May 11, 2015 - Monroe Chamber of Commerce

MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT
Volume 15, Issue 19
2585854
Monroe Chamber
of Commerce
Weekly Report
Last week ULM Students helped with the ground breaking for the new Doppler Radar. The
radar is part of a $3 million grant from GOHSEP, Louisiana's local emergency
preparedness department. The radar will be located at ULM Agricultural and Mechanical
building site, located at 807 HWY. 80E. Photo by Emerald Harris/ULM Photo Services
Services
TOGETHER WE’RE STRONGER
May 11, 2015
CALENDAR
THIRTY-EIGHT BUSINESSES NOMINATED FOR
2015 THOMAS H. SCOTT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Monday, May 11 at 11:00 a.m.-The Small
Business Development Center will host a
celebration at their office on the UM Campus.
Thirty-eight Ouachita Parish businesses have been nominated for the 2015
Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence. The nominations honor companies
making significant contributions to the Ouachita Parish economy through capital
improvements, expansion, job creation, and community involvement during
2014/2015. This year’s nominees have created or retained an astounding 5,970
jobs in Ouachita Parish and made capital investments totaling almost $162.6
million.
Tuesday, May 12 at 12 noon-The
Ambassador’s will meet with LA Treasurer John
Kennedy as the keynote speaker. Contact Sarita
at 323-3461 or sdaniel@monroe.org for more
details or to RSVP. Cost to attend is $15.
The eighteen finalists in the small business (less than 10 employees) category are:
Affinity ENT Clinic, Affinity Industrial Medicine. Bayou Insurance, Blake
Wheelis Insurance Agency, Inc., Carl Stanitzky and Associates, Carol Powell
Lexing and Associates, Direct Auto Insurance, Dynamic Solutions Worldwide,
Inc., Homeland Bank, I. T. Biz Solutions, Infiniti Coatings, Gypsy Soul, Khan
Mongolian Grill, Monroe Endodontics, Robert Davis Photography, Sleepy
Hollow Furniture, Sweet Lucy’s Bakery, and The Fleurty Ginger Boutique, LLC.
Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00 a.m. - Ribbon
Cutting for Gypsy Soul. The business is located
at 4150 Old Sterlington Road inside Hideaway
Village Shopping Center.
The eight finalists in the medium business (between 11-50 employees) category
are: Interstate Hyundai, Inc., Helping Hands Pediatric Day Health Center, Kelsey
Klean, LLC, Learning Solutions, Inc., Planet Fitness-Monroe, Trapp’s, Vieux
Carre Market, and Zaxby’s.
In the large business (51-100 employees) category, the seven nominees are: First
National Bank, NewWave Communications, Ouachita Valley Federal Credit
Union, Southern Hospitality Services, LLC, Specialty Management Services of
Ouachita, LLC, Tyner-Petrus Company, Inc., and Whataburger.
Continued on Page 5
Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m.-The Monroe
City Council will meet at Monroe City Hall
Council Chambers.
Wednesday, May 13 at 12:00 noon.-The
Greater Ouachita Port Commission will meet at
the Monroe Chamber office.
Monday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m.-Ouachita Parish
Police Jury will meet at the Ouachita Parish
Courthouse.
Wednesday, May 20 at 12 noon-The Northeast
Louisiana Young Professionals will meet at The
Palace in Downtown Monroe. Ouachita Parish
Sheriff Jay Russell is the keynote speaker. Cost
to attend is $15 per person. Contact Daphne
McClish at dmcclish@monroe.org to RSVP.
Thursday, May 21 at 6:00 p.m.-The Thomas
H. Scott Awards will be held at the ULM
Conference Center. Cost to attend is $30 per
person. Contact Sarita at 323-3461 or
sdaniel@monroe.org for more information.
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT
5854
House Generates $664 Million for Colleges and Universities
The 2015 Louisiana State Legislative Session is now entering its fifth week. Over 1100 bills have been filed by
lawmakers to deal with a $1.6 billion budget shortfall for our state. The House hoped to raise $937 million to fund
both higher education and health care, but fell short. Last week, the House approved legislation that raised about
$664 million to prevent devastating cuts to our colleges and universities, but not enough to fully fund the public
health care system. The series of eleven bills rolled back tax exemptions and credits given as incentives to the
business community.
The House approved raising the cigarette tax by 32 cents for a total of 68 cents per pack. Lawmakers eliminated a
corporate tax loophole that allowed businesses that lose money to apply those losses to reduce taxes from the
previous three years. The horizontal drilling tax credit took a blow by decreasing the amount of severance tax
exemption and basing the exemption on the price of oil and gas. Tax credits were reduced on taxes paid by
Louisiana residents who reside in other states. In addition, solar energy tax credits will be phased out. Tax credits
were reduced to businesses and higher income individual. A $200 million cap on the film tax credits was
approved. The hardest fought measure was a 25% reduction in inventory tax credits. Finally, a 20% reduction for a
variety of tax breaks and refunds passed. These include items like dependent employee and dependent health care
coverage, theatre productions and property taxes paid by certain telephone companies.
Transportation is another big issue this session. Lack of funding for roads and bridges has legislators reaching for
bold ways to improve our infrastructure. A proposal passed out of committee last week that will raise the state
gasoline sales tax by one cent. The revenue generated would fund 16 projects statewide. The bill also would send
$100 million per year of the new sales tax revenue to a proposed infrastructure bank that would offer low-interest
loans to local governments for road and bridge projects.
The House measures will now head to the Senate, which could try to amend some of the bills passed by the House
to raise more money. In addition, any final measures approved by the House and Senate must still go to Gov.
Bobby Jindal for his approval. The House and Senate have until June 11 to approve a balanced budget for Jindal’s
approval. Governor Jindal has said he would veto it if the budget contains a net tax increase.
Northern Exposure 2015
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 15, Issue 19
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 15, Issue 19
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 15, Issue 19
Keep in Touch-Northeast Louisiana Legislators
LA Senate
Senator Bob Kostelka (R)
District 35
P.O. Box 2122
Monroe, LA 71207
(318) 362-3474
(318) 388-4176 (Fax)
kostelka@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
Legislative aide:
Katie Murphy
Senator Gerald Long (R)
District 31
P.O. Box 151
Winnfield, LA 71483
(318) 628-5799
(318) 628-6120 (Fax)
longg@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
Legislative aide:
Myrtle Lasyone
Senator Neil Riser (R)
District 32
216 Main Street
P.O. Box 117
Columbia, LA 71418
(318) 649-0977
(318) 649-0979 (Fax)
risern@legis.la.gov
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
Legislative aide:
Annette McGuffee
Senator Francis Thompson (D)
District 34
P.O. Box 68
Delhi, LA 71232
(318) 878-9408
(318) 878-5650 (Fax)
thompsof@legis.la.gov
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
Legislative aide:
Sharon Gilmore
Senator Mike Walsworth (R)
District 33
4007 Whites Ferry, Ste. A
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 340-6453
(318) 396-0192 (Fax)
walsworthm@legis.la.gov
Capitol Office
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
Legislative aide:
Angie Robert
Senator Rick Gallot Jr. (D)
District 29
203 South Vienna
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 251-5019
(318) 251-5018 (Fax)
gallotr@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 94183
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-2040
Legislative aide:
Sharonda Hatter
LA House of Representatives
Rep. Andy Anders (D)
District 21
200 Advocate Row, Ste D
Vidalia, LA 71373
(318) 336-5865
(318) 336-9268 (Fax)
larep021@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Laura James
Rep. Terry Brown (I)
District 22
510 Main Street
Colfax, LA 71417
(855) 261-6566
(318) 627-5155 (Fax)
browntr@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Anne Brevelle
Rep. Charles “Bubba” Chaney (R)
District 19
806 Louisa St., Ste. B
Rayville, LA 71269
(318) 728-5875
(318) 728-5876 (Fax)
chaneyb@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Annette Rayborn
Rep. Rob Shadoin (R)
District 12
207 W. Mississippi, Ste. 300
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 251-5039
(318) 251-5091 (Fax)
shadoinr@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Barbara Marrable
Rep. Steven E. Pylant (R)
District 20
805 Jackson Street, Suite A
Winnsboro, LA 71295
(318) 435-7313
(318) 435-2994 (Fax)
pylants@legis. la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Nikki Stewart
Rep. Jim Fannin (D)District 13
320 Sixth Street
Jonesboro, LA 71251
(318) 259-6620
(318) 259-6645 (Fax)
Larep013@legis. la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Jacqueline Adams
Rep. Patrick Jefferson (D)
District 11
700 North Main St.
Homer, LA 71040
(318) 927-2519
(318) 927-6594 (Fax)
jeffersonpo@legis. la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Roderick D. Hampton
Rep. Frank Hoffmann (R)
District 15
204 N. Third St.
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 362-4130
(318) 362-4131 (Fax)
hoffmanf@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Kathy Ray
Rep. Marcus Hunter (D)
District 17
900 St. John Street
Monroe, LA 71201
(318) 362-3440
(318) 362-3450 (Fax)
hunterm@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Cassandra Shelling
Rep. Katrina Jackson (D)
District 16
PO Box 636
Monroe, LA 71210
(318) 362-5123
(318) 362-5125 (Fax)
jacksonk@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Linda Turner
Rep. John C. Morris, III (R)
District 14
2309 Oliver Road
Monroe, LA 71201
(318) 362-4270
(318) 362-4277 (Fax)
morrisjc@legis.la.gov
Capital Office
P.O. Box 44281
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
(225) 342-7259
Legislative aide:
Katie May
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 15, Issue 19
Scott Awards
Continued from Page 1
The five nominees for the corporate category (over 100 employees) are: Affinity Corporate
Annex, Central Oil & Supply, CenturyLink, St. Francis Medical Center, and Wal-Mart
Neighborhood Market.
A reception will be held Thursday, May 21st at 6:00 p.m. at the ULM Conference Center to
honor each nominee and recognize their accomplishments during 2014-2015. The highlight
of the reception will be the presentation of the Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence to one
winner in each of the four business categories. In addition, special Judge’s awards will also
be presented. Tickets for the event are $30 per person. For more information or to register
for the event, call the Monroe Chamber at 318-323-3461.
The Thomas H. Scott Awards of Excellence Reception is hosted by the Monroe Chamber of
Commerce, the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s College of Business and The News-Star.
Presenting sponsor for the event is Scott Powerline and Utility. Additional sponsors for the
reception are: Atmos, Allen, Green and Williamson, All Star Trophies and Awards,
Brookshire’s, Car Town, DeltaStyle, IberiaBank, Progressive Bank, Patty Stewart
Photography, Lagniappe Broadcasting, KTVE/KARD, P & S Surgical Hospital, Strauss
Interests, ANGUS, The News-Star, The ULM College of Business and the City of Monroe, the
Radio People and Heard, McElroy & Vestal.
Northeast Louisiana Young Professionals
Wednesday, May 20 - 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Location: The Palace, 220 DeSiard Street
Sheriff Jay Russell, Ouachita Parish Sherriff
Catered by: The Kitchen Restaurant
Cost to attend is $15 per person (no shows responsible for payment)
Please RSVP by noon on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 All late reservations will be assessed an additional $5pp
Contact Daphne at 807-4018 or email at dmcclish@monroe. org
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 15, Issue 19
Please join us for our annual spring conference
***Friday May 15, 2015 7:45 AM to 3:30PM***
West Monroe Convention Center, 901 Ridge Ave, West Monroe, LA
We have 5 great speakers lined up for the event:
7:45-8:15 Breakfast and Introductions
8:15-9:15 Cindy Rodgers - Business ETHICS....Who we are and how we ought to act.
SMALL BREAK 15mins
9:30-10:30 Michael Bertaut - ACA- what employers need to be in compliance with now that the healthcare reform is in full force
SMALL BREAK 15mins
10:45-11:45 Brian Crews - The software designed to handle new reporting requirements related to the ACA
11:45-1:00 Lunch/Vender Booth
1:00-200 David Donavan - Non-violent crisis intervention
2:00-2:30 Vender Booths Prizes
2:30-3:30 Fred Preis- Management Training with Leaves of Absences
All speakers topics are being submitted HRCI Credit
The cost for NELA-SHRM members will be $80 and $105 for non-members which covers the cost of the room, a light
breakfast and lunch.
NELA-SHRM
PO BOX 4582
Monroe, LA 712 11
Any questions can be referred to debbie.skeen@kellyservices.com or Leigh Rodgers at lrodgers@richlandbank.net
MONROE CHAMBER WEEKLY REPORT | Volume 15, Issue 19
MONROE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
212 Walnut Street, Suite 100
Monroe, LA 71201
PHONE: (318) 323-3461
FAX: (318) 812-7594
You are cordially invited to join the
E-MAIL:
communications@monroe.org
Website: www.monroe.org
Monroe Chamber Ambassador’s
At a luncheon on Tuesday, May 12 at 12 noon at
The Clarion Inn and Suites
Keynote speaker is
THE MONROE CHAMBER’S MISSION
IS TO LEAD IN THE CREATION
LA State Treasurer John Kennedy
OF AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH
OUR BUSINESSES THRIVE.
Cost to attend is $15. To RSVP or for more information, please call Sarita
Daniel at 323-3461
or at sdaniels@monroe.org