Jim Funk
President and Chief Executive Officer with overall responsibility
for all association activities including but not limited
to the following: Legislative Affairs/HostPAC,
Regulatory Agencies/Local, State and Federal,
Media Relations, Association Policies, Program
Development/Implementation and CEO of LRA/SIF.


Chief Executive Officer's Message
from A La Carte, the official magazine of the
Louisiana Restaurant Association, Spring 2008

With a strong history of advocacy on behalf of the Louisiana restaurant industry, the 2008 Legislative Session will be no exception for the LRA. Prior to the Regular Session, which began March 31, Gov. Jindal called two Special Sessions to address ethics reform and the state’s surplus.

The latter was a good session for the business sector. When the taxes are phased out on corporate debt and sales tax on utilities for manufacturers, Louisiana will be in a much better position to compete against other states to draw new businesses.

According to Grading the States `08, the Pew Center on the States gave Louisiana high marks in the areas of money (B), people (B) and information (B+). However, the report stated, “There is a deferred maintenance backlog for buildings and roads in excess of $5 billion,” thus Louisiana fell short in the area of infrastructure (C+).

Of the $800 million surplus in 2006, nearly $400 million was allocated for highways and road repairs. With $1.1 billion surplus in 2007, $550 million was appropriated for highways and roads (infrastructure) which will help boost tourism and create jobs in Louisiana.

The 2008 Regular Session will be a busy one for the LRA. On the forefront—workers’ compensation reform—led by Louisianans for Workers’ Compensation Reform, of which the LRA is a charter member. The medical costs associated with claims in the past decades have more than quadrupled, while the LRA has helped its members reduce workplace accidents at the same rate.

Also, the LRA will support the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry’s (LABI) proposal to dissolve the Department of Labor to create the Workforce Commission. This proposal will cut out much of the bureaucracy which keeps the funding for workforce development from reaching the industries and workers who need it most.

There may be a need to call upon our grassroots network this session. The LRA might request that you contact your legislator and let your voice be heard on key issues relative to the restaurant industry.

Remember, what we do together, does make a difference.