As early as next Monday, May 5, the Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs Committee may hear SB 290 by Sen. Bob Kostelka. - (5/01/08)
The purpose of SB 290 is to provide fairness to taxpayers in the payment of private counsel attorney fees.

Regular Session Update No. 7 - Health Care Mandates Advance - (5/02/08)
Legislation to mandate what employer-provided health insurance coverage must contain continues to come out of the House Insurance Committee and onto the House floor. The latest mandated coverage has to do with the treatment of autism.

Contact your Legislator to support HB 747 by Rep. Joel Robideaux - (4/24/08)
The purpose of HB 747 by Rep. Joel Robideaux is to require local contract sales tax auditors to follow existing law. Current law provides that private contract auditors may be hired to audit for local sales taxes and be paid only on a per hour basis. However, these private contract auditors are in fact working on a contingency fee basis - meaning, they only get paid if they can find additional taxes.

Regular Session Update No. 5 - LABI's Major Initiative for 2008 Advances to Floors - (4/18/08)
The House and Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committees have favorably reported bills seeking to restructure the way Louisiana's workforce development service delivery system operates.

NEW HEALTH INSURANCE MANDATES WILL DRIVE PREMIUMS HIGHER-ACTION ALERT - (4/11/08)
One of the reasons your health insurance premiums keep going up is because our state Legislature continues to mandate that more and more coverages and procedures MUST be included in all policies. Louisiana now has 24 such mandates on the books. A total of eight new ones (in 11 bills) have been introduced so far in this session. Each will add more cost to you and your employees at a time when you are struggling to keep your coverages intact at an affordable rate.

Regular Session Update No. 1 - (4/04/08)
In February, shortly following Gov. Jindal's inauguration, a Special Session was called to address Louisiana's ethics laws. The administration proposed a package (with LABI supporting the major elements) that enjoyed widespread appeal and resulted in changes to disclosure, spending, and contracting for officials and lobbyists.

2008 LABI Legislative Issues Conference Presentation - (2/22/08)
LABI, in concert with several local chambers, is presentating our legislative issues conferences. To view and print the presentation click on the above headline.

Solutions for Businesses - (2/12/08)
LABI, Associated Benefits Consulting and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana have developed multiple health programs for members of LABI. Another powerful LABI membership advantage.

Compensation Data: Salary & Benefits Information for Louisiana Employers - (2/11/08)
The Louisiana Association of Business & Industry understands the challenges businesses face when attracting and retaining key employees. That's why for the last seven years we've partnered with Compdata Surveys to offer Compensation Data. With information on pay practices, benefits and salaries for nearly 650 job titles, Compensation Data can help you design a competitive compensation package.

Gain access to the survey results for only $349 when you participate in the 2008 survey. Take an additional $20 off your order just for being a member of the Louisiana Association of Business & Industry. Mention promo code LABI to receive your full discount. But, hurry! The survey questionnaire is available mid-February. To learn more, contact Compdata Surveys at (800) 300-9570 or visit them online at www.compdatasurveys.com .

Advocate Opinion - (1/16/08)
LABI recently received some recognition for our agenda and Annual Meeting presentation. An opinion piece from The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge can be reached by clicking on the above bold headline.

LABI Elects Officers and Board for 2008 - (1/08/08)
LABI held its election of officers January 8 during its 33rd annual membership meeting in Baton Rouge. Click the bold headline above to read the complete release.

LABI - Program of Work 2008 - (1/01/08)
This important policy guide is the blueprint LABI uses to determine our position on key issues of importance to the business community.