A Culinary Extravaganza Supporting LRA Programs, including ProStart
 
The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Greater Baton Rouge Chapter is thrilled to announce the return of the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Oktoberfest, proudly sponsored by Mockler Beverage Company and Anheuser-Busch. This exciting event is dedicated to supporting LRA Programs, including ProStart, a two-year restaurant management and culinary arts curriculum in 19 Baton Rouge area high schools, while delivering an unforgettable evening of culinary delights, live entertainment, and camaraderie.
 
Event Details:

• Date: October 5, 2023
• Time: 6-9 p.m.
• Location: Pointe-Marie, 14200 River Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Tickets: $50 (Click here for tickets) 

 
Delicious German-Inspired Cuisine Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary journey as Baton Rouge’s finest restaurants, including Cecelia Creole Bistro, SoLou, City Slice, The Overpass Merchant, Off the Hook, L’Auberge Casino & Resort, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, Country Pleasin' Sausage, The Gregory at the Watermark Hotel, Fresh Chef Kitchen, Go Eat Concepts, P-Beau’s and Modesto, come together to serve authentic German-inspired dishes exclusively at Oktoberfest at Pointe-Marie.
 
In addition, four area ProStart programs will be on serving German-style dishes they have developed in their culinary labs.
 
Live Entertainment and Contests As the evening unfolds, attendees can look forward to dancing the night away to the tunes of the local sensation, PANTS PARTY. Additionally, a costume contest will allow attendees to showcase their creativity and embrace the Oktoberfest spirit. For those with the strength and determination, there will be a stein holding contest to test their mettle.
 
A Night for a Good Cause Oktoberfest Committee Chair Brad Watts (Cecelia Creole Bistro) emphasized, “The 2nd Annual Oktoberfest is a recipe for success, blending the joy of community, the zest of culinary innovation, and the sizzle of lively entertainment. It’s where Baton Rouge comes together to raise a toast to our industry’s future, all while having a stein-holding good time!”
 
Original Culinary Creations Baton Rouge’s top restaurants will bring German-inspired original dishes to the event. Stand-out dishes include:

• P-Beau’s: Beer & Cheese Soup with Pretzel
• SoLou: Currywurst with Sauerkraut
• The Gregory: Black Forest German Cheesecake
• The Overpass Merchant: Whipped Parsnips with Marzin Braised Beef

 
*Photos and b-roll video available upon request.
 
The Louisiana Restaurant Association is a business trade association representing more than 7,000 eating and drinking places across the state. As the largest employer, the restaurant industry provides careers and jobs to more than 200,000 residents. Restaurants are philanthropic in nature and support many community causes. Events such as Oktoberfest benefit LRA programs, including ProStart—a two-year culinary arts and restaurant management curriculum found in 19 high schools in the Greater Baton Rouge area. 

Early voting is September 30 - October 7 (excluding Sunday, October 1) from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Click here to vote early at a designated location in your parish. 

Visit the Secretary of State's website to get election information here. 

There are four constitutional amendments on the ballot. The Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) provides a guide to help you determine your position. Click here. 

The Gubernatorial Primary Election is Saturday, October 14, 2023. 

Governor John Bel Edwards held a press conference on Friday, Sept. 22 and was accompanied by Colonel Jones from the U.S. Army Corps and Dr. Joseph Kantor of the Louisiana Dept. of Health, who provided the following information. 

Here are the take aways from the press conference.

Saltwater Intrusion and Its Impact:

• Governor Edwards provided an update on the saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River on September 22, accompanied by officials from various agencies.
• The situation is due to prolonged drought conditions and has added to a series of challenges in the state, including wildfires, heat-related deaths, and saltwater intrusion.
• The intrusion is projected to persist for an extended period and is worsening, reaching further upriver.
• Lower Plaquemines Parish has been experiencing the issue since early summer, leading to emergency declarations at the state and federal levels.

Response and Assistance:

• The federal declaration will offer a 75% reimbursement for water-related expenses and involve resources from the EPA and US Department of Transportation.

Water Supply and Conservation:

• Ensuring an adequate drinking water supply is a top priority.
• Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and not to panic. Accurate information is available on the GOSHEP emergency website.
• Efforts are underway to augment the underwater sill to raise it to 25 feet, with benefits expected in various areas in October.
• Barging water, up to 15 million gallons a week, will help reduce salt levels in the municipal water supply.
• There's a plan to transport 36 million gallons per day from Bootheville to Gretna.
• Residents are urged not to hoard bottled water, as there is no shortage in the state or the country. Companies are being asked to stock up instead.
• Conservation measures, such as avoiding activities like lawn watering, are encouraged.

Water Quality Concerns:

• Mayor Cantrell of New Orleans signed an emergency declaration.
• Water taste deterioration may precede health concerns.
• Special precautions are advised for individuals with high blood pressure, pregnant women in their third trimester, and infants consuming formula mixed with water due to varying water system conditions, including lead pipes in New Orleans and PVC pipes downstream.

Lead Pipe Identification and Mitigation:

• New Orleans Sewerage and Water has been proactive in addressing lead pipes in the city, identifying over 50,000 of them in response to EPA decrees for aging infrastructure.
• Colonel Jones mentioned collaboration with NOSWB on mitigation methods, including piping water into the system via systems north of Kenner.

You may have seen news stories about the saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River and the impact it may have on the water supply of communities upstream. The LRA Team, along with the Louisiana Dept. of Health (LDH) Engineering Team, is working to prepare members for the impact this could have on our residents and restaurants, should the situation worsen. The LDH in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are collaborating on communication and the construction of a higher underwater dam to stem the flow of salt water upriver.
 
Here are a few things to consider:
 

1. Saltwater Threat to Drinking Water: The Mississippi River is experiencing one of its lowest levels in recent history, and saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico could impact the processing of drinking water as far north as New Orleans' French Quarter.
2. Barrier Construction: The Corps has announced plans to enhance an existing underwater barrier to prevent the intrusion of saltwater further up the river. The current barrier “also called a sill” is expected to be overtopped by saltwater around September 22, potentially affecting Belle Chasse's drinking water by early October.
3. Current Impact: Due to saltwater intrusion, around 2,000 residents in Plaquemines Parish are relying on bottled water and other sources rather than their municipal system. The parish has distributed over 1.5 million gallons of water to affected residents.
4. Frequency of Saltwater Wedge: This phenomenon, known as a "saltwater wedge," typically occurs about once per decade, but 2023 marks the second consecutive year of low river flow due to drought, increasing the risk.
5. River Flow Predictions: Forecasts suggest that the river's flow could drop significantly by mid-October, making it challenging to push the saltwater back into the Gulf of Mexico.
6. Barrier Modification: The Corps plans to raise the current underwater barrier while creating a notch to allow ships to pass through. However, this plan is temporary as the real solution requires additional rainfall to alleviate the issue.
7. Alternative Solutions: The Corps is exploring the possibility of shipping freshwater from higher up the river to dilute the saltiness at affected water-treatment plants. Smaller treatment plants may also receive technology to remove salt and purify the water using reverse osmosis.
8. Health Precautions: Residents should not consume water compromised by seawater, as it can exacerbate some health problems like hypertension. There is also the possibility of damage to appliances that use water (washers, dishwashers, icemakers etc.) if they are exposed to corrosive saltwater.
9. Future Studies: The Corps is conducting a 5-year study of the lower Mississippi River to examine the effects of saltwater intrusion and ways to reduce its impact in the future. This study will be vital in developing strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on the river and its communities.

 
Once the saltwater reaches the intake, it could be a few weeks before it could disrupt the water supply given the concentration of the water system’s chloride functions. This would not create a boil water advisory, as the issue with saltwater is not bacterial, but corrosion of plumbing systems, which may leach metals in the water supply.
 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is proposing a new threshold for overtime pay (1.5 normal earnings) for salaried employees earning up to $55,068. The current overtime threshold of $35,568 per year has been in place since 2020, making this a 55% increase ($19,500) to the federal salary threshold.
 
Salaried employees earning up to $55,068 per year will get overtime pay (1.5X normal earnings) when working over 40 hours a week, according to a new federal proposal. The current overtime threshold of $35,568 per year has been in place since 2020, making this a 55% increase ($19,500) to the federal salary threshold.
 
Total cost: The U.S. Labor Department (DOL) estimates this will result in a “Year 1 income transfer” of $1.2 billion from employers to employees.
 
How we got here: DOL sets a salary threshold to ensure eligible employees receiver overtime pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Using 2022 data, the newly proposed salary amount equals $1,059 per week, or $55,068 annually for a full-year worker.
 
Leading Congressional Democrats have long supported federal overtime increases, as the Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2023 proposes to raise the threshold to $75,000 per year by 2026.
 
Red flag: The DOL’s proposed rule also seeks an automatic “update” of the salary threshold every three years.
 
In the weeds: The DOL did not change the “standard duties test” to classify exempted administrative and executive positions.
 
Next steps: The NRA will collect feedback and plans to submit comments by the November 7 deadline. The DOL will also host briefings on the proposal in coming weeks.

• FAQ on the Overtime Proposal (DOL, 9 pages)
• The Proposed Rule on Overtime (DOL, 267 pages)

 
LRA members are encouraged to review Overtime Proposal FAQs and provide comments on the impact it will have on your restaurant or hospitality business. 

​Review Comments & Submit Yours