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Programs & Initiatives

Public Policy

A unified voice in Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C.

GNO, Inc. collaborates with business leaders from across the region to serve as a unified voice in Baton Rouge and Washington D.C., advocating for legislative polices that lower costs, encourage investment, and reduce risk.

Mission:

  • Work with target sector committees to develop and forward state and federal legislative initiatives and
    strategies that will help promote attraction and retention of companies in the four target industries.
  • Actively support and lead statewide and regional efforts focused on addressing issues that
    fundamentally affect the region’s ability to recruit and retain companies and residents.

2010-2011 STATE POLICY AGENDA

2010 State Legislative Goals


  1. Revenue Flexibility (tuition/fees) for Higher Education to allow colleges to set their own tuition and fees, like other states, to promote revenue solutions that better meet program and resouce needs (constitutional change).

  2. Expenditure Flexibility (cost cutting) for Higher Education to allow colleges more discretion in reducing expenses in response to budget cuts.

  3. Reinstate the Angel Investor Tax Credit program which expired in December 2009. Address other program issues, such as the annual cap and predictability of the credit.

    Legislative Alert: Angel Bill

2010 State Budget Goals


  1. Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence funding through one-time sources or the state capital outlay program.

  2. LeapFrog Matching Funds to support business “proof of concept” initiative to be implemented in the GNO Region. Support should come from government and grant funding to leverage private sector capital.

  3. Stage C of the Napoleon Avenue cargo terminal expansion

2010 State Administrative Goals


  1. Reduce the royalty rate on deep gas exploration via administrative changes by the Mineral Management Board, consistent with SCR 146 of 2009.

  2. Adopt New Higher Education Funding Formula: should be performanced based, equitable to program costs (i.e. nursing programs), based on regional business needs, and promote greater capacity in the community college system (LCTCS).

  3. Promote rulemaking for the state trade incentive program enacted in 2009, both the investment tax credit and import/export tax credit.

2011 State Policy Goals (assumed non-germane to the 2010 General Session)


  1. Enact sales tax exemption for deep gas exploration and drilling. This is a carryover item from the REEL package in 2009.

  2. Improve the state trade incentive program enacted in 2009, to address the expenditure cap, tax credit transferability, and other program restrictions.

  3. Property Tax Reforms: Broaden the tax base by lowering the property expemption and/or changing the application to “first dollar.” Does not provide immediate tax relief but will create a more balanced approach.

  4. Targeted tax policy changes such as expanding the application of corporate single sales factor (2005) and expanding the capital gains exclusion (2009).

2010 FEDERAL POLICY AGENDA

Business Sector Initiatives


  1. Trade: Support Free Trade Agreements with Columbia, Korea, and Panama. Seek Treasury approval for New Orleans “Port of Entry” designation with Cuba, and support legislation to boost export activity through S. 2862 Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act.

  2. Advanced Manufacturing: Support continued funding for the DOD Navy LDP-26 Ship construction. Seek NASA committment for ARES V to be manufactured in Louisiana, and full program funding for NASA Constellation in 2011 Budget.

  3. Energy: Federal funding of $1.2 million for Baptiste Collette Dredging engineering and design, leveraged by $3 million by Louisiana, for oil service support to the Eastern Gulf. Oppose new federal regulations and policies that may stifle exploration interests on and offshore in Louisiana.

Recovery Issues


  1. 100-Year Storm Protection: Keeping the Corps of Engineers on track for 2011. Pursue additional storm defense funding/programs beyond 100-Year status.

  2. Water Resources Development Act Projects: MRGO business reolcation assistance due to MRGO closure, and Industrial canal business assistance caused by construction of surge gate at the Seabrook Bridge.

  3. GO-Zone Incentives: Extend the bonus depreciation “placed in service” deadline two years, due to expire December 2010 in most impacted parishes. Also authorize additional Go-Zone Bonds to LA, targeted to most impacted areas.

Business Climate Issues


  1. Oppose the Employee Free Choice Act, known as “Card Check” in its original form or any amended form, which would tilt the labor rules of engagement and impede business operations, in the midst of tough economic conditions.

  2. Economic Incentives: Extend/Expand Empowerment Zones, Historic Tax Credits, New Markets, Brownfields, Renewal Community, Research and Development, and Small Business Research programs.

  3. Insurance Solutions: Reauthorization and modernization of the NFIP Program, with increased coverage limits and optional business interruption insurance. Support long term federal solutions, such as a national backstop, adding wind coverage to NFIP, coastal zone risk pool, or all hazards approach.

Downloads

2009 Session Delivers Strong Results
For Economic Development

2009 State Legislative Agenda and Outcomes

2008 Legislative Compendium


GNO, Inc., 365 Canal Street, Suite 2300, New Orleans, LA 70130T: 504.527.6900F: 504.527.6970