Several business groups recently gathered to discuss options for improving what they consider to be a worsening legal climate in the state of Louisiana.
The luncheon and panel discussion was sponsored by Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense and Grow Louisiana Coalition, a Jan. 24 posting on watchdog.org said. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), Louisiana Motor Transport Association, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association and Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association helped to support the event.
The panel featured LABI CEO Stephen Waguespack, who spoke on the need for improvements to the judiciary as well as to state leadership, the posting said. These improvements, Waguespack said, will help to ensure that the legal environment is more in touch with both families and businesses.
Marc Ehrhardt
| Courtesy of Grow Louisiana Coalition
Grow Louisiana Coalition Executive Director Marc Ehrhardt recently spoke with the Louisiana Record about the luncheon and why action is needed now to improve the legal climate of the state.
"We're at a pivotal point where everyone in Louisiana – not just businesses and elected leaders or specific parishes – needs to rally for change to our legal climate," Ehrhardt said.
Ehrhardt also stated that the lack of legal reform is costing the state in numerous ways. "It’s costing us new investments, jobs and tax revenues for state and local governments," he said.
However, there is hope for the future, especially if organizations with shared interests are able to band together to find practical and realistic solutions. "In working together and focusing on growing our state, we can create a brighter future for our families and communities," Ehrhardt said. "The Grow Louisiana Coalition, along with our partners, are working to educate and motivate Louisianians to do just that."