On April 30, the Pelican Institute published a paper suggesting solutions for Louisiana to rid itself of its classification of a “legal swampland,” through a plan for regulatory reform as well as legal reform.
The plan is outlined in the group’s “A Jobs and Opportunity Agenda for Louisiana,” which outlines a nonpartisan policy aimed at improving the state’s economy and business climate.
Pelican Institute’s press release on the new plan outlines some of the driving factors behind the need for change, including a business climate which is “consistently ranking the worst in the nation,” as well as an economy which leaves little-to-no room for growth. Another area in need of change is that of lawsuits, which annually cost nearly $7 billion as is related to tort litigation-related expenses.
Pelican Institute hopes that their plan will help to bring common sense back to the state, improve jobs, do away with a jury trial threshold, increase judicial transparency and improve the quality of life for those who call Louisiana home.
James Baehr, general counsel for Pelican Institute for Public Policy commented on the many flaws in Louisiana and what the state must do if it want to remain relevant.
"From overreaching occupational licensing laws to predatory state-sanctioned litigation against the state’s largest job creators, legal and regulatory issues continue to stifle hard-working Louisiana families’ access to quality jobs and opportunity,” Baehr told Louisiana Record.
Louisiana will have a lot of work to do if it wants to be a major player in the years to come, and Pelican Institute’s plan might be exactly what is needed to ensure that future for the state.
“If Louisiana wants to be competitive nationwide or even in our region, we must make transformational reforms to our legal and regulatory structures to eliminate overregulation and ensure impartiality in the legal system,” Baehr said.
Follow this link to read the full detailed paper from Pelican Institute.