Louisiana Association of Business and Industry

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
Name	Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
Abbreviation	LABI
Formation	1976
Headquarters	Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Region	Louisiana
Membership	Businesses, trade associations
Leader title	President

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is a statewide business advocacy organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that represents industry groups, trade associations, and major corporations. Founded in the mid-1970s during a period of regulatory and fiscal change in the United States, the organization engages with the Louisiana Legislature, United States Congress, state executive agencies such as the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and regional bodies including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Petroleum Institute affiliates. LABI positions itself as a voice for sectors including petroleum, Chemical industry, agriculture, Maritime transport, and manufacturing.

History

The organization emerged in 1976 amid debates over taxation, energy policy, and state regulatory frameworks, drawing leaders from companies active in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Port of South Louisiana. Early activities involved coalition-building with groups like the National Federation of Independent Business and interactions with state governors such as Edwin Edwards and David C. Treen over fiscal policy and incentives. Through the 1980s oil downturn and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina recovery, the association coordinated positions alongside the Louisiana Chemical Association and national entities including National Association of Manufacturers. In the 2010s and 2020s LABI engaged with debates over tax reform tied to governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards, and participated in litigation and regulatory comment processes before courts such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Organization and Governance

LABI is structured as a trade association with an executive leadership team, a board of directors drawn from corporate members, and sector-specific councils representing oil companies, steel producers, pharmaceutical firms, and utility companies. Governance includes bylaws, membership dues, and advisory committees that interact with state institutions such as the Louisiana Board of Commerce and local chambers of commerce like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce. Officers and past presidents have included executives from firms headquartered in Shreveport, Lafayette, and the Mississippi River corridor; these leaders also often serve on boards of universities such as Louisiana State University and healthcare systems like Ochsner Health System.

Policy Positions and Advocacy

The association advances positions on taxation, incentives, workforce development, and regulatory reform, engaging with tax codes such as the Internal Revenue Code where federal interplay affects state policy. LABI has advocated for incentives modeled on programs like the Motion Picture Industry Development Tax Credit and has lobbied around energy rules tied to agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and state counterparts. The group coordinates with associations including the American Chamber of Commerce affiliates, files comments during rulemakings, and promotes legislation relating to ports—working with entities such as the Port of New Orleans and Port of South Louisiana—as well as workforce initiatives involving institutions like Tulane University and Southeastern Louisiana University.

Membership and Services

Membership comprises corporations, trade groups, small business coalitions, and professional service firms from sectors such as LNG export terminals, sugar, forestry, commercial fishing, and tourism. Services offered include policy analysis, regulatory tracking, member meetings, and networking events hosted with partners like the Greater New Orleans Foundation and local economic development offices. LABI provides reports and white papers comparable to research by the Brookings Institution or Pew Charitable Trusts and works with consulting firms and law practices operating in Louisiana cities including Alexandria and Monroe.

Political Activity and Lobbying

The organization maintains an active lobbying presence before the Louisiana Legislature and the United States Congress, employs registered lobbyists, and engages in political action through affiliated political committees. LABI's activities intersect with election cycles, candidate forums, and policy coalitions involving groups like the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Democratic Party of Louisiana on specific legislative packages. Its lobbying expenditures and political contributions have been documented in state filings and reported in outlets such as the Times-Picayune and The Advocate, and it has coordinated with national entities like the Business Roundtable on federal-state policy alignment.

Economic Impact and Research

LABI commissions and disseminates economic impact studies estimating job creation, investment, and tax revenue effects of policies and projects involving the Offshore oil and gas industry, chemical plants, and port infrastructure. Its research often cites data sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and state revenue projections to argue for incentives tied to projects at sites like the Louisiana Industrial Canal and regional industrial parks. The association collaborates with academic researchers at institutions such as Louisiana Tech University and University of New Orleans to model workforce trends and fiscal impacts.

Controversies and Criticism

LABI has faced criticism from environmental groups like the Sierra Club and Bayou Campaign-affiliated activists over support for petrochemical expansion and incentives for fossil fuel projects, and from labor organizations including the AFL–CIO over collective bargaining and wage policy positions. Critics in media outlets such as The Times-Picayune and advocacy groups like Public Citizen have challenged its influence on tax policy, regulatory rollbacks, and campaign contributions, leading to public debates during gubernatorial administrations and high-profile legislative sessions. Legal challenges have occasionally involved state courts and federal appeals where business interests contested regulations promulgated by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Category:Trade associations based in the United States