As the State Legislature enters a Special Session to address the $1 billion “fiscal cliff” and prepares for a Regular Session to follow, 1A is aligned to support business and industry.

One of the key statewide organizations we partner with is the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry (LABI), whose President & CEO Stephen Waguespack recently joined us for a legislative outlook. The outlook covered topics ranging from Medicaid and pension reform, to the possibility of a Constitutional Convention, to supporting early childhood through higher education.

Read more: Business has a prescription for Louisiana's budget flu (The Daily Advertiser)

One of the specific initiatives 1A is aligned with LABI on is strengthening transparency and accountability for government spending through a new “Louisiana Checkbook” website. Based on national best practice OhioCheckbook.com, the Louisiana Checkbook would provide an easy-to-use, frequently updated online platform with access to detailed information on how our state tax dollars are being spent.

“With the way technology is today, you are used to having everything on your phone,” Waguespack said. “This [Louisiana Checkbook] brings government accountability to your phone.”

Read more: Waguespack talks Louisiana Checkbook with One Acadiana (Abbeville Meridional)

Strengthening fiscal transparency is one of the principles and priorities discussed with 1A’s Governmental Affairs Committee and Board of Directors for engaging in the upcoming Special Session, which runs from Feb. 19 to March 7.

In addition to supporting the Louisiana Checkbook transparency initiative, 1A’s engagement in the Special Session will focus on:

· Sustaining services that are critically important to our regional economy and economic competitiveness (esp. healthcare and higher education)

· Encouraging commitments to specific cuts and spending reforms

· Steering away from proposals that acutely harm the competitiveness of our tax code

By advocating for priorities like these and working with business associations like LABI and other regional economic development organizations, 1A is aligned to support the interests of business and industry.

Take action: Support the Louisiana Checkbook