND THE BRIDGES. AND RANKED US 48 FOR THE WORST
ROADS AND BRIDGES. SO WE KNOW IF WE DON'T HAVE AN
ACTION PLAN FOR ADDRESSING THAT, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS
TRYING TO BUILD THIS ECONOMY. THE ECONOMY IS DEPENDENT UPON
BEING ABLE TO MOVE COMMERCE IN THE STATE WHETHER IT'S FOREIGN
PRODUCT SUPPORT, WHETHER IT'S FAMILIES TRYING TO GET TO WORK
TO JOBS. IF WE DON'T INVEST IN
OURSELVES, WE CAN'T EXPECT BUSINESSES TO INVEST AS WELL.
THE 80s WERE THE LAST TIME WE PASSED A REVENUE STREAM.
SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME TO RESET AND LOOK AT WHAT THAT
FUNDING STREAM IS GOING TO BE. IT NEEDS TO BE SIGNIFICANT AND
NEEDS TO BE SOON AND SUSTAINABLE.
OKAY. AND ONE OF THE MAJOR USERS OF
THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS TRUCKERS. AND SO WE HAVE CHANCE WITH THE
TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION. INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US
WHAT YOUR TAKE IS ON ALL THIS RESET.
SURE. THANK YOU.
MY CHANCE IS CHANCE McNEALY. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
TRANSPORT. WE'RE A HUGE USER OF THE STATE'S
HIGHWAY SYSTEM. FOR US, WHAT I HOPE RESET MEANS
IS MORE OF A RESET OF OUR POLITICAL THINKING.
IT'S PRETTY EVIDENCE TO OUR INDUSTRY THE FUEL TAX IS THE
TIME TESTED CORRECT WAY TO FUND INFRASTRUCTURE.
OUR DRIVERS, WE ARE PAYING THEM. THEIR CLOCK IS TICKING ON HOW
MANY HOURS THEY CAN DRIVE. AND SO THAT CREATES A LOT OF
PROBLEMS FOR US. WHEN WE HAVE PROBLEMS, IT
AFFECTS EVERY INDUSTRY. EVEN THE PEOPLE PAYING TAXES
ARE SEEING THE PROBLEM AND WILLING TO PAY MORE TO GET IT
FIXED, IS THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING?
ABSOLUTELY. OKAY.
WE ALSO HAVE WITH US TONIGHT JEFF.
AND I KNOW YOU ALSO HAVE A KEEN INTEREST?
INFRASTRUCTURE. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT
YOUR THOUGHTS ARE. I'M JEFF KOONTS BY TRADE.
I'M HERE PRIMARY IN MY CAPACITY IS HEAD OF LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
AT THE BATON ROUGE CHAMBER. AS CITIZENS IN BOTH THESE
CAPACITIES HAVE A LOT OF INTEREST IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND
RESET LOUISIANA IS REALLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE
CONVERSATION. AND MY HOPE IS WHEN A
LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS, THEY FOCUS ON THESE ISSUES AND NOT
ALL THE ISSUES THAT SEEM TO OCCUPY THEIR TIME.
THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT MATTER.
WE CAN REALLY PROGRESS OURSELVES FROM 2040.
WE'RE NOT LOOKING BACK WITH
REGRET. WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE
TIME. FRANK, ONE OF THE ISSUES WE KEEP
TALKING ABOUT IS THE STATE RETIREMENT PROGRAMS.
TELL US ABOUT WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOUR VIEW IS.
MY NAME IS FRANK. I'M THE LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR FOR
THE RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION.
AND MYSELF A RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEE.
WORKED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR 30 YEARS.
TAKE AWAY OR DIMINISH A BENEFIT THAT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE.
THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING. THE REALLY IMPORTANT THING TO
TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION IS OUR EMPLOYEES DO NOT HAVE SOCIAL
SECURITY. AND THAT'S THE SAFETY NET IN A
FOUNDATION FOR MOST RETIREMENT PLANS WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE.
THE NOTION IS DIFFERENT FOR A VERY VALID REASON.
WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE THINGS INTO ACCOUNT.
WE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT WE NEED TO REPRESENT A
CERTAIN CONSTITUENCY DIFFERENT THAN THE REST OF THE POPULATION
AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE THAT POSITION AND HAVE
A MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION. THEY'VE WORKED TOGETHER TO
FIND MIDDLE GROUND. I WANT TO FIND THAT BETTER
GROUND. I KNOW WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS MAYBE
NOT THE BEST THING FOR MOST PEOPLE.
IT'S THE BEST THING FOR OUR PEOPLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
UNTIL SOMETHING BETTER COMES ALONG, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE
ADVOCATING AND TAKING A POSITION WE DO.
I'M WILLING TO LISTEN. GOOD TALK.
ONE MORE IN. ALLEY, INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
HEY, I'M ALLEY RAWL WITH THE APPEAL CAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC
POLICY.
-- PELICAN FOR PUBLIC POLICY. AS WE TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE
AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT HOW THEY FEEL, WE WANT MORE JOBS AND
MORE OPPORTUNITY. SO WE ARE LASER FOCUSED RIGHT
NOW AT THE INSTITUTE ON JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY AGENDA WHICH
OUTLINES REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS SIMILAR TO WHAT RESET IS WORKING
ON. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY, THIS IS
THE TIME TO ELEVATE THE ISSUES AND COMMEND YOU GUYS FOR TALKING
ABOUT SOMETHING SO DIFFICULT. HOW MANY HAVE HAD FRIENDS
MOVE OUT OF STATE BECAUSE THEY WERE SEEKING BETTER
OPPORTUNITIES THERE? MOST FOLKS HERE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FACING IS TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THAT.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR THIS PORTION OF OUR SHOW.
WHEN WE RETURN, WE'LL BE JOINED BY THE PANEL OF EXPERTS TO
FURTHER DISCUSS RESET LOUISIANA.
WELCOME BACK TO LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE.
TONIGHT WE'RE DISCUSSING THE RESET LOUISIANA AGENDA.
JOINING US NOW IS OUR PANEL. MICHAEL OLIVIAE IS CEO OF THE
COMMITTEE OF 100 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
COMPRISED OF STATEWIDE PRIVATE SECTOR CEOs.
SERVED AS LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SECRETARY FROM 2004
TO 2018 AND HIS ORGANIZATION IS ONE OF THE PARTNERS OF THE RESET
INITIATIVES. CAMILLE IS THE SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT OF THE LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND
INDUSTRY OR LAW B. LEADS PUBLIC POLICY AND RESEARCH
INITIATIVES AND FOCUSING ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FROM EARLY
CHILDHOOD TO ADULT EDUCATION. DR. JAMES RICHARDSON IS THE
ALUMNI PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION. SERVED FOR 32 YEARS ON THE
LOUISIANA REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFOR INSTANCE.
SERVES ON THE BOARD OF PAR. ERIC PONTE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE LOUISIANA ASPHALT PAVE RIT ASSOCIATION.
ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOUISIANA COALITION TO FIX OUR
ROADS THAT ADVOCATES FOR IMPROVING ROADS AND BRIDGES.
SERVED TWO TERMS AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FROM 2008 TO
2015. BEFORE WE GO TO AUDIENCE
QUESTIONS, I'D FIRST LIKE TO ASK EACH OF YOU FROM YOUR OWN
PERSPECTIVE, WHAT DOES RESETTING LOUISIANA MEAN TO YOU AND WHY IS
NOW A GOOD TIME FOR US TO BE TALKING ABOUT THAT?
WE'LL START WITH YOU MICHAEL. WELL, THE THING ABOUT RESET
LOUISIANA IS THAT WE HAVE THE BUSINESS ROUND TABLE OF
LOUISIANA CALLED THE COMMITTEE 100 FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SINCE 1992, OUR ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH PUBLIC
POLICY ISSUES THAT EFFECT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY.
WE ARE THE BUSINESS ROUND TABLE OF THE STATE.
WE'RE NOT THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
WHAT WE ARE IS A GROUP OF OVER 100 CEOs WHO WANT TO MAKE
CHANGES IN THE STATE THAT WILL HELP US TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE.
THIS IS THE BEST TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE THREE GREAT ORGANIZATIONS
THAT HAVE LONG HISTORIES OF PUBLIC POLICY, GATHERING AND
PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH AND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS BRING
THESE FOUR AREAS TO THE FOREFRONT.
WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY SEATS BEING CONTESTED.
WE HAVE MORE SEATS AVAILABLE THAN EVER BEFORE.
IT'S THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE.
WE NEED TO MAKE DIFFERENCES IN THE FOUR AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN
OUTLINED FROM TRANSPORTATION TO EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
OUR MISSION HERE IS TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THIS COALITION
AND WORK WITH THE NEW PEOPLE COMING INTO OFFICE, WORK WITH
THE INCUMBENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THIS IS WHAT WE WANT.
WE HAVE TOO MANY GOOD THINGS. MICHAEL WHO WAS ONCE THE
SALES MAN FOR THE STATE OF LOUISIANA SO I KNOW YOU KNOW
WELL HOW THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT. CAMILLE, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT
WHERE LAW B IS COMING FROM. SURE.
I HAVE TO ECHO A LOT OF WHAT MIKE JUST SAID.
I THINK OF OPPORTUNITY. I THINK OF OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE
CHANGE. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY ONE OF
US TO MAKE ROOM TO IMPROVE. THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT AS MIKE
MENTIONED WITH THE TERM LIMITED LEGISLATURE MEANS WE HAVE A
CHANCE FOR 40 OR 50 NEW ELECTED OFFICIALS TO COME INTO OFFICE.
THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE NEW IDEAS AND NEW ENERGY.
IT'S A MOMENT TO SEIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY.
WE'RE EXCITED TO WORK WITH THOSE NEW PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE
STATE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE TO SEE HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE STATE
WE LOVE. THERE'S A BIG LEARNING CURVE.
THESE ARE THE ISSUES WE HOPE THEY ARE LEARNING ABOUT.
DR. RICHARDSON, WHAT'S RESET MEAN TO YOU?
WELL, IT MEANS MAKING POLICY WHICH WE DO EVERYDAY.
WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES. AS YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT
BEFORE, WE GOT ON STAGE. TALKED ABOUT THINGS LIKE
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ABOUT EDUCATION, ABOUT ROADS.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE A PRICE TAG.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE TO BE PAID FOR.
SHIFT OUR RESOURCES ARRANGED OR HAVE A NEW RESOURCE.
SO THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
IF WE DECIDE WE NEED TO SHIFT THE RESOURCES AROUND, WE CAN
SHIFT TAXES AROUND TOO. DO WE SET UP TAX SYSTEM THAT
ALLOWS US TO BE COMPETITIVE NATIONALLY?
ALSO IN TERMS OF MAKING IT GOOD FOR CITIZENS TO LIVE HERE.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE INTERTWINED.
THESE ARE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS WE WANT TO
MAKE IT. BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS
COMPLICATED. WZ WE WORK THROUGH THE SYSTEM
AND TALK ABOUT TO NEW LEGISLATURE, CAN'T GET A TYPE OF
A BANNER, RESET, DO THIS. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.
AND WHAT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT IS TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE
DETAILS RIGHT. WE EXPLAIN THEM TO PEOPLE AND
THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THOSE DETAILS.
I HOPE 24E6B AN APPETITE FOR THE DETAIL.
WE SHALL SEE. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE OF TAX REFORM
IS THE STABILITY. IT'S PART OF WHAT WE WANT TO SEE
TOO. ERIC, YOU ARE HERE WITH A VERY
SPECIAL PERSPECTIVE ON RESET. I AM HAVING SERVED IN THE
LEGISLATURE AND A BUSINESS OWNER IN THE STATE FOR MANY YEARS,
ECHOING THE SEDIMENTS THAT EVERYONE HAS SAID, IT'S AN
IMPORTANT TIME AND A CRITICAL TIME.
WITHOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.
LIFEBLOOD OF OUR STATE TRYING TO GET TO WORK.
OUR BUSINESSES CAN'T EXPAND. EMPLOYEES CAN'T GET TO WORK.
IF YOU ARE GRIDLOCKED. CAN'T GET PRODUCTS TO MARKET AND
IT COSTS ADDITIONAL MONEY, IT AFFECTS EVERYONE.
BEEN SINCE 1984. IT'S PAST TIME AND OVERTIME.
COMES AT A COST. BUT IT'S IMPORTANT AND IT'S
CRITICAL BECAUSE AS ITERATED HERE, WE HAVE A HIGH TURN OVER.
IT'S MORE IMPORTANT NOW WE HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH TURN OVER IN
THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND TIME WE VISIT THE ELECTED
OFFICIALS AND REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF MOVING OUR STATE
FORWARD. AND TIME WE MOVE OURSELVES
FORWARD JUST IN TRANSPORTATION. EVERY SOUTHERN STATE IMPROVED
AND IT'S TIME WE FIX OUR
LIFEBLOOD. WE'VE GONE AROUND THE STATE
AND WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE IN ALL THE AREAS TALKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR
BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE. FARMERS NOT BEING ABLE TO GET
THEIR PRODUCE TO MARKET AND SO ON.
IT'S NOT JUST THE SOUTH LOUISIANA ISSUE.
IT'S A STATEWIDE ISSUE. I WANT TO ASK JOHN TO JUMP IN
HERE. YOU HAD A QUESTION YOU WANTED TO
ASK. SURE.
THANK YOU. JOHN WIBLE.
PRESIDENT LOUISIANA RESEARCH CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT AND
LEARNING. WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE RESET
AGENDA BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF REASONS.
ONE, BECAUSE OF THE FOCUS IT PUTS ON EDUCATION.
AND I THINK ALL OF US HERE THIS EVENING KNOW WE HAVE TO FIX
EDUCATION TO BE ABLE TO FIX LOUISIANA.
WE KNOW PROSPEROUS STATES, PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES HAVE
QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION. ONE OF THE CORE ISSUES IS
ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATION
PROGRESS, LESS THAN 30% ARE READING ON GRADE LEVEL.
WE FEEL THAT'S A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE WE HAVE TO CORRECT TO HAVE
A SKILLED LABOR ALL OF THE WORKFORCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO INVEST IN THAT KNOWING THAT 50%
OF OUR CHILDREN ARE COMING FROM IMPOVERISHED HOMES?
YOU PUT IT INTO SUCCINCTLY WHAT IT IS.
IT'S A WORKFORCE ISSUE. THAT'S IT.
WE'VE GOT TO START THEM YOUNG. AND WE PROVED THE PROGRAM THAT
STARTS TRAINING 4 YEAR OLDS AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO
EARLY PRE-K TRAINING WE NEED TO DO IT AT THE 3 YEAR OLD LEVEL.
WE NEED TO DO IT FROM BIRTH TO 3.
AND START FUNDING THESE THINGS. AND THEY ARE LEARNING.
IT'S A POVERTY THING. ALL OF IT IS INTER IN--
INTERTWINED. WHAT YOU SAID, EARLY
CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL TO THAT.
EARLY INTERVENTION AND LITERACY IS CRITICAL.
THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS LOOKING AT INNOVATIVE WAYS TO
HELP DRIVE THAT. WE'RE ALL CONCERNED.
AND YOU'VE SEEN THE STATE BOARD TAKE STEPS TO TRY TO ADDRESS
THAT. YOU ARE SEEING THEM RAISE THE
BAR ON WHAT PROFICIENT IS ON READING WHICH CAN BE A CHALLENGE
FOR SCHOOLS AND KIDS AND PARENTS.
IF KIDS CAN'T READ, THEY CAN'T DO MATH.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SUCCEED IN THIRD GRADE OR 8TH GRADE.
I THINK THE INTENTION IS RIGHT. I THINK EVERYONE AGREES ON THE
PROBLEM AND I THINK WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO FIND SOLUTIONS.
LET ME GO TO ROGER WHO HAS A QUESTION.
AND STAY ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT.
I THINK THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU.
TELL US WHAT YOU ARE WITH AND GIVE US YOUR QUESTION.
I'M WITH THE LOUISIANA UNIFORM LOCAL SALES TAX BOARD.
FAIRLY NEW CREATION OF LEGISLATURE WITH OUR MISSION
BEING TO PROMOTE UNIFORM IN LOCAL SALES TAX.
SALES TAX HAS BEEN MY AREA FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO FACE IS LOCAL AND STATE
COLLECTORS IS THE COMPLEXITY OF LOUISIANA SALES TAX LAW.
THEY ARE OVER 200 EXEMPTIONS ON THE BOOKS.
THOSE EXPECT BOTH IN STATE AND OUT OF STATE RETAILERS.
THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE.
MY QUESTION IS WOULD RESET BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, IN
GENERAL, SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE EXEMPTIONS TO
BE REEXAMINED PERIODICALLY, TWO, THREE, FOUR YEARS.
ONE, TO DETERMINE HAVE THEY PERFORMED WHAT THEIR ULTIMATE
PURPOSE WAS? I THINK WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS
100 OF THOSE EXEMPTIONS. IT'S MIND-BOGGLING TO THINK
THERE ARE 200 EXEMPTIONS BUT 100 OF THOSE ARE TEMPORARILY ASIDE.
LET'S LET MS. CONNOWAY TRY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
AND DR. RICHARDSON MAY HAVE IDEAS.
I THINK THE ANSWER IS YES, ABSOLUTELY.
SIMPLE TAX SYSTEM IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.
DETAILED EXAMINATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES.
AND I WOULD DISTINGUISH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EXEMPTP
GOES AND GENERALLY ACCEPTED WHAT IS GOOD OR BAD TAX POLICY.
AN EXEMPTP GOES IN THE STATUTE AND 40 OTHER STATES DON'T EVER
TAX THAT TO BEGIN WITH. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CERTAIN TYPE OF EXEMPTIONS. AND BEING MAYBE THESE ARE
TAXABLE ITEMS. SOME ARE COMPETITIVE.
HOW ABOUT YOU, DR. RICHARDSON?
WE HAVE THE STATE HAS EXEMPTIONS OF ITS OWN AS WELL.
AND THAT COMPLICATES THE WORLD A GREAT DEAL.
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A CENTRALIZED SALES TAX.
THAT MEANS EXEMPTIONS FOR THE STATE AND LOCALS ARE THE SAME.
THE SAME TAX BASE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE WOULD LIKE.
TO GET THERE, IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF WORK.
AND NOT GOING TO BE DONE OVERNIGHT.
THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX YEARS TO DO IT WELL.
WE AFFECT PEOPLE AND DON'T KNOW WE'RE AFFECTING.
SOME MAY BE BETTER OFF. SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAY GET
EXTRA MONEY. SOME MAY LOSE AND WE DON'T
REALLY KNOW WHO THEY ARE RIGHT NOW, TO BE HONEST.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CROSS BETWEEN THE STATE AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT. THAT'S WHY I WANT TO CALL ON GUY
RIGHT NOW TO JUMP INTO THIS PART OF THE CONVERSATION.
TELL EVERYBODY WHO YOU ARE AND HIT US WITH A QUESTION.
GUY CORMIER. I WAS A PAST PRESIDENT.
I WORE THAT ELECTED HAT FOR A LITTLE BIT.
AND LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THREE COMMITTEE OF 100 THE PAR
AND CABLE FOR GETTING TOGETHER AND LOOK AT THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS AND LOOK AT TREMENDOUSLY TALENTED PEOPLE
SERVING AND WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR LOUISIANA JUST LIKE MY FOLKS
THAT SERVE. WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THE
CITIZENS OF LOUISIANA. BUT THIS CENTRAL SALES TAX
COLLECTION ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN
WHERE THERE'S REALLY NO -- JUST LIKE THIS, THIS COMMITTEE
REPORT, THERE'S REALLY BEEN NO LOCAL INPUT FROM THE TAX
COLLECTORS AND FROM THE SCHOOL BOARDS.
THERE'S BEEN NO PARTICIPATION IN GETTING WHAT WE NEED.
WE HAVE A REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE THAT'S SET.
WE NEED TO HAVE A TAX EXEMPTP GOES REVENUE THAT OFTEN MAYBE
MEETS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO REVIEW THESE THINGS.
WE NEED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT ALL THE EXEMPTIONS.
GO AHEAD, DR. RICHARDSON. WE DO LOOK AT THE INVESTMENT
EXPENDITURE IN TERMS OF THE CREDITS WE GIVE.
BUT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE -- ONCE THEY ARE IN STATUTE, THEY ARE
LAW. SO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE
CREDIT IF YOU WANT TO OR IF THAT FITS YOUR PARTICULAR FINANCIAL
SITUATION. I THINK IN THE ELEMENT, I AGREE
ON THE EXEMPTIONS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF STEADY
COMMITTEES AND ALMOST EVERY ONE YOU HAVE WILL TELL YOU GET THE
EXEMPTIONS OUT OF THE WAY AND GET THE RATE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.
ALMOST EVERY ECONOMIST WILL TELL YOU THAT.
DOESN'T MATTER. THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD DO.
AND WE TRY TO DO THAT. AGAIN, THE EXEMPTIONS, SOMEBODY
LIKES THEM. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE
THE FACT WE HAVE THE THIRD HIGHEST STATE AND LOCAL SALES
TAX. WE'RE REALLY TIED FOR FIRST TO
BE HONEST. LET'S BRING A BUSINESS
PERSPECTIVE IN. I'M WAYNE BROWN.
I'M A BUILDER DEVELOPER. WE'RE ALMOST A 50-YEAR OLD
COMPANY. WE WORK STATEWIDE.
SO ALL THESE REFORMS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO US.
I ALSO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE OF 100.
WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THIS.
WE APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT AND LPB PUTTING ON THIS PROGRAM
FOR INFORMATION. I'M ENCOURAGED BY ALL THE
SUPPORT I'M HEARING FROM THE GROUP ON THESE REFORMS THAT
WE'RE ALL WORKING WITH PAR AND CABLE ON.
ALSO SERVE AS BOARD MEMBER FOR THE LSU BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
HIGHER EDUCATION HADN'T BEEN MENTIONED BUT I'D LIKE TO BRING
THAT UP. I'M VERY HOPEFUL WE COULD
RESTORE OUR FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION WHERE WE WERE IN THE
MIDDLE OF SEC WITH OUR STATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIGHER
EDUCATION. I THINK ALONG WITH MISSISSIPPI.
WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT. AND THERE ARE SUCH NEEDS IN OUR
STATE. WE'RE DOING A LOT WITH WHAT WE
HAVE. LET'S BRING THE ACC, ATLANTA
KOEFLT CONFERENCE INTO THAT. WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THE
LEGISLATURE WHERE THEY CAN WORK IN A BIPARTISAN WAY TO FUND OUR
HIGHER EDUCATION AND TAKE CARE OF OUR BUILDINGS?
WE HAVE HUGE AMOUNTS OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THAT'S RIGHT.
I THINK AS YOU'VE SEEN THE FISCAL OUTLOOK IMPROVE, THERE
HAS BEEN BYPARTISAN SUPPORT TO FUND HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE
NEEDS WE HAVE. I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 245.
WHAT YOU SEE MORE OFTEN IS LOOKING FOR BETTER OUTCOMES AT
THE SAME TIME. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR HIGHER
GRADUATION RATES WHERE THEY CAN GO TO A JOB RIGHT AWAY.
WHAT I'M ENCOURAGED ABOUT IS TO SEE THE BOARD AND OTHERS REALLY
TAKE THE LEAD. OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
TRYING VERY INNOVATIVE THINGS PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT TO TRY
TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF WORK BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM, GET A SKILL,
GET A CREDENTIAL, GET A DEGREE THAT'S GOING TO PUT THOSE FOLKS
TO WORK. WE HAVE A LOT TO BE OPTIMISTIC
ABOUT. THE BOARD OF REGENTS JUST
RELEASED LONG-TERM STRATEGY. IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMIC
BASE. HERE WE HAVE A RATING AGENCY
THAT RATES OUR BONDS THAT'S LOOKING AT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM
AND SAYING THAT'S AWESOME, KEEP IT UP.
60% IS A BIG NUMBER. IF YOU CAN ACHIEVE THAT, IT'S
GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I READ THAT REPORT AND IT HAD
A FEW THINGS TO SAY. ISN'T TOO HAPPY ABOUT THAT.
ERIC, TELL US WHERE WE ARE ON THE OUTLOOK AT THAT.
WE HAD A PARTICULAR APPROACH TRYING TO GENERATE MORE ACTIVITY
FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT.
WELL, AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IT WAS 1984 WHEN IT WAS
PASSED FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES. AND IT WAS BASICALLY BY THE SIX
SENSE. WE HAVE 39,000 LANE MILES IN OUR
STATE. WE'RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN IT WITH
6 CENTS. WE FORMED THE LOUISIANA
COALITION TO FIX OUR ROADS. BASICALLY, AT THIS POINT, ABOUT
100 BUSINESSES HAVE BANNED TOGETHER.
WE'RE 48TH IN THE COUNTRY. THIS YEAR ALONE, 37 BRIDGES ARE
CLOSED. BRIDGES CLOSED FROM LAST YEAR
AND THE YEAR BEFORE. NOT JUST BRIDGES CLOSED.
A LOT OF BRIDGES REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT YOU COULD PUT
ON THEM. FOR SOME BUSINESSES, THOSE
BRIDGES ARE CLOSED. ABSOLUTELY YOU ARE RIGHT.
THE ROAD CAPACITY HAS BEEN DECREASED.
OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, THESE SCHOOL BUSES
HAVE TO GO AN HOUR OUT OF THEIR WAY AND COMING BACK.
DO YOU WANT YOUR CHILD ON THAT SCHOOL BUS?
WE HAVE HAD BRIDGES FAILED THIS YEAR.
THE COALITION GET TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH IDEAS AND
SOLUTIONS. HOW DIRE AND HOW BAD OUR ROADS
AND CONDITIONS. WE'RE DOING A STATEWIDE EFFORT.
I'LL LET DOREEN OR CHANCE JUMP IN HERE ON THIS ISSUE.
I DROVE TO TEXAS RECENTLY AND, MY GOSH, TOLLS EVERYWHERE.
AND THEY ARE NOT JUST PAYING FOR THE ROAD YOU ARE ON.
JUST GETTING REVENUE FROM YOU FOR THAT WHOLE REGION.
I WAS IN ORLANDO RECENTLY AND ALMOST EVERY MAJOR ROAD HAS A
TOLL ON IT. WHY NOT TOLLS IN LOUISIANA?
HOW WOULD THAT WORK? I WONDER IF CHANCE AND DOREEN
MAY HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT. I'D BE HAPPY TO GO FIRST.
WITH RESPECT TO TOLLING, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TRAFFIC VOLUME TO
GENERATE SUFFICIENT DOLLARS TO BUILD STRUCTURES IN LOUISIANA
EXCEPT FOR A COUPLE LOCATIONS, PERHAPS A NEW I-10 BRIDGE IN
LAKE CHARLES. WE'RE LIMITED AS FAR AS WHERE
TOLLING COULD HELP FINANCE A
STRUCTURE. FROM A TRUCKING PERSPECTIVE, WE
OPPOSE TOLLS. EVEN AMONG THE ADVOCATES,
THERE'S DISAGREEMENT OVER THAT. FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, TOLLING IS
NOT THE MOST CONSERVATIVE APPROACH.
YOU HAVE TO PAY BACK A PRIVATE INVESTOR.
SEEMS TO BE SPREADING IN A LOT OF OTHER STATES.
I THINK WHERE LOUISIANA IS LOOKING NOW ARE ALTERNATIVE
METHODS FOR FUNDING. LOOKING AT PUBLIC PRIVATE
PARTNERSHIPS WHICH RELY ON TOLLS.
LOOKING AT USAGE FEE. GOT TO BE A SOURCE OF FUNDING
THAT'S SUSTAINABLE. THERE'S BEEN GREAT EFFORT TO PUT
SOME SURPLUS DOLLARS TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
BUT THAT'S JUST NIBBLING AROUND THE EDGES.
NOT GOING TO BUILD A BRIDGE ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI.
NOT GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THE TUNNEL.
AND I THINK THE STATE AND DOTD IS TRYING TO GET CREATIVE AND
STILL GOING TO REQUIRE SOME REVENUE SOURCE.
WE DON'T WANT TO DO WHAT WE'VE DONE.
$12 BILLION BACKLOG ON CURRENT PROJECTS AND $15 BILLION WE NEED
FOR NEW PROJECTS. WE DON'T WANT TO BUILD THINGS WE
CAN'T TAKE CARE OF. WHAT WE HAVE IS OLD AND AGING
AND NEEDS WORK. PLUS, THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF WE
DON'T HAVE 245 WE NEED TO HAVE. ERIC, YOU WANT TO CLOSEOUT?
TO THOSE POINTS, WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE WE'VE HAD A SURPLUS.
LOUISIANA, WE FAILED TO MAKE
MATCH. WE LOSE $700 MILLION FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. NEXT YEAR WITH THE DOLLARS THAT
ARE GENERATED, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RELY ON THE PLAN.
$780 MILLION AND WE WERE FORTUNATE THIS PAST YEAR THAT WE
WERE ACTUALLY ABLE TO GET OTHER STATE'S DOLLARS.
BUT IT'S A BAND-AID APPROACH. $26 BILLION PROBLEM.
THE P3s, ALL THOSE ARE GREAT. BUT TIME TO RESET AND LOOK AT
THIS. IT'S BEEN 35 YEARS AND TIME WE
DO SOMETHING. IT'S THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO
GET -- GETS US BACK TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE.
IT GETS US BACK AND PULLS US OFF OF 48.
SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED A RESET. HOW ABOUT MR. ROBERT BURNS UP
HERE. YOU'VE BEEN AN OBSERVER OF THE
POLITICAL SCENE FOR A GOOD LONG WHILE.
TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND GIVE THE PANEL A QUESTION.
I HAVE BEEN. I'M ROBERT BURNS.
I'M A VIDEO BLOGGER FROM THE VIDEO BLOG SOUND OFF LOUISIANA.
WELCOME ANYBODY TO GO VISIT IT. LOUISIANA RANKS NEAR THE TOP OF
LICENSING FOR LOW WAGE OCCUPATIONS.
ONLY STATE TO LICENSE FLORISTS. ONE OF THREE STATES TO LICENSE
INTERIOR DESIGNERS. THE INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE WHICH
IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION IN VIRGINIA WHICH REGULARLY SUES
STATE BODIES OVER INFRINGEMENTS OVER THE RIGHTS TO MAKE A LIVING
HAVE SUED THE BOARDS OR COMMISSIONS TO OVERSEE THE
LICENSING. AND MOST RECENTLY SUED THE
COSMETOLOGY BOARD WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE 500 HOURS AND
THERE'S NO SCHOOL THAT EVEN OFFERS THE PROGRAM EXCEPT FOR
ONE IN MONROE. SO I'D LIKE TO ASK THE PANEL HOW
MUCH FOCUS DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN THE UP COMING
FUTURE SESSION, FUTURE GOVERNOR TOWARD ROLLING BACK MANY OF
THESE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS THAT IN REALITY DON'T PROTECT
THE PUBLIC BUT SERVE AS BARRIERS TO ENTRY.
THEY SUPPRESS UPWARD MOBILITY AND IN MANY INSTANCES, THEY
CONSTITUTE TRADE UNIONS AND A RIGHT TO WORK STATE.
AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. AND WHY DON'T WE LET ALLEY
ANSWER THIS. THEY HAVE QUITE A FEW VIEWS ON
THIS. AND I THINK HE CITED IT.
THE ARCH BRIDGE INSTITUTE DID A STUDY IN TERMS OF LOW WAGE
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE HOW IT AFFECTS UPWARDS MOBILITY.
WHEN YOU ARE IN A STATE THAT HAS POVERTY RATES, SOME OF THE WORST
IN THE NATION, YOU WOULD THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME CORRELATION
THERE. WE'RE AN OUTLIAR.
OF ALL THE THINGS YOU SEE IN THE LEGISLATURE, YOU WOULD THINK
YOU'D BE ABLE TO REMOVE SOMETHING LIKE OCCUPATIONAL
LICENSE FOR HAIR BRAIDING. WE HAVE SUPPORTED THAT
LEGISLATION MULTIPLE YEARS IN A ROW AND IT HAS FAILED.
ARBITRARY OBSTACLES TO EMPLOYMENT IS SOMETHING THE NEXT
LEGISLATURE MUST ADDRESS. THERE'S NO GOOD REASON FOR THAT.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS WHERE WE'VE WORKED ON THIS IS IN
REENTRY. WHEN FORMER OFFENDERS ARE
RE-ENTERING SOCIETY AND WE HAVE LICENSING BARRIERS ALL OVER THE
PLACE, WE'RE SHOOTING OURSELVES IN THE FOOT.
VERY SIMPLE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE SIMPLE THAT WHEN WE DO THIS
RESET NEED TO BE PART OF THAT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
CHALLENGING FACING PEOPLE ESPECIALLY ON LOW INCOME LEVEL.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
JAMIE, WHY DON'T YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR
ORGANIZATION. JAMIE CARSON.
IN LOUISIANA, THERE ARE WIDE DISPARITIES BETWEEN BLACK AND
WIDE HOUSEHOLDS. MUCH IN THE SEGREGATION THAT
CREATES OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.
I'M WONGEDERING WHAT CAN THE RESET AGENDA DO TO ADDRESS THIS
ISSUE? MIKE, DO YOU WANT TO TAKE ON
THAT QUESTION? THAT'S A BIG ONE.
BECAUSE OF THE LEVELS OF POVERTY, IT COMES RIGHT BACK.
POVERTY, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE, ALL OF IT.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS LEADING US TO HAVE A BETTER
OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO COMPETE.
THAT'S WHAT IT IS. WE HAVE TO KEEP DOING WHAT YOU
ARE SAYING AND THAT IS MAKING PEOPLE AWARE.
GIVING PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE.
OFFERING TO THE LEGISLATURE SOLUTIONS.
DON'T JUST TELL THEM GO DO IT. BUT SOLUTIONS AND SUPPORT.
THAT'S THE BIG THING WHEN WE DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO LAUNCH
INTO THIS THING. FIRST, WE'RE NOT PARTISAN.
WE WANT TO SEE GOOD THINGS DONE IN LOUISIANA AND WE WANT TO TELL
THE LEGISLATORS WE'RE GOING TO BE YOUR SUPPORTER.
WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU COVER. WE WANT YOU TO INTRODUCE BOTH
THE BILLS, CALL OUT THE BILLS. DO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT NEED
TO BE DONE TO MAKE THE CHANGES. THAT'S THE BIGGEST THING WE CAN
DO IS TELL PEOPLE WHAT WE NEED, WHAT WE WANT TO SEE DONE AND
HELP THEM OR GIVE THEM THE SOLUTIONS.
AND YOU'VE GIVEN A LOT OF THOUGHT AND STUDY TO INCOME
DISSPART. CAN YOU REFLECT ON THAT?
FIRST; IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
IT MAY TAKE 20 YEARS. AND EVERYTHING WE'RE TALKING
ABOUT TONIGHT, THE ROADS AND
INFRASTRUCTURE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LONG-TERM GOALS,
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES. WE BETTER BE PATIENT.
IF WE THINK THAT THIS LEGISLATURE ITS FIRST TERM IN
OFFICE IS GOING TO SOLVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS, WE'RE KIDDING
OURSELVES. I THINK THE FIRST THING WE HAVE
TO BE CAREFUL, IF WE DON'T STARTED TO, WE'LL NEVER GET
THERE. NOTHING HAPPENS WHILE WE
WAIT. THAT'S RIGHT.
WE'VE GOT TO START. SOME OF THE THINGS MIKE'S
TALKING ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL SIDE, THAT'S CRITICAL.
THEN SOME OF THE 24I7KS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE, THE CRAZY
RULES WE HAVE, WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT PRETTY FAST.
WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE CRAZY RULES QUICKLY.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL.
WORKING WITH THE FLORIST OR THE BRAIDERS, THAT'S NOT GOING TO
LOOK LIKE A HIGH-PROFILE ISSUE. JUST BARELY SNEAKING THROUGH AND
EASY TO DEFEAT. FOCUSING ON OPPORTUNITIES, A
LOT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE AND MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE
THE OPPORTUNITIES. FOCUSING ON ANY INSTITUTIONS
THAT HAVE BARRIERS, THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.
INSTITUTIONS IN ALL THEIR FORMS AND DIG IN AND BE AWARE OF.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
JOHN GALLAGHER TALK A LITTLE BIT.
WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE STATE VIEW.
WHEN I TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE, THERE ARE CITIES THAT ARE REALLY
DOING PRETTY WELL. AND THERE ARE SOME OTHER TOWNS
REALLY STRUGGLING. I WONDER IF THAT'S THE FUTURE.
FOR THESE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE LOCAL AREAS AROUND THE
STATE. WONDER IF YOU CAN REFLECT ON
THAT. WE HAVE SOME DOING VERY WELL.
WE HAVE SOME THAT/OWE SOMETIMES I SEE IT AS NO FAULT OF THEIR
OWN. SOME BACK INTO THE 70s AND 80s
THAT WERE JUST BLOWING AND GOING.
AND WHEN I-49 CAME ALONG, IT WAS REROUTED AWAY AND TOOK THE
LIFEBLOOD OUT OF THOSE WHEN THE INDUSTRY WENT DOWN AND MILL
STARTED CLOSING. SPRING HILL IS AN EXAMPLE.
AND A LOT IS THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
I HEAR THE LEGISLATURE. SMALL TOWNS NEED TO GO AWAY.
I FIND HARD TO SWALLOW. WE'RE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT WHERE
WE'RE TEAMING WITH A POD CAST COMPANY.
GOING TO START FEATURING THE SMALL TOWNS.
WHAT'S THE KEY TO SUCCESS FOR THESE SMALL TOWNS?
I HEAR YOU ARE TAKING AWAY FROM THEM.
YOU ARE SEEING A LOT OF THE FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AND
WORKING WITH THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE AND
WE'RE WORKING WITH A LOT OF THESE SMALLER COMMUNITIES,
SMALLER WATER SYSTEMS ABOUT CONSOLIDATING AND HELPING THEM
WORK THROUGH THE USDA. IS THE STATE DOING ENOUGH?
I THINK THE STATE -- I DON'T THINK WE CAN JUST SAY HEY STATE.
I THINK THE LOCALS NEED TO AND WE NEED TO AS A GROUP LOOK AND
CONSIDER IF YOU NEED TO RAISE YOUR WATER RATES, I KNOW USDA
GETTING THE GRANTS IN ORDER TO APPLY, YOU HAVE TO RAISE YOUR
WATER RATES AND LOOK AT CONSOLIDATION.
AND WE'RE WORKING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ON PROGRAMS TO TRY
TO GET -- THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE NEW YORK TIMES YESTERDAY
ABOUT RURAL COMMUNITIES. YOU SEE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHALLENGE IN RURAL AREAS. FROM MY INDUSTRY, WE'RE
TRYING TO FIND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.
I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT FINANCING AND WHAT SYSTEMS CAN
DO. CUTTING EDGE THAN AN INVESTMENT
EARLY ON CAN REAP BENEFITS LONG-TERM SO YOU ARE NOT HAVING
SO MUCH MAINTENANCE. WE HAVE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF
TIME. ONE SENTENCE TO CLOSEOUT WHAT IS
THE ONE THING YOU WANT EVERYBODY TO TAKE AWAY FROM TONIGHT.
MICHAEL, GO. THEY GOT TO ASK THEIR ELECTED
OFFICIALS WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THESE FOUR ISSUES AND WHAT CAN
YOU DO? WHAT SMALL TOWNS AND LARGE
TOWNS NEED ARE JOBS. THAT'S LOOKING FOR KIDS HERE
WHERE THEY CAN FIND A JOB. DR. RICHARDSON.
EVERY PROBLEM WE HAVE IS NOT SOMETHING CREATED IN THE LAST
YEAR OR TWO YEARS. IT'S BEEN CREATED OVER 20 YEARS,
30 YEARS OR 40 YEARS. IT'S GOING TO TAKE THAT LONG TO
SOLVE THEM. WE NEED TO BE INNOVATIVE, ON THE
GO, START RIGHT NOW AND NEED TO BE PATIENT.
CAN HE CAN'T KEEP BLAMING ALONG.
I DIDN'T GO BACK THAT FAR. AGAIN, THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN
AROUND FOREVER. WE STARTED THE CONVERSATION.
WE NEED TO KEEP THE CONVERSATION IN FRONT OF OUR LECTED
OFFICIALS. OKAY.
WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME FOR OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER SEGMENT.
WE'D LIKE TO THANK OUR PANELISTS, MR. OLIVIAE, MS.
CONNOWAY. WHEN WE COME BACK, A FEW CLOSING
COMMENTS.
A WONDERFUL CONVERSATION. I THINK WE ALL NEED PATIENCE.
SOMETHING I'M SHORT OF MOST OF THE TIME.
WE HAVE A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION.
NO FIGHTS BROKE OUT. IT WAS PRETTY GOOD DEAL.
ABSOLUTELY. I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY AND I
KNOW EVERYONE IN THIS AUDIENCE KNOWS THAT.
EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON THE 28TH RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.
SO I HOPE THAT EVERYONE PARTICIPATES IN A DEMOCRACY.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED. PLEASE GET OUT AND VOTE.
ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR
THIS EPISODE. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT OUR
WEB SITE AT LPB.ORG/PUBLICSQUARE.
YOU'LL FIND A LINK THERE TO THE RESET PROPOSALS.
AND VOTING INFORMATION. IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON
TONIGHT'S SHOW, CLICK THE JOIN THE CONVERSATION TAB.
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. ACCORDING TO A STUDY RELEASED
LAST YEAR, LOUISIANA RANKS AMONGST THE TOP THREE STATES
MOST VULNERABLE IN A TRADE WAR WITH CHINA.
JOIN LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE NEXT MONTH AS IT TRAVELS TO
ALEXANDRIA LOUISIANA ON TARIFF TENSIONS OCTOBER 23RD.
THANKS FOR WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.
GOOD NIGHT, EVERYONE.
FOR A COPY OF THIS PROGRAM CALL 800-973-7246 OR GO ONLINE
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