JEFFERSON BUSINESS COUNCIL ANNOUNCES 2017 PLAN OF ACTION

The Jefferson Business Council, an organization of 56 Jefferson Parish major business owners and chief executive officers entering its 25th year of existence, has announced its action plan for 2017. As it has in the past, the JBC will be proactive in federal, state and local issues that affect the interests of Jefferson Parish residents and business with its goal of insuring a safe and high quality of life and vibrant economic climate for the Parish and region. JBC Chairman Mickal Adler stated: “We will also continue to partner with GNO, Inc., the Jefferson Chamber, the Southeast Coalition of Business Councils, JEDCO, Council For A Better Louisiana, the Bureau of Governmental Research and Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, in advancing public policy initiatives that will move our parish, region and Louisiana in a positive direction.”
The major focus of the action plan, which is also expected to be fluid in adopting issues that arise during the year, is broken down into federal, state and local issues as follows:
FEDERAL ISSUES
• INSURING AN AFFORDABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FLOOD INSURANCE THROUGH THE RE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
• ENACTMENT OF MARKETPLACE FAIRNESS TO INSURE BRICK AND MORTAR RETAILERS WILL OPERATE ON AN EVEN FIELD WITH INTERNET SALES
• INSURE THAT PROGRAMS AND FUNDING ARE OBTAINED THAT WILL ENHANCE COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION
• ENACTMENT OF CORPORATE TAX REFORMS THAT WILL CREATE JOBS FOR RESIDENTS

STATE ISSUES
• SUPPORT OF REFORMING STATE BUDGET PRACTICES
• FOCUSING ON SENSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE REVENUE AND TAX REFORM
• CONSIDERATION OF SMART SENTENCING GUIDELINES AND PRACTICES DIRECTED TOWARD REDUCING RECIDIVISM AND INCARCERATION RATES
• CREATING A UNIFIED SYSTEM OF STATE SALES TAX COLLECTION
• DEFENDING ATTEMPTS TO ATTACK PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION REFORMS ENACTED TO PROVIDE A BETTER SYSTEM FOR THE CHILDREN SERVED
• EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND LEARING AS A MEANS OF ACHIEVING BETTER EDUCATION OUTCOMES, A MORE QUALIFIED AND DIVERSE WORKFORCE, LOWERING LEVELS OF INCARCERATION AND CREATING A MORE VIBRANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT
• INSURING THAT COASTAL RESTORATION AND PROTECTION EFFORTS ARE COORDINATED WITH FEDERAL AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES
LOCAL ISSUES
• WORKING TO OBTAIN A RETASKING OF THE AVONDALE SHIPYARDS SIGHT
• MONITORING OF WEST JEFFERSON HOSPITAL LEASE TRUE UP
• MONITORING STATUS OF EAST JEFFERSON HOSPITAL
• ASSISTING WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF JEFFERSON EDGE 2020 RECOMMENDATIONS
• INSURING THAT THE JEFFERSON PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IMPROVES ITS METRICS RELATIVE TO THE EDUCATION OF ITS STUDENTS ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS
• OBTAINING FUNDING FOR NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL ACCESS ROADS
• CONTINUING IMPROVEMENTS OF THE JEFFERSON PARISH PERMITTING PROCESS
• PROMOTING BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE WEST BANK OF JEFFERSON PARISH
• IMPROVEMENT OF JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT BUDGET PRACTICES
• INSURING THAT FUNDS RECEIVED FOR COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION ARE SPENT EFFECTIVELY
• CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE EFFORTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT