LMR_October FINAL 2018

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Legal Briefs ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE HURDLE?! BY KAREN DAY WHITE, EXECUTIVE COUNSEL News and social media outlets are littered lately with discussions of partisanship in the Louisiana Legislature, and how such a dynamic makes it very difficult to get even innocuous legislation passed. On top of regional and party interests, there is also an element of infringement from national groups, who attempt to insert their national political agenda into state (and sometimes even local) politics. Now, there is another obstacle for local government advocates to contend with: corporatism. This is an alarming trend whereby powerful private corporations use their influence to reduce, restrict, and prohibit local regulations of their industry. This dovetails into the recent rise in preemptive state legislation regarding local governments – from plastic bags, to parking, to zoning and taxation issues. Under the corporatism scheme, large trade associations leverage the power to push through legislation that would be harmful to state government in exchange for state preemption of local government authority. For example, during the 2018 legislative session in California, the American Beverage Association, who represents the major soda and sugar-sweetened beverage brands, proposed to push a measure onto the November ballot that would have seriously weakened the ability of California governments to raise revenue. They dropped that push in exchange for a ban on new local taxes on sweetened beverages until 2030. Other examples include the 25-state preemption of local minimum wage-setting, the 22-state ban on local workers earning paid sick days, and the 43-state preemption on locals establishing their own parameters for gun control. Whatever your opinion is on these issues, local governments are endowed with the authority to make the decisions that best reflect their community standards and goals. Given the myriad of proposed preemptive legislation at the Louisiana State Capitol in recent years, one is left to wonder how much is due to corporate pressure and national political action groups. Municipal leaders are in the best position to make decisions to ensure public safety, seek racial and economic equity, pursue quality of life measures, and provide for fair elections. Local governments can take charge of their own affairs in a way that provides full accountability to their citizens, and they should not live under constant threat of state interference because their local decisions cross corporate interests. The tiered system of democracy – federal, state, and local – only works if all three levels function effectively. The LMA, in collaboration with our local government partners, will continue to fight back against preemptive legislation, as we have consistently in the past. Your voice and your participation in our legislative efforts are essential to our success. Thank you for being engaged and watch for more calls to action during the next session. Looking for Salary Data? Through a partnership with SurveyNavigator, LMA members can find salary data for more than 60 jobs commonly found in Louisiana local government. With an easy online interface, Louisiana’s elected and appointed officials can make hiring and advancement decisions with confidence in the most current and accurate data Compare directly between munis Accurate and timely info Customized search and save available in the market. LaMATS CALL (225) 344-5001 or VISIT WWW.LAMATS.NET/SERVICES Page 6 LMR | October 2018
Inside the LMA Beauregard Parish Fair Oct 2-6, DeRidder beauregardparishfair.vpweb.com Hometown Happenings Bridge City Gumbo Festival Oct 12-14, Bridge City www.bridgecitygumbofestival.org Harvest Festival on False River Oct 19-21, New Roads www.harvestfestivalnewroads.com St. Tammany Parish Fair Oct 3-7, Covington www.sttammanyparishfair.info Tangipahoa Parish Fair Oct 3-7, Amite www.tangipahoaparishfair.org La Fete Des Vieux Temps Oct 5-7, Raceland Acadia Music Fest Oct 6, Thibodaux www.acadiamusicfest.net Antique Village Fall Festival Oct 6, Denham Springs www.denhamspringsantique district.com Beignet Fest Oct 6, New Orleans www.beignetfest.com Bloody Mary Festival Oct 6, Monroe www.downtownrivermarket.com Livingston Parish Fair Oct 9-14, Livingston www.livingstonparishfair.org Louisiana Cotton Festival Oct 9-14, Ville Platte www.louisianacottonfestival.com Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Oct 11-13, Zwolle www.zwolletamalefiesta.com Louisiana Cattle Festival & Fair Oct 12-14, Abbeville www.louisianacattlefestival.org Louisiana Gumbo Festival of Chackbay Oct 12-14, Thibodaux www.lagumbofest.com St. Peters Fishermen’s Festival Oct 12-14, Reserve www.stpeterreserve.org Teddy’s Bear Fest Oct 13, Tallulah Louisiana Tournoi De La Ville Platte Oct 14, Ville Platte www.louisianatournoi.com Calcasieu Cameron Parish Fair Oct 17-21, Sulphur www.calcamfair.com Washington Parish Free Fair Oct 17-20, Franklinton www.freefair.com International Rice Festival Oct 18-20, Crowley www.ricefestival.com St. John Andouille Festival Oct 19-20, LaPlace www.andouillefestival.com Louisiana Food & Music Festival Oct 20, Monroe www.downtownrivermarket.com Ragley Heritage & Timber Festival Oct 20, Ragley www.visitlakecharles.org Rougarou Fest Oct 20-21, Houma www.rougaroufest.org Greater Baton Rouge State Fair Oct 25 – Nov 8, Baton Rouge www.gbrsf.com State Fair of Louisiana Oct 25-Nov 11, Shreveport www.statefairoflouisiana.com French Food Festival Oct 26-28, Larose www.bayoucivicclub.org Sabine Free State Festival Oct 26-28, Many Holy Smoke BBQ Cook-off & Praise Festival Oct 27, DeQuincy LMR | October 2018 Page 7
Page 1 and 2: Louisiana Municipal Review PUBLISHE
Page 3 and 4: Inside the LMA Director’s Viewpoi
Page 5: Inside the LMA Governor’s Column
Page 9 and 10: Municipalities Condolences Mayor Pa
Page 11 and 12: A Word from Our Affiliates Premium
Page 13 and 14: A Word from Our Affiliates LMR | Oc
Page 15 and 16: Partner Insight Rural Development U
Page 17 and 18: Partner Insight Put Advance Refundi
Page 19 and 20: Sunday, October 21 12:00 p.m. - 5:0
Page 21 and 22: Feature Statement Of Proposed Const
Page 23 and 24: Feature Pre-Disaster Training and D

LMR_October FINAL 2018

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