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One Acadiana releases 2016 legislative priorities

LAFAYETTE – One Acadiana (1A) is advancing a set of legislative priorities, developed through its policy committees and adopted by its Board of Directors. These priorities build on the “Priorities for a Better Acadiana” and reflect Louisiana's urgent need for fiscal stability and sustainability. Achieving success on these priorities will require leadership and commitment from our State government leaders and strong collaboration with partners across Louisiana.
“As a region and a state we can’t afford to lose sight of our long-term potential for growth,” 1A President & CEO Jason El Koubi said. “We believe our legislative priorities set the tone for preserving and encouraging that potential. Our leaders face an enormous challenge in eliminating the budget deficit, but the debate must not create a false choice between slamming the brakes on our state's economic development and slashing important investments in our future, including higher education and workforce development. We’re working with legislators from our nine-parish region to encourage a responsible solution.”
1A’s 2016 legislative priorities include:
Fiscal Priorities: Seek long-term fiscal sustainability and stability through cost-containing measures and reform of the budget process while adequately funding key priorities like pre-K-12 and higher education, health care, and transportation infrastructure
Economic Development: Maintain and advance industry-based competitiveness, including key economic development incentives proven to generate return on public investment (esp. Digital Media/Software Development, Quality Jobs, R&D, Competitive Projects Payroll Incentive, and Angel Investor)
Transportation Infrastructure: Maintain I-49 South as a top transportation priority for the state and work toward a sustainable transportation funding solution, including restoring faith in the Transportation Trust Fund
Workforce Development: Promote demand-driven workforce programs, support increased autonomy for higher education institutions, and advocate for capital outlay funds to strengthen SLCC’s new International School of Aviation Excellence and construct a new UL Lafayette engineering facility
Public Education: Protect and advance gains made in pre-K-12 education by maintaining rigorous academic standards matched with a fair, robust accountability system designed to increase student achievement
“One Acadiana's legislative priorities are shaped by issues that are most important to the future of our regional economy,” stated Joe Giglio, Shareholder at Liskow & Lewis and Chairman of 1A's Governmental Relations Committee. “It’s crucial that we let our delegation know what issues matter most to businesses across our nine-parish region.”
Representative Vincent Pierre, Chairman of the Acadiana Delegation, applauded 1A for working to bring legislators and business leaders together, “I am thrilled to see a new level of collaboration between our regional business community and its legislators that will help take our region to the next level.”
Speaker of the House Taylor Barras added, “Now more than ever we must come together as a region and advance priorities like these that protect and grow our economy.”
1A’s 2016 legislative priorities are available for download by visiting the website at OneAcadiana.org/2016-priorities.

About One Acadiana

One Acadiana is the leading economic development organization for the nine-parish Acadiana region located in south Louisiana. With more than 1,200 investors, members, and partners, One Acadiana serves as the voice of the regional business community. The organization is located in the city of Lafayette and serves a region of roughly 700,000 people with a vibrant culture and unique entrepreneurial spirit.

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